White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England
No. of animals
800+
Major exhibits
Land of the Tigers, Amazon & Beyond, Lion Pride Lands, Sun Bear Heights, Jaguar Jungle, Penguin Falls, Farmyard, Rainforest Experience, Reptile Temple, World of Dinosaurs
Aleena, an Amur tiger at Hertfordshire ZooWorld of Dinosaurs exhibitAfrican penguin at Penguin Falls
Hertfordshire Zoo, formerly known as Paradise Wildlife Park and originally opened as Broxbourne Zoo in the 1960s, is a privately operated zoological park and registered conservation charity located in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England. The zoo is managed by the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire (registered charity no. 1108609) and is home to over 800 animals across themed habitats. Notable for its transformation from a poorly rated facility into a modern wildlife attraction, the zoo has featured prominently in UK media, including the CBBC series One Zoo Three.[1][2] The zoo rebranded as Hertfordshire Zoo in 2022 to mark its 40th anniversary and to reflect its identity within the county. It continues to be used as a filming location for wildlife programming, including the CBBC show One Zoo Three and other spin-offs.[3]
The zoo was originally established in the early 1960s as Broxbourne Zoo. By the 1980s, it had become infamous for poor animal welfare standards and was dubbed "the worst zoo in Britain" by animal rights groups and the press.[4][5]
In 1984, the Sampson family purchased the zoo and began a major overhaul to improve animal welfare and facilities. The site was temporarily closed for renovations before reopening as Paradise Park and Woodland Zoo, later rebranded as Paradise Wildlife Park.[6]
Under the leadership of Lynn Whitnall, who became CEO in 2017, the park continued its modernisation and strengthened its conservation focus. That same year, the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire was established as the charity arm. In 2022, it was announced that the park would be rebranded as Hertfordshire Zoo as part of its 40th anniversary celebration.[7]
Animals and attractions
Hertfordshire Zoo houses over 800 animals across numerous themed exhibits.[8] Notable residents include Amur tigers, snow leopards, African penguins, red pandas, Bactrian camels, white lions, and Optimus Prime—the largest green anaconda in the UK.[9][10]
In February 2024, Hertfordshire Zoo received the 'Experience of the Year' award at the East of England Tourism Awards.[17][18] According to the organisers, the award recognised the strength of visitor engagement, staff knowledge, and the variety of interactive experiences, including the zoo’s 'Feed a Big Cat' programme.[19][20][21]
The zoo was also shortlisted in the 'Large Visitor Attraction of the Year' category at the same awards.[22][23]
In October 2024, Chris Eley, Education Lead at Hertfordshire Zoo, was awarded the Bird Photographer of the Year Conservation Award for his "compelling images highlighting the plight of vulture species in South Africa"[24]
Conservation and criticism
White lions at Hertfordshire Zoo
The Zoological Society of Hertfordshire supports endangered species breeding programmes, including African penguin conservation.[25] However, the zoo has drawn criticism for breeding white lions, with concerns over inbreeding and lack of conservation value.[26]
Financial and legal matters
In 2023, Hertfordshire Zoo (operating as Paradise Wildlife Park Ltd) lost a tax appeal against HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) concerning the VAT treatment of construction services for its lion enclosure and World of Dinosaurs exhibit. The zoo had applied zero-rated VAT, asserting that these structures were intended solely for charitable purposes. However, the First-tier Tribunal determined that the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire was conducting business activities, including charging admission and operating a gift shop and café. It concluded that the constructions were not used exclusively for charitable purposes and thus did not qualify for VAT zero-rating. The tribunal also found that the dinosaur attraction did not constitute a building under VAT regulations. As a result, the zoo became liable for a VAT assessment totalling £411,641.[27][28][29]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hertfordshire Zoo experienced significant financial strain due to prolonged closures and reduced visitor capacity. In response, the zoo launched an Animal Support Fund to help maintain the welfare of its animals, raising over £52,000 through public donations. The zoo also introduced new exhibits, including Land of the Tigers, to encourage visits once restrictions eased, and gained national attention through the debut of the CBBC series One Zoo Three.[30]
An earlier controversy emerged in 2005 when Stephen Sampson, then associated with Paradise Wildlife Park, was convicted for his role in a £1.3 million fraud scheme targeting government funds earmarked for environmental projects. Sampson and two accomplices channelled public money through fraudulent consultancy firms and fabricated invoices, with a portion of the proceeds used to finance a £400,000 environmental centre at the zoo. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.[31][32][33][34]
Those listed in italics contain more than 5000 animals
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