Great for schools, scouts and guide groups
We want to make it as simple as possible for you to get the most from your visit, so we offer a range of benefits to make planning your school or youth group visit stress free. You can choose from a range of curriculum linked talks and workshops to add to your day out.
See conservation in action! Your visit will help to fund not only the care of the animals here at Howletts Wild Animal Park but will also support our overseas projects. Your ticket will help to fund not only the care of the animals here at Howletts Wild Animal Park but will also support our overseas projects. Thanks to the generosity of visitors like you, we - in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation (charity number 326567) - have released more than 70 gorillas back to the wild and our released gorillas have had over 35 wild births! In Indonesia, we have released 41 Javan gibbons, 14 Javan grizzled langurs and 125 Javan ebony langurs. The Indonesian primates have over 35 wild births. We have also transferred 8 black rhino from our Kent parks to Africa, who have produced 25 offspring between them. Find out more about our conservation work around the world.. If you would like to help us further we can provide some fundraising ideas for your school, please contact us.
What's Included?
Howletts is home to over 390 animals, including Kent’s only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, and more gorillas, leopards and monkeys than any zoo in the county!
As well as all the amazing animals in our 90 acre park, your students will discover our COOLEST attraction Animals of the Ice Age, play parks and more. You can also join in our FREE animal talks.
To help your school trip run smoothly we offer free admission for one teacher/supervisor with every 5 paying children. We also provide plenty of free parking for coaches and free admission for your coach drivers. Two free familiarisation tickets are available for teachers to visit the park and pre plan the best routes to take and complete risk assessments.
School talks and workshops
Our curriculum linked school talks and workshops cover a variety of topics for all key stages. Choose from a range of interactive animal talks and workshops to make your Kent school trip even more memorable!
Find out moreJULY 2019
Foreland Fields School
My class and I had the best visit. We cannot thank you enough for organising such an amazing day for my children. I will recommend Howletts to all the staff at the schools I work with. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
JULY 2019
Jac. P. Thijsse College, The Netherlands
I would like to thank you for the visit me, my colleagues and students have made last Wednesday. They really enjoyed it. The guides were very good, so give them a compliment. Their level of English was perfect for our Dutch students. Hope to visit you again next year.
Pre Arrival
Pre visit tickets
Once you've completed your booking, we offer two free familiarisation tickets for teachers to visit the park and pre plan the best routes to take and complete risk assessments. We can also arrange for one of our Rangers to meet you to discuss your visit.
Risk Assessment
We have completed our own comprehensive risk assessments to assist you with your visit. Risk assessments are also available with your booking confirmation.
Download risk assessment
What to wear
Sensible footwear for lots of walking around the 90 acre park and rucksacks for carrying packed lunches are advised. Children need to come to the park prepared for all weathers. Please note that covered areas are limited at the park.
Lunch facilities
There are many picnic areas in the park which are available on a first come first served basis. If you have any special requirements for lunch, or require a packed lunch please let us know and we’ll be delighted to arrange.
Accessibility
Howletts is mostly flat terrain, though there are some gentle slopes. For those needing assistance, the park has wheelchairs and push chairs available to hire throughout the park, subject to availability. Wheelchair accessible toilets are available in four different locations around the park.
Supervision
We offer one free adult admission for every 5 paying children to ensure that your school group has adequate supervision. We do not allow groups of unaccompanied children in the park. To assist in maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for all our visitors we ask that all pupils are effectively supervised at all times.
Getting here
Howletts wild animal park lies just off the A2 past Canterbury. It is also a short distance from Folkestone and the southern coast of Kent. For Sat Nav please use Post code CT4 5EL.
Opening times
Summer (1 April - 27 October) Open 9:30am to 6:00pm. Winter (29 October - 31 March) Open 9:30am to 5pm. On Christmas Eve we're open from 9:30am to 2pm.
Coaches
We have ample space for coaches in our visitor car park. Parking is free and coach drivers have complimentary access to the Reserve.
Frequently asked questions
Below you'll find a list of our most commonly asked questions:
Are there any free public talks we can attend?
All the public talks times are marked on the information board located around the park. Please note that depending on time of year and bookings on the day there may not be any public talks on the day of your visit.
What if one of our pupils go missing?
We do ask that all children under the age of 16 are supervised by an adult at all times. However, if one of your pupils does get separated from your group please contact the main office on 01227 721286 or speak to any member of staff and we will assist you.
What if someone in our group requires first aid?
We have a number of trained first aiders in the park. In the unfortunate situation you require a first aider then please contact the main office on 01227 721286 or speak to any member of staff and we will arrange a first aider to come to your location.
Are we able to visit the gift shop when we visit the park?
Yes! We do ask that teachers supervise pupils in our gift shop at all times. Numbers may need to be limited if you are attending in a large group. Our staff will be happy to assist in accommodating your school group.
Is there anywhere we can eat our lunch?
There are many picnic areas in the park available on a first come first served basis. If you have any special requirements for lunch, or require packed lunches please let us know and we’ll be delighted to arrange.
