New at Hopefield for the 2026 Visitor Season: A Children’s Library is Coming!

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news as we prepare for the 2026 visitor season at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary & Visitor Centre — we’re creating a brand-new children’s library right here at the sanctuary!

Thanks to a generous grant from Tesco and Groundwork as part of their Stronger Starts scheme, we’ve been awarded funding to help bring this special project to life. The new library will offer a cosy, welcoming space for young visitors to relax, read and learn during their visit to Hopefield.

🐾 A New Space for Stories, Learning and Animal Adventures

Our goal is to have the children’s library ready for when we reopen to visitors at the end of March, adding something new and enriching for families visiting Hopefield in 2026.

The space will be designed as a warm, magical corner for little readers, filled with animal-themed stories, learning opportunities and a calm place to take a break during a day at the sanctuary.

As one of the few animal sanctuaries open to visitors in Essex, we’re always looking for new ways to inspire young animal lovers and make visits even more memorable.

🛠️ Volunteers Needed

We’d love some helping hands to get the library ready! If you’re a volunteer who’d like to help with putting up shelving, setting up the space and making it welcoming for children, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

📧 Please email office@hopefield.org.uk if you’d like to get involved.

📖 Book Donations – Coming Soon

We’ll also be welcoming donations of children’s books in good condition soon. Keep an eye on our website and social media for more details on how to donate and what we’re looking for.

Creating a children’s library is just one of the ways we’re making Hopefield even more family-friendly for the 2026 visitor season. We can’t wait to welcome you back and share this new space filled with stories, learning and animal-inspired adventures 💙