The main building of the New Forest Wildlife Park is a long green shed which houses several small ponds for the otters, along with a hedgehog garden, stoat and ferret pens and mouse display boxes, each one created in a way that echoes the particular animal’s natural environment.

There are many different breeds of otter at the park, not just the one native to the UK but also breeds from as far afield as Canada and Asia. The endangered giant otters can also be seen, these animals can grow to a whopping 1.8m long!
These playful creatures are always entertaining to watch and always seem to be active in one area or another.

Daily feeding times for various animals, along with keeper talks, certainly guarantee close-up viewings, although an impromptu visit may miss these scheduled events so phoning ahead to check times is a good idea.
Throughout the year the park also offers animal encounters and special events, while extra activities include animal adoptions, group visits and Keeper Experience Days.

Other things to see at the New Forest Wildlife Park include a night room where you can view badgers and foxes as they sleep, a bird and butterfly garden, a dragonfly pond and ferret house.

For the kids there are two outdoor adventure playgrounds – Go Wild for six year olds and up, and Mini Go Wild for the under 6’s.

A relaxing stroll around the park can take you a couple of hours and on exiting you can browse a well stocked gift shop, or grab a bite to eat and a drink at the cafe.

All in all, The New Forest Wildlife Park is an excellent attraction within the New Forest National Park for anyone who has the slightest interest in wildlife and conservation. The hands on experience with the deer is always a hit with the kids, and adults too!