Dartmoor Zoological Park, Zoo in Sparkwell, Devon, United Kingdom.
Description
Dartmoor Zoological Park is a 33-acre facility in Sparkwell where lions, tigers, jaguars, and pumas live in habitats designed to resemble their natural environments. Walking through the grounds, you encounter various enclosures positioned throughout the property to showcase these and other animals.
History
Ellis Daw founded the facility in 1968 on the Goodamoor Estate, which includes a building dating back to the 1600s. The property grew over decades into the operation that exists today.
Culture
The park transformed into a charitable organization in 2014, deepening its focus on wildlife protection and visitor education. Today, you can watch feeding demonstrations and talks that reveal how staff work with the animals daily.
Practical
The park sits around 15 minutes from Plymouth and is straightforward to reach by car. Plan to spend several hours walking through the grounds at a relaxed pace to see the animals properly.
Did you know?
Benjamin Mee's 2008 book about purchasing and restoring this place caught the attention of Hollywood, resulting in a film adaptation starring Matt Damon. The story brought the park unexpected recognition beyond its immediate region.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Dartmoor).
Boringdon Hall
4.3 km
Plympton House
4.2 km
Newnham Park
2.6 km
Boringdon Camp
4.1 km
Church of St Maurice, Plympton
4.4 km
The Rectory
4.5 km
The Lodge
4.7 km
The Guildhall
4.6 km
The Pent House
4.5 km
Plympton Castle
4.5 km
Island House
4.4 km
Church of St Mary Blessed Virgin
4.8 km
Church of St Michael
2.5 km
Church of All Saints
539 m
Sparkwell Bridge
1.4 km
The Slade
1.6 km
Plympton Library
4.6 km
Lotherton Bridge
4.6 km
Langham Bridge
2.8 km
Education Offices (former Grammar School)
4.4 km
Blachford Viaduct Including Adjacent Piers Of Earlier Viaduct
2.6 km
Moor Bridge
1.4 km
Blackaton Cross
5 km
Bowl barrow at Emmets Post
5.1 km
Remains Of Cross
4.5 km
Milepost, Plympton St Mary, Ridgeway, 30m W of Manor Park Close
4 km
Slade Viaduct
1.8 km
Cholwich Town Cross: a wayside cross between Quick Bridge and Tolchmoor Gate
3 km
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes