Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a walk-through wildlife attraction on the outskirts of Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Its animal habitats, ranger talks, live shows and play areas make it a full-day outing to plan around the park’s schedule and your way of getting there.
- Location: The Yorkshire Hive, Hurst Lane, Auckley, Doncaster.
- Scale: more than 150 acres, with 15 lands and habitats.
- Opening times: vary by date; check the park calendar for the schedule.
Where Yorkshire Wildlife Park is
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is on the outskirts of Doncaster, with its entrance at The Yorkshire Hive on Hurst Lane in Auckley. The park describes itself as a walk-through wildlife attraction, spread across more than 150 acres and 15 lands and habitats.
The range of attractions includes animal habitats, ranger talks and live shows, daily carnivore feeds, play areas and Pangea: Discovery of Dinosaurs. Check the daily schedule as you plan what to see, since the park says some areas begin closing one hour before the advertised closing time.
Planning a day at the park
- Ticket
- kiosk staff when you arrive so they can explain the restrictions and notify the
Plan your day around the park’s calendar and the activities you want to catch. Opening hours and last-entry times vary by date, and some areas close before the park itself, so check the official site before you go.
The published highlights include daily carnivore feeds and ranger talks, alongside live shows and play areas. Three enclosures are designated as walkthrough areas: Wallaby Walkabout, Lemur Woods and Amazonas. Keep those areas in mind when planning the route through the park, particularly if anyone in your group needs to avoid animal walkthroughs.
Children under 16 must stay with an adult at all times. Dogs are not permitted, apart from assistance dogs; assistance dogs cannot enter animal walkthrough areas. Tell ticket-kiosk staff when you arrive so they can explain the restrictions and notify the animal teams.
Tickets, dates and access
Ticket prices depend on the date category, and online bookings made by midnight the day before a visit save £3.50 per person.
The park separates dates into off-peak weekdays during school term, off-peak term-time weekends, and peak days such as school holidays and event days. Bookings cannot be amended, and tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, so check your plans before purchasing.
The park accepts cash, major debit and credit cards, and mobile payment. Student tickets require a student or NUS/TOTUM card.
Most paths are level or have shallow gradients and are accessible to wheelchair users. Natural paths are present around Lemur Woods and the Jungle Lookout Play Area. The accessible car park is approximately 240 metres from the park entrance.
Manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters and child strollers are available to hire in limited numbers; book ahead if you need one. You can also bring your own wheelchair or mobility scooter.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is about 29 minutes by car from Beverley Inn near Doncaster.
How do you get to Yorkshire Wildlife Park from Edenthorpe?
The park is reached from the A1 and M1 via the M18: leave the M18 at Junction 3, then follow signs for the airport and Great Yorkshire Way (A6182). The current sat-nav postcode for the new car-park entrance is DN9 3QY.
If your sat-nav may be out of date, follow the brown signs to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park car park as you get close. General car parking is free. Day visitors should use the right-hand lane and the main car park marked “Day Parking.”
For a visit to The Yorkshire Hive lasting less than two hours, use the short-stay car park; for a longer visit, the park directs drivers to the main car park to avoid parking fines.
For accessible parking, take the left-hand lane and display your Blue Badge clearly. Six 7.2 kW (32 A) electric-vehicle charging bays are in the Hex Wildlife Hotel car park; starting a charge requires the Monta EV Charging App.
First Bus South Yorkshire service 357 runs hourly, Monday to Sunday, between Doncaster Interchange and Yorkshire Wildlife Park and The Yorkshire Hive. Hornsby Travel services 399 and 499 connect Scunthorpe with the park and The Yorkshire Hive on weekdays.
Doncaster Station is the nearest train station, and the park says it is around 6 miles by taxi from Doncaster Rail and Bus Interchange.
Bicycle parking is in the car park between the hotel and Blue Badge parking areas. Bicycles cannot be taken inside the park or The Yorkshire Hive, and locks are not provided. For more local transport context, see getting around Edenthorpe and Doncaster.
FAQs
- Ticket
- kiosk staff on arrival so they can explain restrictions and notify the animal te
Where is Yorkshire Wildlife Park?
The entrance is at The Yorkshire Hive, Hurst Lane, Auckley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Can you take a bicycle into Yorkshire Wildlife Park?
No. Bicycle parking is available outside, but bicycles are not allowed inside the park or The Yorkshire Hive.
Are assistance dogs allowed?
Yes, except in animal walkthrough areas. Tell ticket-kiosk staff on arrival so they can explain restrictions and notify the animal teams.
Can you hire a wheelchair or mobility scooter?
Yes. Manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available in limited numbers, and the park recommends booking ahead.