About us
Tilgate Zoo is a fantastic place for a family day out, with a collection of around 200 animals from over 70 different species. You’ll find everything from meerkats to mole-rats, tortoises to tapirs, and parrots to potoroos. It’s a great value visit that everyone can enjoy.
Our history
Tilgate Nature Centre started nearly 60 years ago and remains owned and operated by Crawley Borough Council, who initially focused on breeding ducks for reintroduction into its lakes. In the 1970s and 80s, the centre expanded to include rare farm animals, often winning prizes at regional shows. The shire horses were a familiar sight, helping out with heavy tasks around Tilgate Park.
Over the years, the nature centre grew to include not just British animals but also exotic species from Africa, South America, Australia, and Asia. Despite this growth, rare breed farm animals have always been a key part of the collection.
Becoming Tilgate Zoo
In 2025, we officially became Tilgate Zoo to better reflect our diverse animal collection and acknowledge our licenced status. This name change highlights the quality and variety of our exhibits and our important role in conservation and education.
Today, Tilgate Zoo is home to a wide range of animals, from familiar faces like rabbits, sheep, and pigs to more unusual creatures like armadillos, naked mole-rats, and marabou storks. We also have a variety of reptiles, minibeasts, and birds such as parrots, owls, and condors. There’s something for everyone!
Modern zoos like ours play a crucial role in protecting endangered species and their habitats. By working with other zoos and conservation projects, we also help preserve captive animal groups as backups for wild populations.
At Tilgate Zoo, inspiring our visitors comes in many forms and this includes the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the animals through daily encounters or for extra special VIP experiences such as Meet the Meerkats or Armadillo Afternoon Tea.
Our mission
We are proud members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). Our mission is to provide an affordable, educational, and inspiring day out with a strong focus on animal welfare.
Visit the BIAZA website for more information.
Come visit us and see all the amazing animals at Tilgate Zoo.