Step through the gates of Paignton Zoo this summer and you’re not just entering a wildlife park – you’re stepping into a full-blown global expedition.
From virtual rainforest treks to stamp-hunting safari trails, this Devon-based gem has pulled out all the stops for families looking to mix fun with discovery over the holidays. Whether you’re gliding through the sky with flamingos or getting up close with Manny the rhino, there’s more than one way to go wild this season.
In a year when the rising cost of living has parents rethinking how to entertain the kids, Paignton Zoo’s summer programme feels like a well-timed gift: accessible, inclusive, and packed with fresh ways to connect with nature.
Into the Wild (Without Leaving Devon)
The headline act for the summer is without doubt the brand-new Wild Immersion virtual reality experience, the first of its kind in South West England. Powered by technology developed by a Paris-based team and endorsed by the Jane Goodall Institute, the immersive headset experience drops visitors straight into the heart of threatened ecosystems across the globe.
“It’s been here for about a week and a half now,” explained Sam Crowter, visitor services assistant. “We’re showing different videos from the Amazonia through to Europe – parrots, primates, cheetahs, you name it. You get immersed into the world of the planet that we live on.”
It’s a ten-minute VR journey through some of the planet’s most stunning – and vulnerable – environments. Whether you fancy a swim with whales or a trek across the tundra with reindeer and Arctic foxes, the visuals are breathtaking. Sam’s personal favourite? “The Europe one,” he said, “it feels relaxing when you are flying along and seeing nature.”
And it’s not just a visual feast. The VR is fully interactive with 360-degree footage and authentic natural sounds that make you forget you’re standing a few metres from Baboon Rock.
For £5 per person, visitors can choose between two different videos – or simply watch both. And the impact isn’t just entertainment: “The message is, take care of the planet,” Sam said. “Because we are part of nature as it is part of us.”
The Great Summer Expedition
If you prefer your adventures with your feet on the ground, Paignton Zoo’s Great Summer Expedition is the kind of wholesome, family-friendly challenge that blends exploration with education.
“We have a logbook that families collect as soon as they arrive at the zoo,” said Lorraine Richardson, another of the zoo’s visitor service experience assistants. “It covers different animals throughout the zoo. They learn all about the animal as they go around. They get little stamps, and then when they come back, they receive a certificate. It’s amazing.”
The trail spans ten global habitats, from the Australian bush to Indo-Pacific islands, with each area home to a selection of animals that families must find to earn their stamps. Everyone gets the same logbook, making it a shared activity for visitors of all ages.
Adding a playful touch is Penelope Pippin, the zoo’s resident explorer character, who appears along the trail to help families find animals and issue stamps with her theatrical flair.
“Every corner you turn there’s always something there,” Lorraine said. “What they get out of it – they learn about the animals themselves but also about our conservation work, which is really important to us.”
Even better, it’s all included in the price of your standard admission – a welcome feature at a time when summer outings can stack up quickly in cost.
Meet the Locals (The Animal Ones and the Human Ones)
The zoo is home to over 2,000 animals, from the majestic to the obscure – and some of the best insight into their lives comes directly from the keepers themselves.
Liam Southern, senior keeper of hoofstock, starts each day by checking the animals, feeding them and plenty of cleaning. “90% of the job is picking up poo,” he said. His team look after giraffes, rhinos, and even red river hogs, making sure the enclosures are spotless and ready for summer guests.
This season, the warm weather means more time outdoors for animals like the giraffes, who are always a hit with visitors. “You can feed and get really close to the giraffes, or Manny the rhino,” Liam said. “You can even do a keeper-for-the-day experience – you’re here all day feeding a variety of animals including primates, hoofstock, reptiles, and birds.”
He hopes visitors take away “a bit of fun,” he said. “A lot of people associate zoos quite negatively, so having an amazing experience helps them see a different side.”
Over in education and public talks, Jason Woodcock, a ranger at the zoo, has been engaging visitors since 2019 – except for a year’s pause during Covid. “I don’t really look after any of the animals,” he said, “but I do animal talks, help with school groups, Wild Week, and our summer programme.”
His summer days involve racing between talks at giraffes and gorillas, helping kids with the expedition trail, and sharing facts about lesser-known residents like the skunks – two three-month-old sisters that recently joined the zoo. “They’ve been pretty active at the moment, right next to the education centre,” he said.
Jason’s proud of what the zoo offers for all types of visitors. “If you’ve never been, I’d definitely recommend it,” he said. “We’re the only collection in the UK that has kiwis. We’ve also got an echidna – a kind of egg-laying mammal related to the platypus – and some roadrunners too.”
Big Fun with a Big Purpose
Beneath all the excitement, the zoo hasn’t lost sight of its bigger mission: conservation. Whether it’s through the VR experience’s environmental message or the expedition’s focus on habitat education, each attraction is designed to deepen the public’s understanding of the planet’s precarious biodiversity.
“It highlights the fantastic work the zoo does for everybody,” Lorraine explained. “It’s about more than just seeing animals – it’s learning about the planet.”
And that’s not just talk. Every pound spent on VR sessions goes straight back into conservation efforts. The new tech was launched following direct feedback from visitors who wanted more interactive experiences, proving that the zoo isn’t just reacting to trends, but actively listening to its community.
With visitor numbers already reaching around 2,000 a day, and glowing feedback coming from families across the country, Paignton Zoo’s summer strategy appears to be paying off.
Whether it’s a child receiving their first expedition certificate or a family mesmerised by a virtual dive into the ocean, the experiences here are designed to stay with you – long after you’ve left the car park.
Plan Your Visit
So, what are you waiting for? The VR sessions run daily from 10:30am to 1:30pm and 2:30pm to 5:00pm, open to anyone aged six and above. And the Great Summer Expedition is included in your standard admission – no hidden extras.
For those seeking even more adventure, book an animal encounter or keeper-for-the-day package through the zoo’s website.
