Blackpool Zoo opened its gates on 6 July 1972 on the site of the former Stanley Park Aerodrome in Blackpool, Lancashire. What began as a modest collection has grown into a 32-acre wildlife park that ranks among the northwest of England’s most visited attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of families every year to its mix of exotic animals, educational exhibits, and hands-on experiences.
Today the zoo is home to around 1,350 animals representing species from across the globe, including Bornean orangutans, western lowland gorillas, and Asian elephants. Owned by Parques Reunidos and accredited by BIAZA and EAZA, Blackpool Zoo balances conservation work with entertainment, offering everything from a miniature railway to a dedicated Big Cat Habitat that opened in 2023.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, England
- Opened: 6 July 1972
- Size: 32 acres (13 hectares)
- Animal count: About 1,350 animals
- Annual visitors: Around 350,000
- Famous for: Orangutans, gorillas, elephants, and the Big Cat Habitat
The Animal Collection
Blackpool Zoo’s collection spans continents, with signature exhibits including Project Elephant Base Camp, home to Asian elephants, and Orangutan Outlook and Gorilla Mountain, which house the zoo’s Bornean orangutans and western lowland gorillas. In 2023 the zoo opened its Big Cat Habitat, giving African lions and Amur tigers a redeveloped home, adding to a collection that already ranged from big cats to smaller mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Beyond the headline species, the zoo maintains a Children’s Farm and an Active Oceans area, giving younger visitors close encounters with domestic and aquatic animals alongside the more exotic residents. The breadth of the collection reflects the zoo’s membership in BIAZA and EAZA, organizations that set standards for conservation-focused zoos across Britain and Europe.
Visiting Blackpool Zoo
The zoo’s flat, 32-acre layout is fully wheelchair accessible and is traversed by a 15-inch gauge miniature railway that runs 820 yards through the grounds, giving visitors an easy way to cover the site. Families can also explore the Dinosaur Safari, a trail of more than thirty life-size fiberglass dinosaur statues that reopened after renovation in July 2019, alongside a Playbarn soft play facility and several dining outlets.
Since its 1972 opening, when 3,543 people visited on day one, the zoo has welcomed millions of guests, a milestone it marked when it greeted its 15 millionth visitor. That steady popularity has made it a fixture of the Fylde coast’s tourism scene, complementing Blackpool’s seaside attractions with a full day of wildlife viewing.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
Blackpool Zoo FAQs
When did Blackpool Zoo open?
Blackpool Zoo opened on 6 July 1972 on the former site of Stanley Park Aerodrome in Blackpool, Lancashire.
How big is Blackpool Zoo?
The zoo covers about 32 acres (13 hectares) and is entirely flat, making it wheelchair and pushchair accessible.
What animals can you see at Blackpool Zoo?
The zoo is home to roughly 1,350 animals, including Bornean orangutans, western lowland gorillas, Asian elephants, African lions, and Amur tigers.
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Photo: Barbary lion at en.wikipedia / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.