Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

What Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm does

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a privately-held zoological attraction and registered conservation charity (No. 1200719) located on a 100-acre site in Wraxall, North Somerset, approximately six miles from Bristol. Founded in 1999 by former dairy farmers Anthony and Christina Bush, the zoo originally opened as a farm-based animal attraction and has evolved into a modern conservation facility housing over 100 species, including African elephants (in Elephant Eden, the UK's largest purpose-built elephant habitat at 20 acres), lions, giraffes, rhinos, Spectacled bears, and recently Aqua, a rescued tiger from AAP Primadomus. The organization transitioned from a family-owned business to a registered conservation charity in April 2023, with operations run through a wholly-owned trading subsidiary, Noah's Ark Zoo Enterprises Ltd. Larry Bush, son of the founders, has served as Zoo Director since 2019 and CEO, with a board of six additional trustees bringing domain expertise in conservation, law, construction, and accessibility.

The business operates a diversified direct-to-consumer revenue model spanning day admission tickets (with online discounts via the Digitickets platform), annual memberships, premium animal experiences and keeper encounters, symbolic animal adoptions, accredited educational workshops and outreach programs (20,000+ school visits annually), on-site food and beverage (Food Barn, kiosks, ice cream parlour), retail and farm shop sales, and charitable donations supporting conservation projects. The zoo serves over 230,000 visitors annually and has welcomed more than 3 million total visitors since opening, with cumulative school engagement exceeding 200,000 children since 2012. Key strategic priorities include Project Carnivora (a multi-phased capital project creating world-class predator habitats with eco-friendly building methods), EAZA full membership pursuit, and an expanded conservation partnership network spanning 10+ international organizations.

Revenue is generated through multiple channels: online and walk-up ticket sales, annual membership subscriptions (12-month recurring), one-time premium experiences priced £12.50-£20, gift-style adoption packages at £69.99/year, education admissions at £8.95-£11 per student plus workshop fees of £25-£60, on-site F&B and retail, and corporate membership/event packages. The company holds BIAZA accreditation, Green Tourism Gold, Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge, and multiple regional tourism awards, and participates in European Endangered Species Programmes (EEPs) for African elephants, Spectacled bears, Siamang gibbons, and White-headed vultures, providing a strong accreditation and conservation moat.

Name

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

Legal name

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm (registered charity 1200719) and Noah's Ark Zoo Enterprises Ltd

Website

https://noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a UK conservation zoo and registered charity in Bristol operating a 100-acre site with 100+ species, serving 230,000+ annual visitors through tickets, memberships, animal experiences, school programs, and conservation donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Park and Zoo Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL), Conservation Parks & Private Nature Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAB), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Zoo and wildlife park
• Animal encounter experiences
• Conservation education programs
• School field trip workshops
• Family visitor attraction

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Day Admission Tickets: Standard entry tickets for zoo visitors with pricing based on age categories (Adult, Child, Concession, Essential Carer). Online booking available with £1.50 booking fee per transaction. Gate prices higher than online prices
2. Memberships: Annual membership passes offering unlimited entry during standard opening times, with various benefits and discounts. Strictly personal, non-transferable, valid for 12 months with 14-day cooling off period
3. Animal Experiences: Keeper experiences and animal encounters including Giant Tortoise (£12.50), Meerkats and Mongoose (£15), Skunks (£12.50), Red Ruffed Lemurs (£20), Group Bear Encounter (£15), and elephant experiences. Somerset Safari Lates special events with additional mini encounters
4. Animal Adoptions: 12-month adoption packages for various species including elephants at £69.99, including soft toy, free adult day ticket, photo, certificate, and name displayed at exhibit
5. Education Programs: School visits with workshop sessions priced at £35 (30min), £45 (45min), £60 (60min) classroom workshops, and £25 (30min) Walking Safari. Education admission £8.95 per child, £11 per student
6. Food and Beverage: On-site catering through Food Barn, Ice Cream Parlour, Bear Kiosk, Elephant Kiosk, and Rainbow Café. Nut-free environment with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
7. Retail and Farm Shop: Gift shop and separate Farm Shop selling conservation merchandise, Fairtrade products, and SBC's Feltis from Peru
8. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations supporting conservation projects including Rescue Tiger Appeal (£175,000 raised), Project Carnivora, and various global conservation partnerships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm operates a 100-acre wildlife attraction in North Somerset that sells day admission to its 100+ species collection, keeper-led animal encounters and adoptions, accredited school education workshops and outreach, on-site hospitality and farm shop retail, and seasonal after-hours events. It also runs an annual membership program and fundraising appeals that channel visitor and donor revenue into in-park conservation and breeding programs (e.g. Elephant Eden, Project Carnivora). It is a registered conservation charity (No. 1200719) trading via Noah's Ark Zoo Enterprises Ltd.

