Zebras- Whipsnade Zoo

The zebra enclosure at Whipsnade Zoo sits on the Chiltern escarpment east of Dunstable, and it's genuinely one of the better reasons to spend a morning here. The animals are kept in a decent-sized paddock where you can actually see them properly - not squashed against viewing glass like some zoos manage. The stripes catch the light differently depending on the time of day, which sounds daft until you're standing there watching them shift from pure black-and-white to almost grey in the afternoon sun.

This is a working zoo, not just a zebra showcase, so you'll need to budget at least three hours to see the rest of the place properly. Kids under twelve will be entertained for a good while, though there's a fair bit of walking involved - wear proper shoes. The zebras themselves are fairly active in the morning before the heat kicks in, so get there early if you want to see them grazing rather than standing still in the shade.

It's a paid attraction, so factor that into your budget. If you're based at Hill Farm And Orchard or Fuzzy's Farm nearby, Whipsnade makes a solid half-day or full-day trip to break up a park holiday. The surrounding Chiltern countryside is lovely for walking afterwards. Weather matters - come when it's overcast rather than blazing hot, and you'll see more animal movement. Worth the journey from the holiday parks? Yes, if you've got young kids who are into animals. Adults without children might find it a bit drawn out.