Filey Zoo

Filey Zoo sits on five acres of gardens and enclosures just outside Filey, on the edge of the Yorkshire coast. It opened in 2008 as Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park and still keeps that mix of birds, mammals and reptiles alongside more familiar farm-style animals. Its own description puts the collection at more than 75 species, housed in fairly spacious enclosures, so there is plenty to walk round at a child's pace. Families can watch the exotic birds in the formal garden, look for the meerkats, and go through the sensory garden and the wildlife zones. Because the site is set in open countryside, it works well as a relaxed half-day outing, and there is a cafe for refreshments. It suits younger children who enjoy close-up animals and older children interested in wildlife. Some animals can be fed at set points, which makes it a memorable stop on a coastal holiday.