Pets Love To Talk

An animal sanctuary where visitors can actually interact with the residents rather than just gawk through glass - that's the appeal of Pets Love To Talk. Located in Greater London, this place lets you get hands-on with a range of creatures, from small mammals to birds, with the idea being that you'll learn about animal behaviour and communication in the process.

The setup is fairly informal. You're encouraged to handle and feed animals, which means small children absolutely love it, though honestly it can feel a bit chaotic when groups arrive at the same time. The staff seem genuinely knowledgeable about their animals, which elevates it beyond a typical petting zoo experience. You'll easily spend two to three hours here if you're not rushing.

It works brilliantly as a half-day stop if you're staying at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping, which is just under six miles away - close enough for a morning visit without eating into the rest of your park time. The glamping site itself is solid for a London-area base, and combining it with this kind of hands-on animal experience means kids won't just be sitting around the caravan.

Admission prices aren't listed here, so ring ahead to check costs and whether you need to book. Given that it's not a massive sprawling zoo, managing expectations helps - it's more intimate than grand. Perfect for families wanting something interactive rather than a full day of traditional zoo walking.