Welsh Mountain Zoo, Zoo in Colwyn Bay, United Kingdom.
Welsh Mountain Zoo is a zoo set on a hillside above Colwyn Bay on the North Wales coast, with enclosures for big cats, birds, marine animals, and species from many parts of the world. The grounds include planted gardens, wooded sections, and purpose-built habitats spread across a sloping site.
The zoo opened in 1963 on land above Colwyn Bay and gradually grew from a local attraction into a center focused on breeding endangered species. Over the following decades, it built links with conservation programs across Europe and beyond.
The Welsh Mountain Zoo is one of only a few zoos in Wales, and it holds a special place for people across the region who grew up visiting it. Staff members often talk openly with visitors during feeding times, which gives the place a personal feel that larger zoos rarely have.
The site sits on a slope, so sturdy footwear is a good idea since paths between sections go uphill and downhill. Feeding sessions for different animal groups run at set times during the day, so it helps to check the schedule when you arrive.
The zoo has recorded the birth of Margay twins, which is very rare for this small wild cat from South America that is seldom bred in captivity. The Margay is known for its ability to climb down trees headfirst, a skill almost no other cat can manage.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
