Wild Discovery

Wild Discovery sits on the outskirts of Preston, a proper working zoo where you can get up close with animals rather than gawping at them from behind vast enclosures. The setup is intimate - think rescued and bred creatures in fairly compact spaces, with the emphasis on interaction and learning rather than grand African savanna sweeping vistas.

You'll walk through different animal zones, handle smaller creatures if conditions allow, and watch keepers do their thing with the bigger residents. It's the sort of place where staff actually seem to know each animal's personality, not just their Latin name. Families with younger kids will get the most from it - there's enough to occupy a solid couple of hours without exhaustion setting in, and the hands-on element keeps attention better than a traditional zoo might.

Practically, bring weather-appropriate shoes because you'll be outside for most of it. Opening times and admission fees aren't listed online, so ringing ahead is essential before you visit - nothing worse than showing up to a closed gate with disappointed children in the car.

For a park holiday based near Preston, Wild Discovery works as a half-day outing rather than your entire day's entertainment. Ribby Hall Village is barely a quarter-mile away, making it dead convenient if you're staying there. Pair it with a walk around Preston's parks or a browse of the town centre, and you've got a solid day without overthinking it.