Things to see & do > Animal parks
More things to see and do in and around Weymouth
Weymouth Sea Life Park & Marine Sanctuary
Just a short walk from our bed and breakfast is Weymouth's Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary. Set in six acres of ground, the Park is home to hundreds of sea creatures, including Humboldt penguins, a family of Asian short clawed otters and rescue seals. The Park also contains the National Seahorse Breeding & Conservation Centre and the new AmaZone, a new interactive section bringing alive the sights, sounds and creatures of the Amazon rainforest. The Park offers a good mix of indoor and outdoor activities for all the family with daily demonstrations and feeding displays.
Monkey World
Monkey World is an internationally renowned rehabilitation centre for apes and monkeys set in 65 acres of the Dorset countryside, just north of Wool. Visitors can see at close hand over 160 primates of 16 different species in large enclosures designed to reflect their natural habitats. At the same time you can gain a unique insight into the conservation work carried out at the centre. For the children, Monkey World boasts the largest adventure play area on the south coast.
Abbotsbury Swannery
For over 600 years this colony of friendly mute swans has made its home at Abbotsbury. Sheltered by the famous Chesil Beach, this ancient and special site provides protection for hundreds of nesting swans and their broods. Incredibly, from the end of May you can wander safely around the nests, observing at close quarters the antics of the fluffy cygnets. Spectacular mass feeding sessions of up to 600 swans occur twice daily.
Kingston Maurward Gardens & Animal Park
Set in a classical 18th century Capability Brown style parkland just outside Dorchester with majestic lawns sweeping down from the Grade 1 listed Georgian house to a beautiful ornamental lake. Kingston Maurward has formal Edwardian gardens, a Japanese style garden and houses the National Collection of Penstemons and Salvias. The Animal Park contains a wide and interesting collection of small, medium and large animals which will be of interest to all ages. These include donkeys, miniature Shetland ponies, rabbits, sheep, pigs and calves.
Also Worth a Visit...
Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park at Chard - more than 600 animals from around the world including a pair of very rare Amur leopards.
Farmer Palmer's near Wareham - petting and feeding farm for the younger children.
Putlake Adventure Farm near Swanage - 50 breeds of animals and a walk-through aviary, voted the best family attraction in Dorset 2001.
Llama trekking near Beaminster - enjoy a leisurely walk leading gentle llamas through the Dorset countryside.
