LUXE Serendipity magazine

By Donna Richardson

“Stepping into Twycross Zoo is like opening the pages of a storybook that has come to life.”

Nestled in the gentle hills of Warwickshire and Leicestershire, Twycross Zoo is far more than a simple zoo – it is an immersive adventure where education, conservation, history, and hope collide. Since it opened in 1963, founded by the eccentric and visionary late Molly Badham alongside Nathalie Evans, the zoo has grown from a small primate collection into one of the UK’s most respected conservation charities. Yet, it retains the charm, intimacy, and magic of a storybook unfolding.

A Journey Into the Wild

Located just off the A444, the zoo is easily accessible by car, with ample parking available. From Birmingham or Leicester, it is about a forty-minute drive; nearby towns such as Nuneaton or Hinckley are even closer, around twenty minutes away. Local buses stop near Twycross village, followed by a short, pleasant walk, but arriving with friends, windows down, adds a sense of shared adventure.

As you step through the gates, the paths curve naturally like rivers through the landscape, revealing glimpses of wildlife and hinting at discoveries yet to come. The air is fragrant with greenery, mixed with the earthy scent of enclosures and the occasional splash of water from the penguin pools. It immediately feels alive – vibrant, welcoming, and full of possibility.

The Bare Necessities and more

The first encounters with the animals set the tone for the day. Monkeys swing like living pendulums, tumbling and chasing each other in playful acrobatics that draw laughter and cheers from visitors. Lemurs move with effortless grace, hopping across platforms and branches, their long expressive tails tracing elegant arcs in the air, occasionally pausing to peer inquisitively at humans wandering below., the Parakeets preening themselves.

The giraffes tower serenely over the treetops, plucking leaves delicately from branches, their slow, meditative movements evoking calm and wonder. Parakeets dart overhead like living brushstrokes of colour, while tamarins and marmosets inject sudden bursts of frenetic energy, leaping from branch to branch with astonishing agility.

The penguins capture everyone’s attention with their playful dives and synchronised splashes, entertaining crowds as if they are performing a perfectly choreographed aquatic ballet. Scheduled feeding times give visitors a chance to observe natural hunting and eating behaviors up close. keepers provide insights into the diets and habits of monkeys, lemurs, and giraffes, adding an educational element to the visual spectacle.

Watching the tiger is unforgettable. Muscles ripple under sleek stripes as it prowls with calculated elegance, a living embodiment of raw power. Its feeding sessions are particularly captivating, demonstrating predatory grace and precision.

Exploring the zoo with friends makes every encounter a shared adventure -laughter echoes as monkeys chase each other, cheers rise for diving penguins, and awe fills the air at the tiger’s majestic movements.

The Venetian Carousel offers a whimsical pause. Children and adults alike are drawn to its ornate horses, twinkling lights, and cheerful music. Spinning slowly, it feels like stepping into a fairy tale.

The Legacy of Molly Badham

Molly Badham was eccentric, passionate, and utterly devoted to animals, especially primates. Alongside Nathalie Evans, she co-founded Twycross Zoo, transforming what was once her home and gardens into a sanctuary for wildlife. Today, her former house has been converted into offices, but subtle markers and photographs in the zoo foyer honour her memory. Molly passed away in 2007 at the age of 93, and a plaque now commemorates her in the main foyer, a quiet tribute to her lifelong dedication. Her legacy continues to guide Twycross’s mission: to care for endangered species, inspire visitors, and contribute to global conservation efforts.

Conservation in Action: New Babies and Global Efforts

Twycross Zoo is a working conservation charity, caring for hundreds of animals, many of which are endangered or threatened. Recent years have been particularly exciting. In 2025, a coppery titi monkey was born, the first animal birth of the year, captivating staff and visitors alike. Not long after, an endangered bonobo baby was welcomed, part of the European breeding programme, ensuring the UK’s only bonobo population continues to thrive. The zoo also celebrated the birth of a second François’ langur baby, contributing to global efforts to save this rare primate species.’

Twycross Zoo welcomed the birth of an endangered bonobo, born on 11 September to first-time mum Yuli, aged 11, as part of a European conservation programme. The zoo is the only UK home for bonobos and cares for 10% of the European population.

Bonobos, humans’ closest living relatives, are endangered due to threats like poaching and deforestation. Conservation programmes are vital to their survival, especially for this unique great ape known for its female-led societies.

Earlier in the year two Humboldt penguin chicks and a baby De Brazza’s monkey arrived, both species which are part of important European conservation programmes.

Over the past four decades, Humboldt penguins have experienced a significant decline due to habitat loss and climate change. Twycross Zoo is proud to play a crucial role in its conservation.

Adding to the arrival of the chicks, Twycross Zoo also welcomed a De Brazza’s monkey. The young female has become an excellent mother and after gaining confidence stems from watching and learning from older female primates within her group.

Currently, over half of the species at Twycross are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List, and the zoo’s “Conservation Strategy 2030” aims to further strengthen that impact. Every visitor contributes, whether by witnessing these precious animals, participating in educational talks, or supporting fundraising and breeding programmes.

Late Afternoon Indulgence -pub and Sunday lunch

After a morning of discovery, we headed two miles to The Unicorn in Orton-on-the-Hill for a late afternoon Sunday roast. Generous portions of roast meat, fresh vegetables, and golden trimmings were perfect for sharing with friends. Laughter, conversation, and reflections on the morning made this a memorable and cosy interlude.

