The underrated zoo just 40 minutes from Derby with soft play, splash park and conservation at its heart

Took my daughters Alice and Ada to Twycross Zoo for their Monopoly Summer Fun and honestly—it was one of those days out that makes you wonder why more people aren’t shouting about this place.

It’s not “just a zoo,” it’s a full-on family day that mixes animals, play, food, and a bit of magic.

We went for the launch of the brand-new Twycross Zoo Monopoly board game (yes, a real Monopoly game themed around the zoo!). The kids loved collecting stamps, doing the challenges, and pretending to “Run Their Own Zoo.”

And when Mr. Monopoly himself popped up, Alice nearly burst with excitement.

Between Monopoly fun, we packed in loads:

• Animals galore - over 100 species, from big cats to the cheekiest monkeys.
• Splash Park to cool off (Ada spent nearly an hour dashing in and out of the fountains).
• Soft Play indoors when we needed a break.
• Playground + park for climbing and swinging.
• And of course, the essentials: ice cream, fish and chips - because no family day out is complete without them.
• A magical wander through The Gruffalo Discovery Land, which made the day even more special as we are all Julia Donaldson fans.

The best bit? It’s good value. Tickets come with a free return visit, which means we’ll be back before summer’s out. And for those wondering, the Monopoly board game itself is sold separately (worth grabbing as a keepsake).

What I love about Twycross is how much it does for conservation. It’s not just about seeing animals - it’s about learning how they’re looked after and what’s being done to protect them. This has seen a £25 million investment in the conservation centre as part of their wider conservation work – the biggest in government history. At a recent conservation event, London Zoo even commented that TX is almost two years ahead of any other UK zoo in this area.

Also, when guests pay for a day visit, they can come back free for a whole year – brilliant value. And while the Monopoly event ends on the 31st August, the game will still be available in the gift shop, and there’s still plenty to see and do afterwards.

And here’s a tip: don’t just think of it as a summer spot. This winter, from 14th November 2025 to 22nd February 2026, they’re running Lanterns of the Wild.

The zoo transforms after dark into glowing animal worlds with vibrant lantern trails. Tickets start from £23.95 for adults and £17.50 for children if you book online (and you save 20% that way).

We’re already planning to go - because if summer was this much fun, winter is going to be magical.

Bottom line? Twycross Zoo is an underrated gem. It’s more than a zoo - it’s play, food, fun, and family memories all rolled into one. Alice and Ada are already asking when we’re going back… and honestly, so am I.