Last Updated on January 7, 2026 by Suzy McCullough
Capybara experiences in the UK give visitors a rare chance to meet and feed the world’s largest rodents in a safe, supervised setting. Several wildlife parks and zoos, from small boutique reserves to larger institutions, host “meet the capybara” or “feeding‑encounter” sessions. Keepers guide guests into enclosures to feed and sometimes gently stroke these relaxed, social animals. For many people, it’s a memorable encounter: watching calm, water-loving capybaras graze, swim, and interact while learning about their natural behaviours and habitats makes it much more than a simple zoo visit.
Below, I take a look at the different places that offer Capybara experiences. I was surprised by how many there are!
Lotherton Hall – West Yorkshire
Get up close and personal with the cutest giant rodents around. At The Capybara Experience, you’ll meet and feed the resident capybaras, named Carly and Bryan. During roughly 30-minute sessions, a friendly keeper walks you into their enclosure for a VIP encounter where you learn about their natural habitat and quirky behaviours while giving them lunch. It’s a unique chance to connect with these gentle, water-loving animals and get some unforgettable photos. From the age of 10.
Hertfordshire Zoo – Hertfordshire
The “Meet the Capybaras” experience at Hertfordshire Zoo offers a 30‑minute session where participants are escorted into the capybara habitat by a zookeeper. During that half-hour, you’ll get to feed and gently scratch the capybaras under supervision, while learning about their natural behaviours, a lovely opportunity to see these calm, social animals up close. Ideal for those aged 8 and above (with adult supervision if under 16).
Hobbledown Heath – London
During the experience, you’ll be led into the enclosure by the animal team, given leafy treats like lettuce or leaves and shown how to safely feed the capybaras while getting a chance to meet their friendly keepers and ask questions. Wellie boots are required because the enclosure can be muddy. and makes for a short but memorable wildlife encounter. The experience is suitable for children aged 6 and up
Twycross Zoo – Leicestershire
At Twycross Zoo, you can join the Capybara Experience to meet and feed their capybara herd inside their habitat, under the supervision of the zookeepers. The session gives you a close-up chance to learn about these gentle giants, see how they behave, and ask keepers all your questions. Depending on how long you stay for photos or chatting with keepers, the encounter typically lasts about 30–45 minutes. This experience is for a maximum of 4 guests with a minimum age of 6 years old.
Hoo Zoo – Shropshire
At Hoo Zoo, you can spend a dedicated 30‑minute session stepping into the capybara enclosure for an intimate, up‑close encounter with their capybaras, including the famous one, Cinnamon. During that time, you’ll help feed them and assist with enrichment activities while a keeper talks you through their habits and behaviours, giving a real insight into the lives of these gentle, water‑loving rodents. It’s a short but immersive experience. Complete with plenty of chances for photos and a calm, relaxed atmosphere that makes it more than just a quick animal visit. Participants must be able-bodied and be 8 years or older.
Chew Valley Animal Park – Bristol
At Chew Valley Animal Park, you can enjoy a private 30‑minute encounter with their capybaras, giving you the chance to meet and feed them, gently interact, and ask keepers questions, while capturing some memorable photos. The experience also includes all‑day entry to the park, a small lunch voucher, and a keepsake key ring, making it a full and thoughtful visit beyond just the animal encounter. The gift voucher remains valid for a year, providing flexibility over when to book the experience. The minimum age for this experience is 8 years old.
Exploris Aquarium – Northern Ireland
The Capybara Lunch experience runs for about 20–30 minutes and brings you right into the capybaras’ area to meet siblings “Jack” and “Jill.” You’ll help prepare their meal and feed them under keeper supervision, learning about their habits and lifestyle. The meet‑and‑feed session offers a unique opportunity to get close to these calm, sociable creatures, with admission to the aquarium included. For ages 10 and over.
Wolds Wildlife Park – Lincolnshire
You can book a private 20–30 minute encounter to meet and feed their resident capybaras — Crackle, Pop and Cruella. You’ll be guided by an experienced keeper, hand-feed the capybaras treats, learn about how they live and behave (especially their love of water), and even have the chance to grab some great photos. Entry into the park is included, so you’re free to explore other animals and enjoy the other park facilities before or after the capybara session. The minimum age requirement is 8 years old.
London Zoo – London
At London Zoo, you can book a 20‑minute Capybara Encounter to step behind the barriers and meet their capybaras up close. During the session, you’ll learn about the capybaras’ personalities, discover how they are trained using positive reinforcement, and even help with a training activity alongside the keepers. You’ll see how the animals behave naturally, swimming, lounging or interacting and get the chance to ask any questions about their care and habitat. It’s a compact but special behind‑the‑scenes experience for capybara fans. Children must be at least 8 years of age and be accompanied by an adult who must also purchase a capybara encounter ticket.
Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park – Suffolk
Start your visit at Jimmy’s Farm with a 30‑minute “Captivating Capybaras” session where you step inside the enclosure to meet a group of five capybaras, under the guidance of a ranger. You’ll get to hand‑feed and gently interact with these calm, water‑loving rodents, learn about their adaptations (like webbed feet and love of water), and hear all about their natural behaviours. Even if the capybaras aren’t in the mood to come close, you’ll still enjoy getting up close and watching them in their habitat, then have the rest of the day’s entry to explore the rest of the park. Minimum age of 8 years.
Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park
All Things Wild – Worcestershire
At All Things Wild, you can book a 30‑minute “Capybara Experience” that brings you right up close to their calm capybara crew. Participants are guided into the enclosure for hand‑feeding and can snap some memorable photos, a lovely chance to see how these gentle creatures behave in a relaxing, natural‑style environment. The session includes full-day entry to the park for everyone involved, and the minimum age to take part is 10 years old.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm – Somerset
Step into the world of capybaras at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm with an encounter that lets you meet and feed these gentle animals under the guidance of experienced keepers. It’s a hands-on opportunity to learn about their social nature, water-loving habits, and daily routines, with plenty of chances for photos and questions. The experience also includes full access to the rest of the zoo, allowing you to explore other animals before or after your capybara session for a full and enjoyable day out. For those aged 8 and over.
Northumberland Zoo – Northumberland
At Northumberland Zoo, you can join a small‑group behind‑the‑scenes visit with keepers to meet their capybaras. This is an opportunity to feed them, ask questions, and observe them up close in their habitat. The experience includes admission to the zoo, a complimentary drink at the café, a small capybara gift, and a certificate to remember the visit. You’ll get a short briefing before entering the enclosure, and while interaction is carefully supervised and doesn’t involve inappropriate handling, it’s a gentle, educational and memorable experience for capybara fans. The encounter lasts for 20 minutes and is suitable for ages 10 and over.
Blackpool Zoo – Lancashire
At Blackpool Zoo, you can enjoy the “Meet the Capybara” experience. Step inside the capybara enclosure to feed these gentle giants and learn about their habits with a guided keeper tour. Each session lasts up to 30 minutes, giving you a close and personal look at the world’s largest rodents. The experience includes full zoo admission, a car‑park pass, a certificate, and the encounter is private to you (or you and up to three friends). It’s a unique chance to get hands‑on, ask questions, and enjoy a fun behind‑the‑scenes animal encounter. Suitable for ages 12 and over.
Millets Wildside – Oxfordshire
At Millets Wildside, you can step into the enclosure to meet and feed their friendly capybaras, discovering their social behaviours and learning about their water-loving habits. Each session lasts around 30 minutes and includes full access to the rest of the centre, so you can enjoy the wider wildlife park, exhibits, and facilities on the same day. It’s a relaxed and immersive way to get hands-on with these calm, gentle animals. The experience is suitable for ages 8 and above (with adult supervision for under‑16s) and takes place in a small group of up to 6 people
Wingham Wildlife Park – Kent
At Wingham Wildlife Park, you’ll get a private session inside the capybara enclosure for 15 minutes. Just you (or you and one other person), no crowds. During that brief encounter, you’ll be able to stroke and interact with their capybaras while a keeper shares interesting facts about their behaviour and habits. The booking also gives you park entry for the rest of the day, so you can enjoy all the other animals and attractions at the zoo before or after your capybara visit. This experience is not suitable for children younger than 5 years old.
Shepreth Wildlife Park – Hertfordshire
During their experience, you will enter the capybara habitat for a personal encounter where you can feed and gently interact with these calm, curious animals. The visit also includes entry to the entire park, and after your time with the capybaras, you’re free to explore everything else the park has to offer. The session typically lasts around 30 minutes and offers a rare opportunity to stroke the capybaras, ask keepers questions, and enjoy a behind‑the‑scenes view of their daily care. Participants must be 16 years or older.
Drusillas Park – East Sussex
The “close‑encounter” experience at Drusillas Park invites you behind the scenes to meet the zoo’s beavers and capybaras in their shared enclosure. You will get hands‑on, feeding them, helping prepare their treats, and observing their gentle, sociable behaviour alongside a keeper. The encounter includes full park entry and offers a one‑on‑one opportunity to ask questions, feed the animals and capture some great close‑up photos. The session itself lasts around 30–40 minutes, giving you just enough time to connect with the animals without rushing. Minimum age 5 years, no maximum age!
Edinburgh Zoo – Scotland
The Capybara Magic Moment lets you meet, feed, and interact with the zoo’s resident capybaras in a supervised, up‑close encounter. For 30 minutes, you can learn about their behaviours, habitat and care directly from expert keepers, with a chance to give them a scratch and ask questions. It’s a great way to see these gentle, social rodents from close by and enjoy a special behind‑the‑scenes moment. Suitable for ages 7 and over.
Meadows Wildlife Park – Wales
Visitors to The Meadows Wildlife Park can book a Capybara Encounter that lets you step inside the enclosure to meet and feed the capybaras, finding out all about their habits and personalities while snapping some lovely photos. The experience includes full park admission for the day, and participants are required to wear closed‑toe shoes for safety. The encounter lasts around 30 minutes, and you can choose to book for one or two people. It’s a private, guided session tuned for people aged 12 and above (with adult supervision if under 16).