Product overview

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a conservation zoo and registered charity (No. 1200719) offering a unified visitor experience centered on animal conservation and education. The core product is day admission tickets with optional add-ons including annual memberships, animal experiences (encounters and keeper sessions), and animal adoptions. Educational services include accredited school workshops, outreach programs, and home educator sessions. Hospitality offerings include the Food Barn cafe, ice cream parlour, and multiple food kiosks. Seasonal events include Somerset Safari Lates (evening experiences) and the Home of The Giants event. The zoo features over 100 species including African elephants (in the UK's largest elephant habitat), lions, tigers, and spectacled bears, with conservation programs supporting both global and local wildlife projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Day Admission Tickets Tiered, dated entry tickets for individuals and families to access the 100-acre park and 100+ species collection, with online booking discounts versus walk-up gate prices and online booking fee.
• Annual Memberships 12-month subscription passes granting unlimited entry to the park during standard opening hours plus member discounts on events, food, retail and experiences; a separate premium corporate version allows transfer between employees.
• Animal Experiences (Keeper-led Encounters) Bookable keeper-led close encounters with species including giant tortoises, meerkats, mongoose, skunks, red ruffed lemurs, bears and elephants, sold as paid mini or full experiences to individual visitors.
• Animal Adoption Packages 12-month symbolic adoption packages for species such as African elephants (from £69.99) bundled with a soft toy, free adult day ticket, photo, personalised certificate and name displayed at the exhibit, sold as gift or supporter products.
• School Education Workshops Learning Outside the Classroom-accredited, curriculum-aligned workshop sessions for nurseries, primary, secondary and higher-education groups at tiered durations (30/45/60 minute classroom workshops and 30 minute Walking Safari).
• Home Educator Sessions Discounted 'Home School to Zoo School' events for home-educating families combining interactive workshops and activities at £9.85 per person.
• Outreach Programs Education-team-led visits bringing smaller animals and artefacts to schools and venues, delivered Monday to Friday for sessions up to 2 hours, priced by distance and duration.
• Corporate Membership and Event Packages Premium corporate memberships transferable between employees with fair-use policy, plus corporate event hosting packages for business days out and team visits.
• Somerset Safari Lates Ticketed after-hours evening event featuring exclusive animal talks, feeds, close-up mini encounters and food, sold to members and non-members during July/August.
• Home of The Giants Seasonal Event Seasonal on-site event experience with face-to-face encounters with large animals, discovery activities and a 'Home of the Giants Challenge' that rewards completion with a half-price child return ticket valid before end of 2026.
• Food Barn & On-site Catering On-site hospitality outlets — Food Barn main cafe plus Ice Cream Parlour, Bear Kiosk, Elephant Kiosk and Rainbow Café — selling hot/cold food, drinks, ice cream and children's meals with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
• Farm Shop and Gift Shop Retail Separate Farm Shop and Gift Shop retail offering local produce, Fairtrade products, conservation merchandise and SBC's Feltis from Peru, with proceeds supporting conservation partners.
• Charitable Donations and Fundraising Appeals Charitable donations and fundraising appeals (e.g. Rescue Tiger Appeal, Project Carnivora) supporting global conservation partnerships, processed via JustGiving and on-site donation channels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 230,000 visitors annually and over 3 million total visitors since opening
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Elephants for AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Conservation charity protecting African elephants through research, education and community collaboration in Botswana. Partnership began in 2025 with fundraising through conservation education in workshops, keeper talks, World Elephant Day activities, and elephant experiences.
• Spectacled Bear ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership began in 2022 when two cubs were born at the zoo. Supports scientific research, habitat protection, education in Peru. Noah's Ark has helped raise awareness, fund GPS tracking collars for wild bears, and sells SBC's Feltis in the Gift Shop to support conservation and empower local Indigenous communities.
• Safina Lion Conservation Fund (SLCF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Registered charity dedicated to raising awareness and funds for wild lion conservation in East Africa. Partnership since 2017 includes fundraising events, awareness campaigns, educational activities. Funds have supported Better Bomas project and tracking collar refurbishment for KopeLion in Tanzania.
• Ripple Effect (formerly Send a Cow)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounders of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm were also founding farmers of Ripple Effect. Partnership includes raising awareness through educational signage, interpretation, and conservation messaging across the zoo.
• World Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity protecting threatened habitats and species. Noah's Ark supports World Land Trust's Action Fund and uses Carbon Balanced Paper for maps and leaflets, balancing carbon impact through forest protection projects.
• Helping RhinosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation charity working to protect rhinos and their habitats through visitor awareness, education and fundraising, supporting anti-poaching efforts and habitat protection.
• Elephant-Human Relations Aid NamibiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organisation in Namibia helping desert elephants and local communities coexist safely. Supported through education, fundraising including funds raised in 2025.
• Horstmann TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity dedicated to protecting endangered species and supporting conservation projects worldwide through awareness, education and fundraising.
• AEECLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organisation protecting lemurs and their habitats in Madagascar through education, fundraising, habitat restoration and community work.
• WildCats Conservation AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation initiative protecting wild tigers and Amur leopards through education and fundraising, supporting projects that protect threatened big cats, reduce conflict, and tackle poaching.
• Amphibian and Reptile Conservation TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK charity dedicated to protecting reptiles, amphibians and their habitats. Noah's Ark contributes by carrying out research in conservation pond, monitoring newts and contributing to conservation data.
• Bat Conservation Research LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud participant in North Somerset Bat Survey. In 2025, team carried out surveys across six nights and recorded seven different species of bats on site.
• BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational award-winning animal park is a member of leading association for best zoos in Britain and Ireland. Zoo is working towards full EAZA membership and participates in European Endangered Species Programmes (EEPs) for African elephants, Spectacled bears, Siamang gibbons, and White-headed vultures.
• AAP PrimadomuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally respected animal rescue charity based in Netherlands and Spain. Rescued tigers from illegal trafficking at Poland-Belarus border in 2019. Provided rehabilitation for 5 tigers including Aqua who now resides at Noah's Ark.
• Moat House FarmminorOthersLocal farm in Wraxall supplying pork, beef and lamb for catering operation and Farm Shop, supporting local supply chains.
• Green Acre EggsminorOthersLocal supplier in Chew Valley providing eggs for catering operation.
• Winnie's BakeryminorOthersLocal business supplying bread with commitment to traditional baking and quality.
• Clifton CoffeeminorOthersIndependent Bristol-based coffee roaster with strong reputation for quality, traceability and responsible sourcing. Works directly with producers focusing on long-term relationships and sustainable practices.
• Bennetts Ice CreamminorOthersLong-established family-run British business producing award-winning farmhouse ice cream using fresh milk from their own dairy herd.
• Blas y TirminorOthersWelsh dairy supplier providing milk for coffees, supporting Welsh dairy production.
• EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNoah's Ark is working towards becoming full members of EAZA. Currently participates as official non-EAZA EEP participants in European Endangered Species Programmes.
• Weston CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork exclusively with Weston College for work experience opportunities for animal management students. Only Ofsted 'outstanding' college in the region.
• Bristol Mobility CentreminorOthersPartnership providing limited number of wheelchairs available to reserve for free for visitors with accessibility needs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS): Royal Zoological Society of Scotland operates Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park as major UK conservation and education charities. Comparable business model (charity-operated zoo, EAZA member, school programs, memberships) but larger and based in Scotland.
• Chester Zoo: Chester Zoo is the UK's largest and most-visited zoo, operated as a conservation charity with extensive species collection, conservation science, and educational outreach. Comparable as a UK conservation-zoo peer but materially larger and more established than Noah's Ark.
• ZSL Whipsnade Zoo: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is the UK's largest zoo (operated by the Zoological Society of London), a major conservation charity with extensive species and conservation science programs. Comparable as a large UK zoo/charity peer but at substantially greater scale than Noah's Ark.

