Zoo in Essex Alternative: Meet Rescued Exotic Animals at Hopefield

While Hopefield isn’t a zoo in Essex, it is one of the only places in the county where you can meet a range of truly exotic rescued animals — from meerkats and parrots to skunks and palm civets — all living here after being rescued from situations such as mobile zoos, the illegal pet trade, or private homes where their complex needs couldn’t be met.

For 2026, Hopefield Animal Sanctuary & Visitor Centre is hosting three special Exotic Animal Weekends — limited dates when these animals are on public display — giving families and curious visitors a rare chance to see them up close in a sanctuary setting that puts animal welfare first.

📅 2026 Exotic Animal Weekend Dates:

• Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th June — 10am to 4pm

• Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd August — 10am to 4pm

• Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October — 10am to 4pm

These fun, family-friendly days out also include:

• 🍔 BBQ & refreshments for purchase

• 🍹 Saddle Up Bar to grab your soft and alcoholic drinks from

• 🚌 Soft Play Bus for younger explorers (included in entry)

• 🐾 Exotic Animal Trail around the sanctuary (included in entry)

Every visit helps care for all the sanctuary’s residents — hundreds of rescued animals big and small — and funds their lifelong care here in Essex.

👉 For full details and tickets, visit: https://hopefield.org.uk/exotic-animal-weekends-2026

Whether you’re searching for where to see exotic or zoo-type animals in Essex or just looking for an unusual and ethical animal experience, these weekends are a unique opportunity — and all within the compassionate setting of a rescue sanctuary that prioritises welfare above all else. We hope you and your friends and family can come down and see us soon, whether for an exotic animal weekend, one of our other amazing event weekends, or on a general admission day.