Conserving rare and endangered species, with experiences beyond those of normal zoos: Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, a great trip from Tunbridge Wells.
A visit to the 300-acre Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is not just a fun day out for the family.
It is also an eco-conscious experience for those who care about the conservation of animals.
The animal park, which is easily accessible from Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas, brings a taste of the exotic African Savannah to Kent.
With its main objectives including:
To halt the extinction of rare and endangered animals.
To re-introduce animals back to the wild where possible.
and
To be world leaders in the breeding of animals.
……..Port Lympne is a wild animal experience with a heart.
Run by the John Aspinall Foundation, both Port Lympne and its sister zoo Howletts aim to make conservation of animals their first priority.
The parks’ far-reaching breeding achievements include a black rhino herd, with over 27 births.
And Port Lympne is at the global forefront of breeding the rare and endangered clouded leopard.
Other animals involved in the projects are fishing cats, lynx, snow leopards and rare ocelots.
Both tigers and the rare and exotic Siberian tigers, which number only 3 to 4000 in the wild, are featured at the park.
And the rare Barbary lions, extinct in the wild, can also bee seen.
A large variety of rare and exotic animals can be seen, either by walking or on the park hopper tours.
The parks, as well as being fun, are educational, presenting children from Tunbridge Wells and the whole of the South East with the chance to experience exotic animals in a habitat as close to their own as is possible.
Attractions at the park, near Hythe, include:
- Lions in a glass-fronted enclosure
- The world’s largest breeding herd of Black Rhino outside Africa
- Park Hopper Tours
- A primate enclosure
- The world’s largest family gorilla house
- Port Lympne mansion
- A conservatory restaurant
Sited on land surrounding the last historic house to be built in the 20th Century, the whole experience at Port Lympne animal park has a unique feel.
The house itself is open to the public and over the years has entertained famous people from Charlie Chaplin to Lawrence of Arabia.
The 15.5 acre gardens attached to the spectacular house are stunning in their own right.
Originally cut out of the old sea cliffs overlooking the English Channel they are one of a kind.
Attractions vary from avenues of lime trees to a rare private vineyard and the Chess Board Garden.
Plenty to see and do for visitors from Tunbridge Wells.
For information on the park or the Zoo animals call 01303 264 647 between 9am and 5pm seven days a week. Or visit the website using the link above.
Howletts park is easily reached from Tunbridge Wells,and is open every day except Christmas day, from 10am.
A great day out for all the family, enjoy rare and exotic animals, stunning scenery, activities and fun for all, a short trip from Tunbridge Wells.
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