At a glance
Welsh Mountain Zoo (LL28 5UY) is North Wales's only zoo, on a hillside above Colwyn Bay. Open 364 days a year. Adult ~£18, child ~£13. Free car park. Snow leopards, chimps, red pandas, sea lions, penguins and 100+ species. Panoramic views of Colwyn Bay and Snowdonia. Colwyn Bay rail station 1 mile (North Wales coast line). Allow a full day.
About the Welsh Mountain Zoo
The Welsh Mountain Zoo opened in 1963 on a 37-acre hillside site above Colwyn Bay — a location chosen for its south-facing aspect, mild microclimate and extraordinary views over the bay and towards Snowdonia. It is North Wales's only zoo and one of the more underrated family attractions in the region, consistently rated highly for the quality of its enclosures, the visibility of its animals and the care taken with its conservation programmes.
The snow leopard programme is the zoo's greatest distinction. The Welsh Mountain Zoo participates in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for snow leopards — one of the world's most threatened large cats — and has bred several cubs over the years. The animals are housed in an enclosure designed to give good viewing conditions from multiple angles, and the zoo's keepers offer talks and information that put the conservation challenge in context. Globally, the snow leopard population is estimated at fewer than 7,000 individuals across 12 countries in Central and South Asia.
The chimpanzee enclosure — a Sumatran chimpanzee group with outdoor island and indoor facilities — is one of the zoo's most popular areas. The Californian sea lion pool has daily talks and demonstrations. The penguin enclosure, red panda habitat and reptile house add to a collection that includes over 100 species. The hillside site means some walking between areas — the views at every level are exceptional, with Snowdonia's mountains visible to the south and the Irish Sea to the north on clear days.
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Frequently asked questions
The Welsh Mountain Zoo houses over 100 animal species across approximately 37 acres. Headline animals include snow leopards (the zoo is known for its successful snow leopard conservation programme), Sumatran chimpanzees, red pandas, Californian sea lions (with daily talks), Humboldt penguins, Asiatic lions, Scottish wildcats and a wide range of reptiles, birds and invertebrates. The chimpanzee enclosure is one of the most popular areas, with an outdoor island and indoor viewing galleries.
Yes — the Welsh Mountain Zoo is open 364 days a year (closing only on Christmas Day). This makes it one of North Wales's most reliable all-year family attractions. Summer hours are typically 9:30am–5pm; winter hours 9:30am–4pm with last entry one hour before closing. The zoo maintains its full collection year-round — winter visits can be excellent, with fewer crowds and animals often more active in cooler temperatures.
The Welsh Mountain Zoo has a long-standing and internationally recognised snow leopard conservation and breeding programme. Snow leopards are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 7,000 individuals remaining in the wild across the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. The zoo participates in coordinated European breeding programmes (EEP) and has successfully bred snow leopard cubs — contributing to the species' global survival prospects.
The zoo is set on a hillside above Colwyn Bay with a south-facing orientation that gives extraordinary views on clear days. Looking south, Snowdonia's mountains fill the horizon. Looking north, Colwyn Bay and the Irish Sea stretch to the horizon. The viewing areas for some of the larger enclosures incorporate these views as a backdrop — the effect of watching snow leopards against a backdrop of sea and mountain is genuinely impressive.
By car, the zoo is signed from Colwyn Bay town centre on the A55 — follow the brown signs for the Welsh Mountain Zoo (postcode LL28 5UY). By train, Colwyn Bay station (on the North Wales coast main line) is approximately 1 mile from the zoo — a walk or taxi from the station. A seasonal bus service from Colwyn Bay town centre may operate in summer — check locally.