Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens

About Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens

Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens, now run by Northumberland College as Northumberland College Zoo, is a family-friendly zoo set within the 400-acre Kirkley Hall campus a short drive from Ponteland. It is home to more than 200 species, from meerkats and marmosets to reptiles and farm animals, with keeper talks, animal encounters and a river-and-forest trail through the grounds.

As well as a day out, it is a popular birthday-party and school-holiday venue, offering party packages with a private reptile-encounter session, plus a separate outdoor activity centre with a treetop high-ropes course and a 120-metre zip slide for older children. It is open every weekend and throughout the school holidays; check the website for seasonal times.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens.

The Best Photography Spots in Ponteland

Where to point your camera in and around Ponteland, from the old bridge over the River Pont to a Norman church, a medieval tower and open Northumberland countryside.

A Weekend in Ponteland: How to Spend 48 Hours

Visiting or just fancy a staycation on your doorstep? A relaxed 48-hour itinerary for Ponteland, from riverside walks and a village zoo to historic pubs and good food.

Children's Birthday Party Venues in Ponteland

Planning a party? A guide to children's birthday party venues in and around Ponteland, from a zoo with reptile encounters to pool and climbing parties.

Summer Holiday Activities in Ponteland: Keeping the Kids Busy

Six weeks to fill? A guide to summer holiday activities in and around Ponteland, from a family zoo and holiday camps to soft play, swimming and days out.