Isle of Wight Zoo - Visit the Big-Cats!

Isle of Wight Zoo Home to Britain's largest collection of tigers, this award winning zoo has been a dedicated ally to the tiger for over a quarter of a century.

 

The IOW Zoo is best known for it's work with exotic cats. We have been home to many members of the cat family including tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, pumas, servals, jungle cats and leopard cats. In the past we operated a successful big cat breeding programme. However, in recent years we have suspended our breeding programme in order to create a centre for surplus or rescued big cats. Our big cats have come to us at different stages of their lives and from a variety of backgrounds. We strive to encourage the social development and natural behaviour of each cat in our care. Every species of big cat residing at the zoo is currently under considerable threat in it's natural habitat.

For several years the species of cat we have chosen to specialise in has been the tiger. We are now catering for one of the largest collections of tigers in Europe in our expanding and developing Tiger Sanctuary.

 

Planning Your Visit

2008 Opening Hours

16th February - 31st March10am to 4pm
1st April - 30th September10am to 6pm
(last admission 5pm)
1st October - 31st October10am to 4pm
November weekends10am to 4pm
(weather permitting)

2008 Admission Rates

Adults£5.95
Seniors£4.95
Children (5-16yrs)£4.95
Children (under 5yrs)FREE

Family tickets:

2 + 2£19.75
2 + 3£23.75
2 + 4£27.50
2 + 5£31.50
2 + 6£34.60
Group Discount (10+)£4.50 flat rate
Holiday Camp£4.50 flat rate
Island Residents
(with proof of residency)		£4.00 flat rate

Presentation Schedule

  • 10:30 Big Cat Tour
  • 11:45 Lemur Feeding and Conservation Talk
  • 12:30 Jeepers Creepers
  • 13:00 Ask the Keeper
  • 14:30 Monkey Enrichment
  • 15:30 Big Cat Tour
  • *16:30 Jeepers Creepers
  • *17:00 Ask the Keeper

* These last two talks take place from1st April to 30th September only, due to reduced opening hours in winter.

Click here for a more in-depth description of the presentations.

Facilities

  • Free coach and car park
  • Children's Play Area
  • Café - serves hot/cold food and drink
  • Shop - has a comprehensive selection of souvenirs for all ages including: soft toys, stationary, books, ornaments, puzzles, t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, mounted and framed pictures of the animals.
  • Disabled access throughout
  • Baby Changing Facility

How to find us

The Isle of Wight Zoo is situated on the eastern side of the Island overlooking Sandown Bay's beautiful seafront complete with safe, sandy beaches and cliff walks. Sandown is clearly sign posted from all the main towns and ferry terminals. For visitors travelling without their own transport there is a good bus service throughout most of the Island to Sandown town centre. There is also a rail service from Ryde Pier Head to Sandown Station. The Zoo is a short distance from the town centre along the seafront towards the white cliff end of the bay. A seasonal dotto train provides a frequent service bringing visitors from a variety of points in the town to the Zoo's entrance. An open topped bus service links other parts of the Island to the zoo.
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