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Welcome

Lotherton’s zoo, Wildlife World, is a continued development of the original Bird Garden which has been a part of the estate since the 1980s.

Meet playful Humboldt penguins as they splash about in their pool, see flamingos in their habitat and say hello to the resident tapir. Plus many more animals!

We invite you to get to know the animals, how they live and what we can do to protect their future.

Wildlife World is located within the grounds of Lotherton where further facilities and toilets can be found.

Wildlife World entrance. A welcome sign next to the path.

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Coastal ZoneForest ZoneTropical ZoneWildlife World gift shopNocturnal HouseNestbox Education CentreZoo enclosures
We have a viewing area for wheelchair users.

Hearing

The fire alarm has flashing lights.
Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

General

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.
Some staff have disability awareness training.

Getting here

Lotherton
Lotherton Lane
Aberford, Leeds
LS25 3EB

Travel by public transport

You can get to Lotherton Wildlife World by train.
The nearest train station is Garforth. The train station is 4 miles / 6.4 km from Lotherton Wildlife World.

Trains from Leeds / York to Garforth and taxi to venue

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. Parking is free.
From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.
The path is sloped.
The route is 1500mm wide, or more.
An accessible parking space next to the path which leads from the car park into the estate

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
There is a permanent ramp.
The path is 1500mm wide, or more.
The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The main door is sliding and automatic.

The double sliding doors open into the gift shop, which is the entrance to Lotherton Wildlife World.

The gift shop doorway, which is the entrance to Wildlife World

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.
Inside the nocturnal house which has low level lighting. The animal enclosures have red lights inside.

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

Coastal Zone

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1300mm wide, or more. The door is 1300mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

The Coastal Zone contains our Humboldt penguins, flamingos plus a few other species of waterfowl and coastal birds. There are several plastic curtain flaps and doors to exit and enter this zone. These sometimes have foot mats in front of them to disinfect visitor's shoes and wheels to prevent the spread of avian flu and other diseases, depending on current government guidance. Those with mobility issues may need assistance in using these.

The Coastal Zone sign next to the path at the flamingos. Plastic curtains at the penguin enclosure. Doors for entering and exiting the Coastal Zone, along with a foot bath.

Forest Zone

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1300mm wide, or more. The door is 1300mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

The Forest Zone contains the tapir, capybara, other small mammals and several species of birds. You must pass through the Coastal Zone to get to this area.

A sign saying Forest Zone which is next to the viewing windows for the tapir.

Tropical Zone

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1300mm wide, or more. The door is 1300mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

The Tropical Zone contains our Nocturnal House (optional), plus several species of bird and monkeys. You must pass through the Coastal Zone to get to this area.

The path leading towards the Tropical Zone.

Spectator/ Audience viewing areas

We have a viewing area for wheelchair users.

Shop

Wildlife World gift shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1500mm wide, or more.
The internal area of the Wildlife World gift shop

Nocturnal House

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1300mm wide, or more.
The door is 1300mm wide.

There is a small threshold of 20mm as you exit the nocturnal house. Visitors can use the entrance as an alternative exit. There are black plastic curtains at both the entrance and exit - please be wary of other visitors who may be stood in close proximity.

The threshold for exiting the nocturnal house

Nestbox Education Centre

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1200mm wide, or more.
The door is 820mm wide.

There is a gate to pass through as you aproach the Nestbox Education Centre. Then the first set of doors is double, so can open out wide. When this room is open there will always be a member of staff available to assist if needed. The second door is 90 degrees to the right.

The entrance to the Nestbox Education Centre showing one of the double doors open. The entrance to the Nestbox Education Centre from a distance. The gate to pass through on the approach to the Nestbox Education Centre.

Getting around outside

Designated Walking Trail

Zoo walk

Some of the trail has a loose surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

The walk leads around the various animal enclosures in the zoo. The zoo is built on a slight incline. As mentioned, the paths are made from gravel so those in wheelchairs may find this slightly difficult to navigate.

The beginning of the zoo walk. A welcome sign at the penguin enclosure. A path leading next to some of the animal enclosures. A path between some of the animal enclosures.

Zoo enclosures

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1300mm wide, or more.

Various zoo enclosures to explore. Some have viewing areas which are floor to ceiling, others have rocks, fences or plants at the bottom half of the enclosures which some visitors may struggle to see above.

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.
For a list of more items, please go to https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/lotherton/visit-lotherton/#access.
Assistance dogs are permitted in the zoo, however if they can use the paths and grass outside the entrance to Lotherton Wildlife World for their toilet needs to reduce the risk of disease spread and transmission to our zoo animals.
Area outside Wildlife World which dogs can use for their toilet needs.

Emergency evacuation procedures

The fire alarm has flashing lights.

Disabled visitors can exit Wildlife World without assistance in an emergency as there are no stairs or lifts involved. If the fire alarm goes off then the Nocturnal House has a flashing red light.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.