Five Sisters Zoo

Located in West Calder, this zoo has a heartwarming focus on animal rescue and conservation. It is in West Lothian, using the postcode EH55 8PT.

What to Expect and Enjoy
This isn’t just a place to look at animals; many of the residents here have incredible stories.

The Rescue Bears and Lions: The zoo is famous for giving a forever home to bears and lions rescued from circuses and poor conditions abroad. Seeing them relaxed in their large enclosures is a real highlight.
Lemur Woods: You can walk through an enclosure where lemurs are free to roam around you. It’s a wonderful way to see them up close.
Feeding Talks: Throughout the day, the keepers do talks for the otters, meerkats, and crocodiles. It’s a great way to learn about the animals’ personalities.
Indoor Fun: There is a large indoor soft play area and a “Lost Kingdom” reptile house, which are great if it starts to rain.

Best For and Time Spent
A massive hit with families and children, but also very popular with photographers because you can get quite close to the animals.

Duration: Most visitors spend 3 to 4 hours here.

Helpful Tips for Your Visit

Parking: There is free parking on-site.
Food: The “Leaping Lemur” café serves hot food and snacks. It can get busy, but there are plenty of picnic tables if you want to bring your own.
Season: In the winter (usually November and December), they hold a famous “Illuminations” event where the whole zoo is lit up with thousands of fairy lights—it’s very magical.

More Places Nearby

Almond Valley Heritage Centre Arthur’s Seat Blackness Castle Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Dalkeith Country Park Dalmeny House Dirleton Castle and Gardens Dynamic Earth East Links Family Park Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Ghost Tours Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) Edinburgh Zoo Fountain Park Foxlake Adventures Glenkinchie Distillery Hopetoun House House of the Binns Inveresk Lodge Garden Jupiter Artland Linlithgow Palace Lost Shore Surf Resort Malleny Garden Midlothian Snowsports Centre Murrayfield Stadium Tour Musselburgh Racecourse National Museum of Flight National Museum of Scotland Newhailes House North Berwick Harbour Rosslyn Chapel Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Scottish National Gallery Scottish National Portrait Gallery Scottish Parliament Visitor Centre Tantallon Castle The Edinburgh Dungeon The Palace of Holyroodhouse The Royal Mile The Royal Yacht Britannia The Scottish Seabird Centre

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