The Little Zoo - Wolf Experiences - by appointment only

You won't just walk around looking at wolves behind glass here - you'll actually get up close with them, which is the whole point of booking an appointment at this Somerset outfit near Bradford-on-Avon. It's a proper hands-on experience, the kind of thing that gets under your skin once you've locked eyes with a real wolf from just a few metres away. Most zoos feel passive. This doesn't.

The setup is small and deliberately intimate. You're not herding through crowds or fighting for a view - you're in a controlled group with trained handlers who genuinely know their animals and won't bore you with scripted chat. Families with older kids (teens especially) find it gripping, though younger children might find the intensity a bit much if they're not prepared for how present these animals feel. It's also brilliant for adults who've got into wolf documentaries and want to see the real thing rather than another big cat enclosure.

Since it's by appointment only, you need to ring ahead and book your slot - no turning up on spec. Expect to spend a couple of hours maximum, which fits neatly into a broader day exploring the area. Campwell Farm is just under two miles away if you're basing yourselves in a caravan, or you've got Widbrook Barns and Stowford Manor Farm nearby for decent camping options. Bradford-on-Avon itself is worth an afternoon with its stone bridges and riverside walks. The wolf experience is the draw though - it's genuinely different from standard zoo fare.