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Discover more at Paignton Zoo
Explore four wild worlds.
From towering giraffes and powerful rhinos to tropical primates, rare island wildlife and peaceful wetland species, every route through Paignton Zoo offers something different.
Begin your journey in the Welcome Area before exploring four wild worlds: Wetlands, Islands, Grasslands and Rainforests. Follow the colour-coded routes on our map, discover fascinating animals and habitats, stop for food and play, and create your own perfect day at the zoo.
Start in our Welcome Area, then choose your route or combine all four for a full day of wildlife discovery.
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Welcome Route
Begin your zoo adventure
Your day begins in the Welcome Area, where some of Paignton Zoo’s most memorable sights are waiting from the moment you arrive. Walk alongside the lake to see our colourful Chilean flamingos, meet our lively pileated gibbons and look out for the towering marabou storks.
You can also journey through two very different environments: experience the warmth and lush surroundings of Tropics, home to sloths, reptiles and other fascinating species, before discovering the remarkable wildlife adapted to life in the world’s driest landscapes in Deserts. Continue towards Central Plaza, where the zoo opens out into four themed routes through Wetlands, Islands, Grasslands and Rainforests.
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Wetlands
Follow the blue route on the map
Wander beside lakes, pools and leafy waterside habitats as you discover wildlife connected to rivers, wetlands and forests. Meet our sitatunga, look out for colourful cranes and wading birds, visit the red pandas and venture into Crocodile Swamp.
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Islands
Follow the pink route on the map
Explore the remarkable wildlife of islands around the world and discover why island species are among the most unique and vulnerable animals on Earth. Along the route, you’ll encounter primates, rare birds, reptiles, nocturnal animals and spaces dedicated to conservation.
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Grasslands
Follow the orange route on the map
Journey through wide-open landscapes and meet some of the zoo’s largest and most iconic animals. Look out across the expanding Savannah, come face-to-face with giraffes and rhinos, and discover mixed-species habitats filled with grazing animals and birds.
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Rainforests
Follow the green route on the map
Step into a world of lush planting, winding paths and fascinating forest wildlife. Meet tigers, gorillas, orangutans and venture through Lemur Woods. Encounter colourful birds and explore the quieter woodland paths of the Nature Trail.
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Nature Trail
Step off the beaten track and into the wild! Just beyond Lemur Wood lies the tranquil, ancient woodland of Clennon Gorge, and this hidden gem is your best chance to spot Britain’s native wildlife in its natural habitat.
Perfect for a quick 15-minute detour, our Nature Trail offers a gentle, easy-going route that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the zoo. How many native birds, butterflies and plants can you spot?
Play your way around the zoo
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Hangout play area
Need to burn off some energy? Head to The Hangout, next to Hangout Café and the toilets, where children of all abilities can climb, swing, slide and enjoy creative outdoor play.
The sustainably built area includes inclusive equipment designed for children with special educational needs (SEN), while grown-ups enjoy a well-earned break nearby.
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Jungle Fun
Jungle Fun is our indoor soft play area, designed to provide safe and exciting experiences for children of all ages. It's divided into four tailored zones for the following age ranges:
Infants (0-12 months)
Toddlers (1-3 years)
Explorers (2-6 years)
Adventurers (5-10 years)
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Adventure Trails
New adventure trails are now dotted throughout the zoo, giving children even more opportunities to climb, balance and play as they explore.
Designed to bring previously unused spaces and longer stretches between animal habitats to life, each trail adds a little extra adventure to the journey and helps keep younger visitors engaged from one discovery to the next.
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Wobbly Bridge
Are you brave enough to conquer the Wobbly Bridge? Take on our famous family challenge and see Lemur Woods from a brand-new perspective! This high-flying adventure is perfect for explorers of all ages, and allows you to watch our lemurs play while you wobble over the stream and through the trees.
To keep the adventure flowing, please follow the bridge's one-way system as you explore!
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Under-6s play area
Little explorers can climb, balance and slide in our new play area designed especially for children aged six and under.
Conveniently located outside Whitley’s Kitchen, it gives younger visitors a safe, engaging place to play while families take a break, enjoy something to eat or plan the next part of their zoo adventure.
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Outdoor play area
Opposite Baboon Rock, our larger outdoor play area gives older children plenty of space to burn off some energy. With climbing structures, bridges, slides and different ways to explore, it is a brilliant place for active play and a well-timed stop during a full day discovering the zoo.
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