West Midlands Safari Park Go on safari without leaving the country as you drive through 100 acres that are home to a host of dramatic wildlife, from giraffes and zebras to lions and tigers. The newly opened Walking with Lemurs is the largest lemur walk-through in the country, and 26 rides and attractions will provide more fun and excitement. A free return ticket is included in the entry price.

Throughout August the park will once again be open late every evening when visitors can go on a four-mile evening safari.

For details, visit: wmsp.co.uk.

Shortwood Family Farm An authentic farm experience with all the sounds, sights and smells of a real farm. Join a guided feeding tour, play with the baby animals, meet all sorts of unusual breeds against the background of a traditional working farm.

Shortwood Family Farm is at Shortwood near Pencombe, Bromyard. Call 01885 400205 or visit shortwoodfarm.co.uk.

Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo is indoors, it’s tropical and it’s teeming with exotic butterflies all flying around your head and alighting on your hands if you’re lucky as you discover their fascinating lives in close-up. And there’s plenty more to fill your day at Symond’s Yat, with the aMazing Hedge Puzzle and Maze Museum offering fun and excitement and 12 holes of mini golf to round off an action-packed day.

Details: mazes.co.uk or call 01600 890360.

Bristol Zoo Bristol Zoo is officially 175 this year, and to celebrate this great history, the zoo is putting on a host of unique and exciting events, including Wow! Gorillas Wow! a world class mass public art event in the streets and parks of Bristol this summer.

And, of course, there’s an amazing world of animals within the award-winning 12 acre gardens. With over 400 species and nine animals houses under cover, it’s a perfect outing come rain or shine.

Details: bristolzoo.org.uk.

National Sealife Centre, Birmingham. You won’t need a snorkel to see a wealth of marine life at the Sealife Centre, where a series of spectacular displays from touch pools to walk-through underwater tunnels offer close encounters with everything from shrimps to sharks.

Call 0121 643 6777 for ticket information or go to sealifeeurope.com.

International Centre for Birds of Prey An opportunity to see and learn about birds you wouldn’t normally see, including daily flying sessions when these magnificent birds take to the skies to do what they do best.

Details: icbp.org, 01531 820286.

The Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre, Kington All the British owls can be seen at this unique farm park, as well as a wide selection of other animals. Call 01544 231109 or go to owlcentre.com.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre Home to the largest collection of swans, ducks, flamingo and geese anywhere in the world, many of them rare or endangered species. From July 22 to September 1, you can become a nature detective and solve the wetland mystery using your CSI skills around the grounds.nvestigate what lives in the dipping ponds; build a den opposite Wellyboot Land, handle an amphibian at Toad Hall, watch the otters being fed, make a Slimbridge scrapbook. These activities are free with admission.

Details: wwt.org.uk or call 01453 891900.

Cotswold Farm Park Rare breed conservation centre with a collection of more than 50 breeding flocks and herds of British rare breed farm animals. The day’s events include bottle feeding, milking and sheep-shearing demonstrations and tractor school.

For more details, visit cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk.