Port Lympne Wild Animal Park

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park stands near Hythe in Kent on 600 acres of landscaped grounds centred on an Edwardian mansion. The estate was bought in 1973 by John Aspinall to expand his animal collection and opened to the public in 1976. Today it belongs to The John Aspinall Foundation, a charity led by Damian Aspinall. The park is known for unorthodox animal care and successful breeding of rare species. It now holds tigers, lions, gorillas, the UK’s largest herd of black rhinos and plans to release some animals back into the wild. Visitors find a mix of walking trails and safari drives across three continents. The Dinosaur Forest opened in 2016 and covers three acres with over a hundred life-sized models where rangers explain prehistoric life. The Palace of the Apes is the world’s largest gorillarium and houses a breeding troop including Britain’s oldest gorilla, Babydoll, who lived to 57. Safari vehicles take guests through African, Asian and South American sections to see Rothschild’s giraffe, Siberian tiger and capybara. Accommodation ranges from Lion Lodge and Giraffe Hall to glamping pods such as Bear Lodge and Rhino Lodge. The mansion’s lavish rooms overlook Romney Marsh, and the gardens designed by Sir Herbert Baker frame distant views. Close encounters with animals, fossil digging and dinosaur modelling add variety for families.