Animal Experiences
"My son had a Junior Keeper experience here as a 7th birthday present and he absolutely loved it!
He has been talking about it ever since and is so keen to do another one!
Highly recommended!!!"
Cedars Animal Experiences
Looking for an animal experience for that animal lover or budding zookeeper in your life?
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Check out our animal experiences below!
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Junior Keeper Experience (£110)
Joint Junior Keeper Experience (£200)​
Maximum of 2 child participants only.
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Our best selling experience!
For children aged 6 years - 13 years.
Junior Keeper Experiences run over two hours.
The Junior Keeper (alongside 1 adult) shadows our zoo keeper and helps them to clean and feed a wide range of animals to get a real feel of what its like to be a zoo keeper.
They will get to stroke many animals along the way and it ends by meeting our cheeky meerkats!
Its purposefully been made to be fun, informative and is perfect for all budding zoo keepers!
This experience runs 10am-12pm daily.
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VIP Tour (£50 per person)
Whether you are 6 or 106 years old, this tour is perfect for a group who want to get up close and personal to the animals and find out more about what goes on behind the scenes here at Cedars Nature Centre.
The VIP tours lasts 1.5 hours and you will get to meet a variety of our wonderful animals!
£50 per person with a minimum of 2 people per group.
Age 6 plus maximum group size of 5.
This experience runs daily.
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Meet the Meerkats Experience (£40 per person)
Want to get up close and personal with our cheeky meerkats?
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In our brand new experience you will find out more about their behaviour, social structure and natural history all whilst having them use you as a tree!
The Meet the Meerkats Experience lasts 30 mins .
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This experience is for ages 6 years plus.
£40 per person with a minimum of 2 people per group maximum group size of 4.
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This experience runs at 10am daily.
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Cedars Nature Centre – Animal Experiences FAQ
What animal experiences does Cedars Nature Centre offer?
Cedars Nature Centre offers a range of hands‑on animal experiences, including Meerkat Encounters, Reptile Encounters, Mini Keeper Experiences, and VIP Keeper Experiences. Each experience allows visitors to get close to animals while learning from an experienced keeper.
How long do the animal experiences last?
Animal experiences last between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
What is included in the Meerkat Encounter?
The Meerkat Encounter allows guests to step inside the meerkat enclosure, feed the meerkats, and learn about their behaviour, diet, and care from a keeper. It is a close‑up, interactive experience suitable for 6 years plus.
What is included in the Reptile Encounter?
The Reptile Encounter includes meeting and handling a selection of reptiles such as snakes, lizards, or tortoises. A keeper provides educational insights into reptile habitats, adaptations, and care.
What is the Junior Keeper Experience?
The Junior Keeper Experience gives children the chance to become a keeper for the day. Activities may include feeding animals, preparing food, cleaning enclosures, and learning how keepers care for different species.
What is the VIP Experience?
The VIP Experience is an extended, behind‑the‑scenes session offering a deeper look at animal care. Participants work alongside a keeper, meet a wide range of animals, and take part in exclusive activities not available in standard encounters.
Are animal experiences suitable for children?
Yes. Many experiences are suitable for children, although the minimum age requirement is 6 years for safety. Adult supervision may be required depending on the experience type.
Do I need to book animal experiences in advance?
Yes. All animal experiences must be booked in advance to ensure keeper availability and to provide the best possible interactive session.
Can I buy animal experiences as a gift?
Yes. Animal experiences can be purchased as gift vouchers, making them a popular choice for birthdays, celebrations, and special occasions.
Are animal experiences private or shared?
All our experiences are private sessions, allowing your group to enjoy exclusive time with the animals and keeper.
What should I wear for an animal experience?
Visitors should wear comfortable, weather‑appropriate clothing and closed‑toe shoes. Some experiences involve entering enclosures or participating in keeper tasks, so practical clothing is recommended.
Are photos allowed during the experience?
Yes. Guests are welcome to take photos during experiences, unless otherwise stated by the keeper for animal safety reasons.
How do I book an animal experience?
Animal experiences can be booked directly through the Animal Experiences page on the Cedars Nature Centre website. Early booking is recommended, especially during weekends and school holidays.