This post was last updated January 2026 and contains affiliate links.
This year Penguin Awareness Day is celebrated on 20th January. Whether you are a penguin lover or not, it's sad to hear that penguin numbers are dwindling each year. Celebrating Penguin Awareness Day or National Penguin Day can help support penguins by donating to charities or you can visit your local zoo to find out more about penguins. You can help save penguins by adopting a penguin or enjoying penguin experiences across the UK. They are a great way to get up close to the penguins and learn more about them.
Penguin Cove Experience At Chester Zoo
Location
Chester Zoo, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 1LE
What’s included
- Feed the Humboldt penguins from a purpose-built feeding platform
- Dedicated penguin keeper as your guide
- Learn fascinating facts about penguins and their care
- Exclusive souvenir gift and personalised experience certificate
Duration
Approximately 1 hour, including around 20 minutes on the Penguin Cove feeding platform
Admission included?
Yes, entry to Chester Zoo is included in the price of the experience
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
This is a hands-on, educational experience that allows you to get incredibly close to Humboldt penguins while learning directly from expert keepers, perfect for animal lovers and memorable gift experiences.
Adopt A Penguin At Blackpool Zoo
Location
Blackpool Zoo, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP
What’s included
12-month penguin adoption
Two admission tickets to Blackpool Zoo
Personalised adoption certificate
Penguin fact sheet and thank-you letter
Name displayed on the adopter’s board
Duration
Adoption lasts for 12 months
Admission included?
Yes, two zoo admission tickets are included as part of the adoption package
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
Perfect for those who want to support penguin conservation while enjoying a meaningful keepsake — it also makes a lovely gift for animal-loving families.
The Penguin Experience, Lotherton
Location
Lotherton Hall, near Leeds, West Yorkshire
What’s included
Meet Humboldt penguins in a purpose-built penguin pool
VIP wristband and full safety briefing
Feed penguins under keeper supervision
Learn penguin facts and behaviour from an experienced keeper
Duration
Approximately 30 minutes
Admission included?
Experience availability varies; zoo admission policies may differ
Unfortunately the penguin experience is currently unavailable however you can still get involved by adopting a penguin
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
A fun and interactive experience offering close encounters with playful penguins — ideal for families and first-time animal experience participants.
Meet and Feed The Penguins at Welsh Mountain Zoo
Location
Welsh Mountain Zoo, Old Highway, Colwyn Bay, LL28 5UY
What’s included
Meet and feed Humboldt penguins
One-to-one chat with a penguin keeper
Learn interesting facts about penguin care and conservation
Duration
Approximately 20–30 minutes
Admission included?
Animal experiences are currently on hiatus - however you can still adopt a Humboldt penguin.
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
A more intimate experience focused on learning and conservation, perfect for those who enjoy keeper-led encounters.
Meet and Feed The Penguins at Flamingo Land
Location
Flamingo Land Resort, North Yorkshire, YO17 6UX
What’s included
Feed South American Humboldt penguins
Poolside feeding with fish provided
Viewing access for spectators from the bridge
Duration
During scheduled daily feeding sessions
Admission included?
No, park admission is required separately
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
Combining a fun family theme park visit with an unforgettable penguin feeding experience makes this a great value day out.
Feed Humboldts and Macaronis at Folly Farm
Location
Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo, Pembrokeshire, SA68 0XA
What’s included
Meet Humboldt and Macaroni penguins
Hand-feed penguins
Behind-the-scenes penguin kitchen tour
Q&A session with the penguin keeper
Cuddly penguin toy made from recycled materials
Personalised certificate
Duration
At least 20 minutes
Admission included?
Yes (or available at a reduced price without park entry)
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
This experience offers fantastic behind-the-scenes access and the rare chance to meet two penguin species, ideal for keen wildlife fans.
Penguin Encounter at Twycross Zoo
Location
Twycross Zoo, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3PX
What’s included
Feed penguins inside the Penguin Pool area
Time with a penguin keeper
Penguin-themed souvenir
Duration
Approximately 30 minutes
Admission included?
No, but discounted zoo entry is available when booking
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
A well-balanced experience combining hands-on feeding with expert insights, ideal for families and animal enthusiasts.
Penguin Keeper Experience at London Zoo
Location
London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY
What’s included
Behind-the-scenes keeper experience
Prepare food and help clean the penguin habitat
Learn about penguin health checks
Feed the penguins at Penguin Beach
Duration
Approximately 90 minutes
Admission included?
No, zoo admission must be purchased separately
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
A dream experience for anyone fascinated by animal care, this offers an authentic insight into life as a penguin keeper.
