Where is Animal Park filmed? All you need to know about the BBC 2 wildlife show

Animal Park is airing its Christmas 2022 special after a successful season 17 with new presenter Megan McCubbin, and as the park gets festive by introducing viewers to the Reindeer, fans are wondering where is Animal Park filmed?

All your favourite presenters - Kate Humble, Ben Fogle and wildlife photographer Hamza Yassin, who after taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2022 was crowned winner of the series - have returned to let viewers see their favourite festive animals, and fans are keen to know where the show is set, so we look at all you need to know about Animal Park and it's location...

Where is Animal Park filmed?

Animal Park is filmed at Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire and is a documentary based on the lives of keepers and animals there. Longleat has been the location of the series, ever since it first broadcast back in 2000. But Longleat isn't the only location to have featured in the series. There have been two spin-offs from the main series. Animal Park: Wild in Africa was originally broadcast in 2005 on BBC Two. Set in Namibia, it documented the work of wildlife conservationists. Another spin-off, Animal Park: Wild on the West Coast, had a similar format in California, and was originally broadcast in 2007 on BBC Two.

New co-presenter, Megan was delighted to be joining the team for filming at Longleat earlier this year. She said, "I am so excited to be joining the Animal Park team. I remember watching the show as a child, so it's very special to be a part of the programme, helping to enthuse and excite about some of the most remarkable species we share our planet with!

“I have loved getting to know the residents of the park, learning about their characters and their behaviour. They truly are wonderful ambassadors for their wild cousins."

Where is Longleat?

Longleat is a wildlife and safari park based in Warminster, Wiltshire. By car, it is just off the A36 between Bath and Salisbury (A362 Warminster – Frome road). From the South East: M3 (J8) - A303 - A36 towards Bath – Longleat is just off the A362 between Warminster and Frome. When it opened in 1966 it was the world's first drive-through safari park outside Africa.

The show is always giving viewers fun facts about the animals it homes, and some viewers were surprised to learn that contrary to popular belief, reindeers actually don't like carrots - they prefer green veggies instead.

Is Longleat open to the public?

Longleat is open to the public, especially if you're looking for the best zoos for kids to visit. With a day ticket [from £36.95 adults (16+) / £27.50 children (3-15)] you can spend a full day enjoying all that Longleat has to offer by discovering animals from around the world including lions, tigers, wolves, koalas and porcupines as you travel on road, waterway and foot. Pre-booking tickets online in advance is essential. To ensure the best Safari experience, visitors are asked to select their preferred entry time. Choose from between 10am and 12pm, between 12pm and 2pm or between 2pm and 4pm. You may enter the Safari Drive-through at any time during your chosen slot and you may visit the Main Square attractions both before and after your Safari adventure (subject to Park opening hours); the choice is entirely yours.

Is Animal Park on Netflix?

Yes, there are currently two series of Animal Park available to stream on Netflix - season 13 and season 14. Filmed back in 2019, season 13 has 14 x 44 minute episodes, while season 14, filmed in 2020, has 15 episodes. Viewers can take part in the lives of the zookeepers at a historic safari park as they care for its animal inhabitants and brave the unusual challenges of the job.

Animal Park Christmas 2022 special episodes are available to watch on catchup via  the BBC iPlayer. 

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