The zoo is situated on the site of the former Blackpool Municipal Airport, which operated until 1972.
Project Elephant Base Camp covers 3 acres and includes specialized sand-based flooring designed to promote healthy elephant foot care.
The zoo contains a dedicated 'Amazonia' exhibit designed to replicate tropical rainforest conditions for its South American animal residents.
It is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and participates in international endangered species breeding programs.
The site hosts a notable population of Rothschild's giraffes, a subspecies that is currently endangered in the wild.
The zoo's 'Wallaby Walkabout' allows guests to enter an enclosure where Bennett's wallabies move freely without bars or glass barriers.
Blackpool Zoo is a 32-acre park located in Stanley Park that houses over 1,000 animals, including elephants, tigers, and a large population of primates. The zoo features the 'Project Elephant' base camp, which is one of the largest indoor elephant facilities in the United Kingdom. It operates a dedicated Children's Farm where visitors can interact with smaller animals and farm breeds. The site includes a prominent 'Lemur Wood' that allows visitors to walk through a habitat where ring-tailed lemurs roam freely. Educational presentations and feeding demonstrations take place daily throughout the zoo grounds. The park is situated within the historic grounds of a former aerodrome, retaining elements of the original site layout. Facilities include multiple themed cafes and designated picnic areas for visitors.
The elevated viewing boardwalk within the Project Elephant Base Camp provides a clear, unobstructed perspective of the elephant herd.
Download the zoo's mobile app before arrival to track the schedule of daily feeding demonstrations.
Bring comfortable, waterproof walking shoes as the park features a mix of paved paths and grassy slopes that can become muddy.
Plan to arrive as early as possible to see the animals during their most active periods before the midday heat.
Avoid rushing through the park in a single loop; check the map to prioritize specific feeding times and talks that occur in different zones throughout the day.
Open daily throughout the year except for Christmas Day.
Do not feed any animals outside of designated areas, stay on marked paths, and maintain quiet behavior near sensitive enclosures.
