Last updated: 01 October 2007 1335 BST

From farm animals to wildlife, there
are opportunities galore to make feathered and furred friends at attractions across the county.

Birdland Park, Bourton-on-the-Water
Tel: 01451 820480
Click here for map
Exotic breeds of birds and penguins, picnic and play areas. Open all year. April-October, 10am-6pm daily, November-March, 10am-4pm (last admission one houre before closing)

Butts Farm, near South Cerney
Tel 01285 862205
Click here for map
Friendly traditional working farm with rare farm animals, opportunities to feed and cuddle small animals and pony rides. Open Easter-end October, Weds-Sun termtime, daily in school holidays, 11am-5pm. (Phone for spring lambing times).

Cattle Country, Berkeley Heath Farm, Berkeley
Tel: 01453 810510
Click here for map
American bison and other cattle. Also open-air adventure playground, indoor play areas with giant slides, climbing structures, ball pools and self-propelled go carts. Indoor activity area where children can take part in craft work or facepainting. Open Sat and Sun 10am-5pm. Also open every day 10am-5pm early July-early September.

Cotswold Falconry Centre, Batsford Park
near Moreton-in-Marsh
Tel: 01386 701043
Click here for map
See eagles, hawks, owls and falcons in flight as well as breeding pairs of many kinds of birds. Open mid-February to mid-November, 10.30am-5.30pm daily.

Meet owls at the National Birds of Prey Centre in Newent.

Cotswold Farm Park
Guiting Power near Stow-on-the-Wold
Tel: 01451 850307
Click here for map
Rare farm animals, nature trails, baby farm animals, lambing, sheep shearing, etc. 'Meet the animals' touch barn. Facilities for disabled. Children's education centre, adventure playground, pets corner, farm trail. Picnic area, cafe and kiosk. Open late March to mid-September, 10.30am-5pm daily.

Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford
Tel: 01993 823006
Click here for map
Actually this is just over the border in Oxfordshire but well worth a visit to see all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures including rare Asiatic lions, leopards, reptiles, meerkats and red pandas - very different from the giant variety we are all familiar with. Open daily from 10am. Last admission 4.30pm March-September, 4pm October, 3.30pm November-February.

National Birds of Prey Centre, Newent
Tel: 0870 990 1992
Click here for map
One of the largest collection of birds of prey in the world. Over 110 aviaries housing eagles, falcons, owls, vultures, kites, hawks, and buzzards. Open February-October, 10.30am-5.30pm or dusk if earlier. More info here and on their website.

There are lots of animals to see and cuddle at the Cotswold Farm Park.

Prinknash Bird Park, near Cranham
Tel: 01452 812727
Click here for map
Actually more famous for its cute fallow deer, but you can also meet pygmy goats, peacocks and waterfowl.
Open 10am-5pm summer, 10am-4pm winter.

Vale Wildlife Visitor Centre, Evesham Country Park (over the Gloucestershire border in Worcestershire)
Tel: 01386 443348
Click here for map
A "window" for the dedicated work done by the staff at the Vale Wildlife Rescue Centre in Beckford near Tewkesbury which isn't open to the public. The charity cares for sick and injured wild animals and birds. Adults £3.50, Children £3. Under 3s free. Open from 10.30am daily (all year except Christmas and Boxing Day) See the website for more details

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge
Tel: 01453 890333 or 890065
Click here for map
Founded by the late naturalist Sir Peter Scott, here you'll find the world's largest collection of exotic wildfowl, interactive exhibits, and holiday activities - voted Bird Centre of the Year by the Good Britain Guide 2002. Open Summer daily, 9.30am-5pm, Winter daily, 9.30am-4.30pm. Closed Christmas Day.

Back to Tourist Attractions index