Where is the best place in the UK and Ireland to see hippos?

Last Updated on 29 September 2025 by Colette

Something which rates very high on my own bucket list, is seeing hippos in the wild. I think they are incredible creatures and I love learning random facts about them or watching videos of hippos – I’m not even sure what it is about them but they are absolutely my favourite animal and they always bring a smile to my face!

Personally I’m not as fussed by pygmy hippos as I am by the common hippo – cute as they are, it’s the giant, lumbering “proper” hippos that I really love! Common hippos and pygymy hippos, whilst related, are actually quite different both in the way they look and the way they behave. Pygmy hippos are more solitary, land-based creatures whereas common hippopotamus are river dwelling and live in larger groups (of between 10 and 20 hippos) called pods.

Where can you see hippos in the UK?

Unlike giraffes and elephants which are common place at most UK zoos, hippos are a little harder to come by so if you’re looking for a UK zoo with hippos, it pays to do your research!

Because hippos like to spend a lot of their time in water, it’s quite possible that you’ll make a trip to one of these UK zoos with hippos, only to leave disappointed because they were hiding from you (I speak from experience!). In America, I know there are hippo enclosures with large glass sides on which allow you to see them when they are under water – I’m not sure this is the case in any of the UK zoos but if you know otherwise please do let me know.

I’ve tried to include information about what sort of hippos each zoo has and how many of them – I’ve also included a couple of zoos in England that used to have hippos but don’t any more so you don’t get caught out! The information is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publishing but please do check with individual venues before booking and do let me know if you think there’s any information missing from this post.

Bristol Zoo

Until recently Bristol Zoo was home to pygmy hippo Sirana, however she was moved to Florida in May 2021 and there are now no hippos at Bristol Zoo.

Tickets for visiting Bristol Zoo are available to book online priced from £12 for children and £17 for adults.

You can read more about visiting Bristol Zoo here:

A great day at Bristol Zoo Gardens – What the Redhead Said

Colchester Zoo

Colchester Zoo is home to a single pygmy hippo; Venus- her breeding partner Freddy sadly passed away in 2023.

Tickets for visiting Colchester Zoo are available to book online priced from £10 for children and £10 for adults.

You can read more about visiting Colchester Zoo here:

A day at our new favourite zoo – What the Redhead Said

Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo is currently home to two female common hippopotamus; Heidi was joined by Imani in early 2025. Henry the hippo with his protruding tusk, died in 2018 at the age of 41 and more recently Ernie died unexpectedly having only been at the zoo a short time.

Dublin Zoo isn’t massive so it’s great for little ones. When my sister and I visited a few years ago we saw one hippo basking in sun and the other doing laps of the pool – popping his head out at regular intervals! I could have stood and watched him all day if I’m honest.

Tickets for Dublin Zoo are available to book online priced at €14 for children and €19 for adults

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo currently has two pygmy hippos, an adult male, called Otto, an adult female called Gloria. Their baby Haggis (what a brilliant name for a hippo!) born in November 2024 will be moving to Wingham Wildlife Park at the end of October 2025 to play her important part in the international breeding programme for this endangered species.

It’s about 16 years since I last visited Edinburgh Zoo and I was heavily pregnant at the time – I remember it being quite hilly and hard work to walk around but I imagine my judgement was clouded!

Edinburgh Zoo is open 7 days a week and tickets are available to book online priced at £15.79 for children and £24.75 for adults including a donation to RZSS. You can claim up to 32% off Edinburgh Zoo tickets using Kids Pass.

You can read more about visiting Edinburgh Zoo here:

Edinburgh Zoo – What the Redhead Said

Tips & Tricks for Visiting Edinburgh Zoo – Mini Travelers

Flamingo Land North Yorkshire

Flamingo Land is home to three common hippos mother and daughter – Godzillia and Aurora and father Hoover.

The hippo enclosure at Flamingo Land consists of a large lake, a land area, a large mud wallow as well a nice warm house with an indoor pool for them to enjoy. Flamingo Land offer daily 15 minute “Keeper Talks” including one about the Hippos (and giraffes) at 12pm daily on the Hippo Viewing Deck.

Through the winter months, when the theme park itself is closed, Flamingo Land offer winter pricing where you can visit the zoo at Flamingo Land at a reduced price – tickets start from £14.50 per person.

General admission to Flamingo Land is priced from £52.50 per person and this includes access to both the zoo and the wider theme park.

You can read more about visiting Flamingo Land here:

A day out Flamingo Land with Kids Pass

London Zoo

London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo and is located in Regents Park in central London. London Zoo is home to two pygmy hippos called Thug and Nicky – you can find out more about pair of them here.

Tickets for visiting London Zoo are available to book online priced from £18.90 for children and £27.00 for adults. If you are flying into the city, ensure you organise a London airport transfer to get you to the zoo with ease.