Feed The Penguins Experience at Drusillas Park
Location
Drusillas Park, Berwick, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 5QS
What’s included
One-to-one penguin feeding experience
Go behind the scenes inside the penguin enclosure
Feed the Humboldt penguins their favourite treats
Dedicated time with a Zoo Keeper to ask penguin-related questions
Opportunity to take close-up photos from inside the enclosure
Duration
Experience length varies
Admission included?
Yes, entry to Drusillas Park is included for Penguin Experience participants
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
This intimate, behind-the-scenes encounter offers fantastic photo opportunities and personal interaction with keepers, making it a memorable experience for true penguin fans.
Penguin Feeding Experience at Marwell Zoo
Location
Marwell Zoo, Thompson’s Lane, Colden Common, Winchester, SO21 1JH
What’s included
Behind-the-scenes access to Penguin Cove
Feed the penguin colony with keeper guidance
Learn about penguin care and conservation
10% discount in the zoo gift shop
E-certificate and E-gift card
Duration
Approximately 30 minutes
Admission included?
Yes, zoo entry on the day of your experience is included
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
Perfect for those who want a deeper understanding of penguin life, this experience combines hands-on feeding with expert knowledge in a relaxed setting.
Penguin Magic Moment at Edinburgh Zoo
Location
Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS
What’s included
Feed Gentoo penguins their favourite fish
Learn fascinating facts about the penguins and their species
Time with knowledgeable zoo keepers
Duration
Experience length varies
Admission included?
Yes, entry to Edinburgh Zoo is included
Additional perks include free car parking and 10% off in the gift shop
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
This magical experience offers close encounters with Gentoo penguins in one of the UK’s most famous zoos, ideal for memorable gifts or special occasions.
Meet The Penguins at Belfast Zoo
Location
Belfast Zoo, Antrim Road, Belfast, BT36 7PN
What’s included
Meet Gentoo and Rockhopper penguins
Feed the penguins during the experience
Chat with the keepers who care for the penguins
Experience certificate, fact sheet and penguin photograph
Duration
Approximately 30 minutes
Admission included?
Yes, zoo admission for the participant is included
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
A well-rounded experience combining feeding, learning and keepsakes, perfect for families or anyone wanting to support penguin conservation.
Walk With Penguins at Peak Wildlife Park
Location
Peak Wildlife Park, Winkhill, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 7QR
What’s included
Walk among the Humboldt penguin colony
30 minutes feeding and interacting with penguins
Hands-on experience led by a dedicated animal keeper
Behind-the-scenes tour of the penguin facility and keeper kitchen
Commemorative certificate
Complimentary park entry for the participant
Duration
Approximately 30 minutes
Admission included?
Yes, complimentary entry to Peak Wildlife Park is included for the participant
Why it’s great for penguin lovers
This unique walk-through experience is one of the most immersive penguin encounters in the UK — ideal for those wanting something truly unforgettable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Penguin Experiences in the UK
What is Penguin Awareness Day?
Penguin Awareness Day is celebrated each year on 20th January. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about penguin conservation and the challenges penguins face in the wild, including climate change, habitat loss and overfishing.
Are penguin experiences ethical?
Reputable UK zoos and wildlife parks run penguin experiences with animal welfare as their top priority. These experiences are carefully managed, led by trained keepers and designed to be enriching for the penguins while also educating visitors about conservation and responsible animal care.
Can children take part in penguin experiences?
Yes, many penguin experiences are suitable for children, although minimum age requirements vary depending on the zoo or attraction. Some experiences are family-friendly, while others are designed for older children or adults, so it’s always best to check age limits before booking.
Do penguin experiences include zoo entry?
Some penguin experiences include zoo admission as part of the price, while others require separate entry tickets. Several attractions also offer discounted entry when booking a penguin experience, so it’s worth checking what’s included before you visit.
What types of penguins can you meet in the UK?
Most UK zoos offer experiences with Humboldt penguins, but some attractions also feature Gentoo, Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins. Each species has unique behaviours and habitats, making every experience slightly different.
Can you adopt a penguin in the UK?
Yes, many UK zoos offer penguin adoption packages. While you won’t take a penguin home, adoption helps support animal care and conservation efforts and usually includes certificates, fact sheets and sometimes zoo tickets or exclusive updates.
Are penguin experiences suitable as gifts?
Penguin experiences make fantastic gifts for animal lovers of all ages. Many attractions offer gift vouchers or experience certificates, making them ideal for birthdays, Christmas or special occasions.
How can I support penguin conservation beyond visiting a zoo?
You can support penguin conservation by donating to wildlife charities, adopting a penguin through a zoo or conservation organisation, reducing plastic use
Have you ever enjoyed a penguin experience? If so we would love to hear about it.
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Michelle
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