West Midlands Safari & Leisure Park

Located in Bewdley, Worcestershire, this is a massive day out that essentially splits into two distinct experiences: a four-mile drive-through safari and a large walk-through discovery trail and theme park.

The Safari Drive

You’ll stay in your own car for this bit. It takes about two to three hours depending on how much the rhinos decide to stand in the middle of the road. It’s a huge hit for all ages because you get incredibly close to lions, tigers, giraffes, and cheetahs.

• Top Tip: If you don’t want to drive your own car (or fear for your wing mirrors), you can book a seat on one of their safari minibuses.
• Points of Interest: The African plains section is the highlight, where you can often feed the giraffes from your window.

Discovery Trail & African Village

Once you’ve parked up, the rest of the park is on foot.

• Ice Age & Land of the Living Dinosaurs: These are walkthrough areas with massive animatronic creatures. Toddlers find them magical; teenagers might find them a bit “plastic,” but they are great for photos.
• Loris Landing: A walk-through aviary where you can buy nectar to feed the birds. It’s very hands-on and keeps kids quiet for a good while.
• The Hippo Lake: One of the few places in the UK where you can see a large pod of hippos from a jetty.

Adventure Theme Park

This area is packed with rides ranging from “gentle teacups” to “soaking wet log flumes.”

• Restrictions: Most big-thrill rides have a 1.2m or 1.4m height restriction.
• Vibe: This is where the teenagers will head while the parents grab a coffee. While children generally need supervision, older kids can be left to run between rides if you set up a “base camp” at the nearby picnic tables.

Planning Your Budget

It isn’t a cheap day out, so you have to play it smart.

• Discounts: Look out for “Free Return” deals—they often run a promotion where you get a voucher for a second visit later in the year.
• Concessions: There are reduced rates for Seniors (65+), Students, and Blue Light Card holders. Children under 3 usually get in free.
• Memberships: If you live within an hour’s drive and plan to visit more than twice, the annual pass pays for itself quickly.
• Parking: Good news—parking is free and there’s plenty of it.
• Food: On-site food is standard “theme park” fare (burgers and chips) and can be pricey. There are loads of picnic spots, so bringing your own lunch is a massive money-saver.

Nearby Enhancements

If you have energy left, the town of Bewdley is just a few minutes away. It’s a beautiful riverside town with lovely pubs and fish and chip shops. The Severn Valley Railway also has a station nearby if you want to combine animals with vintage steam trains.