Direct peers

• Twycross Zoo: Twycross Zoo is a BIAZA-accredited zoo in the Midlands, UK, specialising in primates and big cats with conservation and education programs. Directly comparable to Noah's Ark as a mid-sized UK zoo with EAZA involvement, school workshops, memberships, and animal encounters.
• Marwell Zoo: Marwell Zoo is a charity-run, BIAZA/EAZA-accredited zoo in Hampshire with a focus on conservation, education, and a wide species collection including big cats and giraffes. Comparable to Noah's Ark as a similarly-sized UK conservation zoo with school programs, memberships, and project-based fundraising.
• Wild Place Project (Bristol Zoological Society): Wild Place Project is the outdoor sister site of Bristol Zoo, operated by Bristol Zoological Society, located in South West England near Bristol. Direct regional competitor offering big cats, giraffes, lemurs, and similar education/conservation programming with overlapping customer base.
• West Midland Safari Park: West Midland Safari Park is a UK wildlife attraction combining drive-through safari, walk-through animal exhibits, and theme-park rides. Closely comparable to Noah's Ark in offering big cats, elephants (historically), animal experiences, memberships, and school education programs.
• Flamingo Land Resort: Flamingo Land is a UK zoo and theme park in Yorkshire combining a BIAZA-accredited zoo with rides and family attractions. Comparable as a ticketed family wildlife attraction offering big cats, animal experiences, and seasonal events in a similar mid-market positioning.
• Longleat Safari & Adventure Park: Longleat is a major UK wildlife and family attraction operating a safari park and adventure facilities in Wiltshire, South West England. Directly comparable to Noah's Ark as a ticketed wildlife/family attraction in the same regional catchment, with overlapping species (lions, big cats) and a similar school-trip and membership model.

Emerging players

• Shepreth Wildlife Park: Shepreth Wildlife Park is a smaller BIAZA-accredited zoo near Cambridge offering animal encounters, school programs, and conservation work. Comparable as a UK conservation zoo with overlapping species focus and education programming, though at smaller scale than Noah's Ark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/noahsarkzoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/noahsarkzoobristol
• TikToktiktok.com/@noahsarkzoobristol
• Xx.com/Noahs_Ark_Zoo

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm