Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens

About Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens

Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens, also known as Northumberland College Zoo, sits within the college's Kirkley Hall campus just north of Ponteland. Home to well over 100 species, from ring-tailed lemurs, wallabies and alpacas to reptiles and the smaller animals of the petting barn, it began as a training facility for animal-care students and has grown into one of the area's best family days out, with animal talks, feeding and handling sessions, play areas and river and forest trails.

Open at weekends and during school holidays (check current times before visiting), the hall and its grounds are also a popular wedding venue. It is the closest proper zoo to Ponteland and an easy trip for families across the NE20 area.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens.

Bonfire Night in Ponteland

Ponteland is one of only three places in the region with a fireworks display on Bonfire Night itself. The Friends of PCPS display is on Thursday 5 November, gates 4.30pm and fireworks at 6pm.

A Rainy Day in Ponteland: Indoor Things to Do

When the Northumberland weather closes in, here is where to go: indoor ideas for a rainy day in and around Ponteland, from the leisure centre and library to Kirkley Hall and Dobbies.

Halloween in Ponteland

Family Halloween fun in Ponteland, led by Dobbies' 'Little Scare-lings' events and a half-term day out at Kirkley Hall zoo, plus pumpkin patches nearby.

The Best Walks Around Ponteland

Riverside strolls in Ponteland Park, an old railway line to Darras Hall, birdwatching at Prestwick Carr and the gardens of Kirkley Hall, the best walks on the village's doorstep.

Fire Crews Undertake Animal Rescue Training at Kirkley Hall

Firefighters have completed two days of specialist large-animal and livestock rescue training at Kirkley Hall, using the teaching zoo and farm at the Northumberland College campus near Ponteland.