Later, we stopped at The Black Horse in Sheepy Magna, a charming village pub, where drinks and friendly conversation added warmth and a touch of village charm before returning to the zoo for the evening’s enchantment.

Evening Magic: Gruffalo Trail and Lanterns

As the stars come out to play, the zoo transforms into a magical, glowing world. As night falls, animals begin their bedtime routines. Giraffes fold into their resting spaces, tamarins and marmosets curl into nests in the trees, and the tiger settles in its den, muscles relaxing as the day ends. Even the penguins huddle together, chattering softly before sleep. Watching the zoo drift into twilight adds intimacy and closure to the day’s adventure..

We began at the world’s first Gruffalo lanterns experience. Brand new for 2025, it represents the newest, most spectacular and densely illuminated trail of its kind.The Gruffalo Trail comes alive with soft lighting, interactive storytelling, and whimsical displays, as though the forest itself had leapt from the pages of a storybook and our nine-year-old was still able to enjoy the wonder of it.

Lantern light guides visitors into the trees, where a small mouse appears first, followed by the glowing figure of the Gruffalo himself, standing tall in the deep, dark wood. Nearby, the Gruffalo’s Child watches quietly, turning a well-known story into a moment that feels newly discovered.

The trail does not retell the story outright. Instead, but there are references and key characters and prompts that allow families to fill in the gaps.

Parents whisper remembered lines, children point eagerly from one character to the next, and the book seems to lift gently from the page into the night. There are also many friendly woodland creatures, magical fireflies and much more magic to explore – even a ladybird to rub for luck.

Then, as the Grufallo trails end, more animals appear, and visitors are transported through scenes of Mount Rushmore and wolves, desert landscapes, tigers, and an underwater magical area. 

One by one oversized lantern animals, glowing forests, and illuminated tunnels feel almost alive, while water reflects the lights like liquid jewels. Seasonal stalls offering hot chocolate, mulled drinks, and treats make the experience cosy and festive.

The light trail is wondrous and dazzling, and you forget you have already walked around the zoo as you marvel at its creations. Indeed, all the lanterns trail dazzle like a river of stars, flowing through the zoo seamlessly and light up the cold wintry night, celebrating eight continents across the natural world. The lanterns spanning more than a mile in length and spread out across the zoo and will be on display up until 22nd February 2026. Visitors will be able to walk amidst the huge, glowing lantern installations depicting ten immersive wild habitats, from the American Wilds to the Arctic Tundra and the tropics. We particularly loved the Arctic region with polar bears, huskies, penguins, and a snowy barn owl; it felt wonderfully Christmassy.

With scenes throughout the journey inspired by lush tropical rainforests, icy tundras, deep oceans, and more, the event vividly brings wildlife scenes within touching distance in breathtaking detail. Along the route, visitors can enjoy delicious festive treats and warming drinks to complete the magical winter adventure.

Taking 99,000 hours to create, the equivalent of one artisan working 8 hours per day for 34 years, the experience showcases over 2,000 lanterns – some more than 100 times their natural size – brought to life by an impressive 25,000 bulbs and 70,000 metres of strip light.

Hand-crafted and hand-painted by artisans from Zigong, the lantern capital of China, a team of 30+ Chinese craftsmen are currently onsite welding, painting and installing awe-inspiring elephants, mesmerising jellyfish, colourful birds and butterflies, and vivid flowers. Jaw-dropping highlights along the lantern trail include an epic Mount Rushmore installation, a 25-metre-long, eight-metre-tall structure that is assembled in six sections; it’s so big.

Visitors can also wander through a vast walk-through igloo, marvel at a giant octopus, step up close to life-size Emperor penguins and admire a towering tree adorned with glowing orbs – making the experience truly immersive. In total, over 500 species of animals and plants are depicted, from tiny insects to mighty elephants, giving visitors a unique opportunity to explore the diversity of life on our planet in a single evening.

A Bold New Chapter: Investment and Expansion

In 2025, Twycross Zoo announced a £25 million Global Conservation Centre, designed to advance scientific research, education, and international collaboration. This ambitious project will include lecture theatres, research laboratories, accommodation for visiting experts, and a new Indonesian-themed land, including a habitat for Bornean orangutans. It’s a bold vision to ensure Twycross continues to have global impact, while visitors enjoy immersive, educational experiences.

The Full Twycross Experience

From playful monkeys, lively penguins, curious lemurs, majestic giraffes, colourful parakeets, and the magnificent tiger, to the Venetian Carousel, classic fish and chips, late afternoon Sunday roast at The Unicorn, a cosy stop at The Black Horse, and the Gruffalo and Lanterns trails, Twycross Zoo is layered with wonder, delight, and enchantment.

Experiencing it with friends amplifies the magic – every laugh echoes, every shared awe lingers, and every observation becomes a cherished memory. The zoo blends storybook whimsy with serious conservation, making each visit a living fairy tale and a testament to legacy, hope, and care for the natural world.

Twycross Zoo is not just a zoo – it is a canvas of wildlife, history, and friendship, and a truly unforgettable family day out.

Twycross Zoo – Quick Travel

 Address: CV9 3PX, Burton Road, Atherstone
 Car: M42 → Junction 11 → A444 → brown signs; parking onsite
 Train: Atherstone (~10 min taxi), Nuneaton (~15 min taxi)
 Bus: Arriva TZ25 from Leicester; Bus 7 from Atherstone (limited)
 Tips: Driving = easiest; check public transport schedules; arrive early

Book tickets now at twycrosszoo.org to experience Lanterns of the Wild and the world’s first Gruffalo lantern experience in a setting like no other.