Summer just wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the zoo. The girls absolutely love it, and it is always such a lovely, long day out. One of our go-to spots when we visit my mum in Norfolk is Thrigby Wildlife Gardens in Filby, and if you haven’t been yet, pop it on your must-visit list!
It is the perfect size for little legs, with enough animals to keep the kiddies in awe but not so big that they get worn out by lunchtime.
Thrigby Wildlife Gardens Ticket Prices
Adult – £18.50 online | £19.95 at the gate
Child (4–16) – £14.50 online | £15.95 at the gate
Senior (60+) – £17.50 online | £18.95 at the gate
Disabled/Carer – £9.25 online | £9.95 at the gate (proof required)
Under 3s – FREE
Booking online saves a little, and you skip the queue too!
Cockatoo Café & Picnic Spots
We arrived just after 12pm, so we started the day with lunch at the Cockatoo Café. I had a jacket potato with cheese, beans, and a side salad, really tasty and only £6!. If you are trying to keep costs down, you are welcome to bring your own food. There are plenty of picnic areas, and we have done sandwiches and flasks in the past, and it is just as lovely.
Here is a handy tip: give the kids the map! Letting them choose what animal to see next made it feel like their adventure, and no moaning when we finished the trail and headed back to the entrance.
Animal Highlights
The meerkats were the cutest we have ever seen, nibbling grapes and cucumber. One was digging away like he was after buried treasure, so sweet! My favourite, though, were the Visayan warty pigs. They are super rare, only found in the Philippines, and sadly, critically endangered. Thrigby lets you adopt an animal, and your name goes on a plaque by the enclosure, such a special touch.
Nila got a little scared of the python, thinking he might escape…. spoiler: he didn’t! and the alligators were spookily still. We weren’t sure if they were real until one blinked!
We also saw:
Red Panda (camera shy!)
Leopards, all kinds!
Golden Cat
Tiger
Monty the Moluccan Cockatoo
Four types of monkeys: Buff Cheeked Gibbon, Siamang Gibbon, Sulawesi Crested Macaque, and White-handed Gibbon
The Sulawesi Macaque gave us a right laugh, totally unbothered by us watching him eat, like “excuse me, I’m busy here!”
Family Play Area
To end the day, we visited the Family Play Area. Nila let off some steam while we had an ice cream . There’s also a toddler zone and another great picnic area here too
We spent just over 3½ hours there and honestly had the best time. If you are visiting Great Yarmouth in Norfolk with kids, Thrigby Wildlife Gardens is 100% worth a trip; it is fun, educational, and full of family memories.
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