Kevendys Travel

Kevendys Travel is a zoo operation based near Billericay in Essex, though it's worth noting upfront that information about opening hours, admission fees and current operations is thin on the ground. Before you drive out that way, I'd suggest ringing ahead or checking their website directly - nothing worse than arriving at a gate to find it shut.

If it's up and running, it's the sort of place that works best with younger children and casual animal enthusiasts rather than serious zoo-goers expecting the scale of somewhere like Colchester Zoo. Family groups camping at Barleylands or Stuarts Wood - both within four miles - could happily combine a half-day visit here with the surrounding countryside and local attractions. Stuarts Wood especially scores highly with visitors, which suggests the area has genuine appeal beyond just one stop.

The Essex landscape around Billericay is genuinely pleasant for a longer stay. You're close enough to the Thames Valley but far enough out to feel properly rural. A zoo visit makes sense as a rainy-day option or a gentle afternoon rather than the headline event of your trip. Allow a couple of hours maximum if animals are your thing.

Given the lack of reliable information online, this feels like the sort of place that's either operating on a quiet, local basis or possibly in transition. Worth investigating before booking your campsite nearby, but if you're staying in the area anyway, it might be worth a punt.