Edinburgh

Five Sisters Zoo – Bears, a Cheetah and the Lost Kingdom

A few hours.

The route

Five Sisters Zoo is a family-run zoo in the West Lothian countryside, home to more than 160 species from around the world, from rescued brown bears to what the zoo says is Scotland's only cheetah.

There's an indoor reptile house for when it rains, a restaurant and a play park. It's a lovely, easy day for families with young children.

Before you go

Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
PenicuikSteadingSleeps 4 PenicuikThe ByreSleeps 4 10 miles awayCartshedSleeps 2 10 miles awayWoodshedSleeps 2

The day

West Calder

A day round the zoo's paths, from the bears to the reptile house, with lunch in the restaurant or a picnic in the marquee.

About four hoursAbout 1.5 miles on foot

Five Sisters Zoo
Five Sisters Zoo is on Polbeth Road, a few minutes east of West Calder in West Lothian, with its own car parks at the entrance. It's open every day except Christmas Day and 1 January, from 10am. It closes at 5pm in October and March (last entry 3.30pm), 4pm in November, January and February (last entry 2.30pm) and 3pm in December (last entry 1.30pm). There's no need to book. Tickets at the time of writing are £21.95 for adults, £16.50 for children aged 3 to 15 and £64.95 for a family of two adults and two children, with under-3s free. More than 160 species live here, among them the zoo's rescued brown bears, its cheetah and lemurs. The Lost Kingdom is an indoor tropical house of dwarf crocodiles, blood pythons and beaded lizards, good for a shower. Lunch is in the Leaping Lemurs restaurant, beside a big indoor soft play that is paid for separately. The outdoor food stands and the children's rides run only at weekends and in the holidays, and a covered marquee seats 120 for a picnic. The paths are mostly flat, with a few slopes marked on the park map. Dogs can't come into the zoo; guide and assistance dogs can.