Gharial with a long, slender snout partially submerged in water, surrounded by reflections of trees and foliage.

Educational Visits at Paignton Zoo

Bring learning to life with a school trip to Paignton Zoo.

From discovering incredible animals from around the world to exploring the importance of wildlife conservation, a visit to the zoo gives students the opportunity to take their learning beyond the classroom and experience the natural world first-hand.

Whether you’re planning a first zoo visit for pre-school children, a curriculum-enriching day for primary pupils or a more in-depth learning experience for secondary and FE students, our educational packages make it easy to create a day that works for your group.

Children smiling while playing on Paignton Zoo's wooden meerkat statues

Pre-School Visits

£13 per child

Introduce younger children to the wonder of wildlife with a fun day exploring Paignton Zoo.

With animals to discover throughout the zoo, a school visit offers plenty of opportunities for children to observe, ask questions and learn about the natural world around them.

You can enjoy a self-guided visit or add a short animal-focused session with a member of our Education Team.

The free teacher-child ratio is 1:2 for pre-school visits.

Book your pre-school visit

Primary School Visits

£13 per child

Primary school groups can explore the zoo independently or add an educational session to complement their visit. You'll be able to select the appropriate Key Stage when making your booking.

Educational Workshop – £33

Add a structured educational workshop delivered by our Education Team. Workshops provide an opportunity to explore a topic in more depth and complement learning taking place back in the classroom.

20-minute Mini Session – £15

A shorter session based at an animal enclosure, ideal for groups looking to add a focused encounter with one of our animals to their day without booking a full workshop.

Educational Workshops and Mini Sessions are available Monday–Thursday, subject to availability.

Please note that Walk and Talk sessions are not available for primary-aged groups.

The free teacher-child ratio for KS1 visits is 1:6, and 1:10 for KS2.
Additional adults can be added for an extra fee.

Book your primary school visit
Woman with blonde hair in foreground observes a gorilla sitting on grass in a lush, green habitat with trees in the background.

Secondary School & Post-16 Visits

£14.75 per student

Secondary school, college, and FE and HE groups can visit the zoo independently or enhance their day with one of three educational options.

Educational School Workshop – £66

Our most in-depth educational option, providing a structured session with a member of the Education Team. Workshops are ideal for groups looking to explore a subject in greater detail as part of their visit.

Bespoke Educational Lecture - from £86

Enhance your visit with a bespoke lecture led by Dr Holly Farmer, our Conservation, Education and Research Manager. Designed for FE and HE students, each session can be tailored to complement specific courses, topics or areas of study, giving students the opportunity to explore relevant subjects in greater depth and connect their learning with real-world conservation, research and zoo practice.

Please email education@paigntonzoo.uk for more information.

Walk and Talk – £33

Take learning out into the zoo with a guided Walk and Talk. Led by a member of our team, these sessions provide an opportunity to explore topics while moving through the zoo and seeing relevant animals and habitats along the way.

20-minute Mini Session – £15

Add a shorter focused session at an animal enclosure to introduce students to an animal, its biology or the wider themes connected to its conservation.

Educational sessions are available Monday–Thursday, subject to availability.

The free teacher-child ratio for KS3 & KS4 is 1:10. For post-16 visits the ratio is 1:15.

Book your secondary school, FE or HE visit
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Add lunch to your visit

Take some of the organisation out of your school trip by pre-booking lunch for your group.

Cold Lunch – £6 per person

Includes:

  • Sandwich

  • Apple

  • Crisps

  • Carton of juice

Hot Lunch – £6.20 per person

Includes:

  • Pizza

  • Fries

  • Sauce

  • Squash

Lunches can be added when booking your school visit.

Eco-friendly house with green roof, large windows, surrounded by lush greenery, trees, and shrubs under a cloudy sky.

Getting here and parking

Paignton Zoo is located in Paignton, Devon, and is easily accessible for school groups travelling from across Devon and the South West.

Parking at Paignton Zoo is free, including parking for visiting school groups. Coaches can drop-off pupils outside the main entrance in our turning circle, or park in our overflow car park on Battersway Road.

We recommend allowing plenty of time for your group to arrive, organise pupils and enter the zoo before any pre-booked sessions.

Young female bornean orangutan looking at the camera at Paignton Zoo in Devon, UK

Why visit Paignton Zoo with your school?

A zoo visit gives pupils the opportunity to encounter animals and habitats that would otherwise only be experienced through books, screens and classroom resources.

Throughout the day, pupils can observe animal behaviour, discover adaptations, consider the different habitats species depend upon and learn more about the challenges facing wildlife around the world.

Most importantly, spending time around animals can help create memorable connections with the natural world and inspire conversations about the role we can all play in protecting it.

Additional Educational Information

Once you're all booked in, check out our additional information such as our SEN walkthrough guide, risk assessments, SOE5 and more.

Find out more