You can read more about visiting London Zoo here:

A day at London Zoo with a baby and a toddler – What the Redhead Said

Tips for visiting London Zoo with kids – Mummy Travels

A Fun Family Day out at ZSL London Zoo – We Made This Life

Longleat Safari

Longleat Safari had two common hippos: Spot and Sonia however Sonia died in April 2023 and Spot died in January 2024. As of June 2025, Lola and Hodor have moved from Whipsnade to Longleat as part of a wider breeding programme.

The hippos at Longleat are free roaming and can be tricky to spot but with a bit of luck can be seen in their lake from the Jungle Cruise with the help of the eagle eyed keepers!

You can book tickets for Longleat Safari online

You can read more about visiting Longleat Safari here:

Our visit to Longleat Safari Park – The Life of Spicers

Marwell Zoo

Marwell Zoo is home to one pygmy hippo (you can see a video of him at the bottom of this page)

Tickets for Marwell Zoo are available to book online and are priced at £19 for children and £23 for adults including a donation to the Marwell Zoo conservation charity.

You can read more about visiting Marwell Zoo here:

Ten things to do at Marwell Zoo – What the Redhead Said

Marwell Zoo – Scrapbook Blog

A family day out at Marwell Zoo – Tantrums to Smiles

South Lakes Safari Zoo / Safari Zoo Cumbria | PERMANANTLY CLOSED

After years of animal welfare concerns, reports of poor management and even the death of a keeper, South Lakes Safari Zoo will permanently close at the end of December 2024

The first time we ever went to South Lakes Zoo (now known as Safari Zoo Cumbria) was before we had kids and Dave had planned me a surprise day out to see the hippos! They hid from us all day and the best we got was a pygmy hippo bottom!

South Lakes Safari Zoo has been a favourite day out for us over the years with the opportunity to hand feed the giraffes and watch feeding time for the big cats. It’s also a really inexpensive zoo compared to some other UK zoos. Unfortunately they no longer have pygmy hippos at South Lakes Safari Zoo.

Tickets for Safari Zoo Cumbria are available to book online and are typically priced at around £20 but are currently on offer just £10 per person until the end of March 2024

You can read more about visiting South Lakes Safari Zoo here:

Our South Lakes Safari Zoo Adventure

West Midlands Safari Park

West Midlands Safari Park is home to the largest pod of common hippo in the UK and there’s daily hippo talk at Hippo Lake so you can learn more about this amazing creatures! We finally visited West Midlands Safari Park to see the hippos this spring and retuned in September were I stood and watched the hippos for around two hours – on our first visit they didn’t move at all but this time they were wallowing in the lake and we were treated to hippo yawns, ear wiggles, tail spins and some very loud hippo noises too!

At the moment, the hippos are having a new home built which will also include a luxury lodge that you can book for a short break! (You know I’m absolutely dying to get that booked!)

Tickets for visiting West Midlands Safari Park are available to book online priced at £20 for children and £25 for adults. (A free return within 6 months is offered within this price – more info here)

You can read more about visiting Midlands Safari Zoo here:

West Midlands Safari Park – Review & Tips

A pretty amazing day at West Midlands Safari Park – What the Redhead Said

Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade Zoo was previously home a family of common hippo; Mum – Lola, Dad – Hoover and their calf Hodor who was born in 2017 however Lola ad Hodor have now moved to Longleat as part of a wider breeding programme.

Whipsnade Zoo have now cancelled their “meet the hippo experience” and I can’t tell you how gutted I am that I didn’t get chance to feed the hippos!

Whipsnade Zoo is home one pygmy hippo called Tapon – he’s 16 now.

Tickets for Whipsnade Zoo are available to book online priced from £18.90 per child and £27 per adult.

You can read more about visiting Whipsnade Zoo here:

Visiting Whipsnade Zoo with young children – Counting to Ten

Wingham Wildlife Park

Pygmy hippo Haggis (born in November 2024) will be moving to Wingham Wildlife Park at the end of October 2025 but they will be giving her time to settle into her new surroundings before she is introduced to the public.

Tickets for Wingham Wildlife Park can be booked online.

Where can I see hippos in the UK?

I think this is a fairly niche question, but one I had been asking myself so it made sense to share the outcomes of my research! Hopefully you’ve found somewhere to see hippos near you – I’m determined to see some common hippos in the UK over the coming year. Unfortunately, when it comes to zoos with hippos near me, Chester Zoo doesn’t have any hippos so now that we’ve done West Midlands Safari, I’d love to do the hippo feeding experience at Whipsnade! If you know of places to see hippos in the UK that I haven’t mentioned, please do let me know!

Photo Credits:

London Zoo Hippos – Mary Procter at Over 40 and a mum to one

Marwell Zoo Pygmy Hippo – Donna at What the Redhead Said

Longleat Safari hippos – Longleat Safari

West Midlands Safari hippos – Mary Procter at Over 40 and a mum to one

Whipsnade Zoo common hippos – Mary Procter at Over 40 and a mum to one

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