Manor Wildlife Park

Zoo or wildlife park

Explorer Tom

Manor Wildlife Park, near St Florence, offers a day of animal watching with the occasional surprise of finding yourself inside a walk-through habitat. The residents range from wallabies to red pandas, while tigers and rhinos command the sort of respectful attention that makes everybody stop talking at once. The park is on the B4318 between Sageston and Tenby. Its walk-through areas invite a closer look at some animals, but each habitat has its own rules and keepers, so follow the signs rather than assume every creature welcomes a new friend. The operator lists Sumatran tigers, southern white rhinos and red pandas among its collection. A red panda in the canopy may require patience; a rhino tends to make a somewhat less subtle entrance. The current visitor page says the park opens every day from ten until five, with a few Christmas and New Year closure dates. Tickets can be bought online or at the gate, and the operator warns that severe coastal weather can change the day's hours. Check its latest notice before setting out, especially in winter. The park says it has accessible routes, a cafe in the Manor House and picnic space; some special animal encounters cost extra and need advance booking. Allow time to slow down at the habitats rather than rushing from one headline animal to the next. Ask about any keeper talks when you arrive, keep food where it belongs, and let each animal decide whether today is a performance day. Manor is most fun when you watch what the residents actually do, even if that is spectacularly little for five minutes.