We are closed
Coronavirus update: 4th January 2021 - In light of the recent government announcement placing the UK under alert level 5 and the reinstatement of a nationwide lockdown, we have closed Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park to the public. We are awaiting further government guidance and will work to reopen the both parks to guests as soon as it is appropriate to do so. We will be contacting guests with upcoming bookings to advise them on next steps.
As a charity, we appreciate your support and understanding. This is an unprecedented situation and during these incredibly challenging times we ask you to consider donating to our Animal Support Fund and contribute towards the feeding and care of our animals.
Donate to Animal Support FundStart your day off right
Booking tickets online is the fastest and simplest way to start your adventure. Save up to 15% when you book your single visit tickets online, up until midnight the day before your visit.
Book your ticketsRefresh & relax
Playtime
Shop
Refresh & relax
Refresh and refuel during your day at our café, restaurant or seasonal kiosks. Choose a freshly made baguette or treat and drink at The Coffee House café, or a hot meal, salad, or snack at The Pavilion Restaurant with a daily specials menu! During the season, our kiosks sell ice cream, donuts, waffles, cold drinks and even pasta, burgers and hotdogs and will be open around the park (please check our notice boards in park for opening hours).
Playtime
Take a break and let the kids go wild and mimic the animals they’ve seen, as they explore our play area near The Pavilion Restaurant.
Shop
Treat yourselves to lovely gifts and souvenirs from our well stocked gift shops. Choose semi precious stones, crystals, jewellery, toys and more at our Jurassic Mine shop, near the Pavilion Restaurant or go wild at the Gatehouse and choose from books, toys, paintings, ornaments, cuddly animals and more. Don’t forget to buy eggs, bread, jams and other fresh produce in our Farm Shop too!
What's on
Find out what's on at Howletts.
Opening times
We are open every day except Christmas Day!
Winter (28 October - 31 March)
Effective from 4th - 31st January 2021, Howletts Wild Animal park will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Catering will continue to be offered on a limited, takeaway only basis and Treetop Challenge will remain closed.
We're open from 9:30am to 5pm. Last admission 3:30pm.
On Christmas Eve we're open from 9:30am to 2pm. Last admission 1:30pm.
On Boxing Day we're open 10:30 to 5pm. Last admission 3pm.
Summer (1 April - 27 October)
We're open from 9:30am to 6:00pm. Last admission 4:30pm.
Getting here
Howletts Wild Animal Park is located in Bekesbourne, Kent in the South East of England, just three miles south of Canterbury. Easy to find by car or by public transport come and visit us today. Howletts is within approximately one and a half hours’ drive of most locations in Surrey, Sussex and Essex, and is within easy reach of London.
By Car
Howletts wild animal park is in the South East corner of Kent and lies just off the A2 past Canterbury. It is also a short distance from Folkestone and the southern coast of England.
If you are travelling via car and prefer to use a Sat Nav please use Post code CT4 5EL.
By Public Transport
Howletts wild animal park is a 90 minute train journey from Victoria station in London which travels directly to Bekesbourne station.
Park Accessibility
We have endeavoured to ensure we can consistently deliver an inclusive environment for our visitors, providing an experience that can be used by everyone, regardless of age, gender or disability. Throughout the development of the park we have sought ways to break down any unnecessary physical barriers and continue to listen to the needs of our customers.
- The terrain is generally flat tarmac paths with a few gentle slopes.
- The park is bisected by a relatively steep slope. Help is available for wheelchair users - please ask a member of staff.
- There is a slight slope into the gatehouse at the entrance to the park.
- Designated disabled parking is located next to the Gatehouse and entrance to the park on a concrete surface.
- The majority of the park is accessible via ramped or level access.
- Wheelchairs are available for hire from the Gatehouse.
- Disabled toilets and baby changing facilities are available throughout the park
- Assistance dogs are not permitted in the park.
For more in depth accessibility information, we recommend you download our access guide.
