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Five Sisters Zoo

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Five Sisters Zoo

West Calder, West Lothian (EH55 8PT) • Lothian

star4.8(6,120)
Lothian
🐻 Rescued Ex-Circus Bears 🦁 Rescued Lions Sanctuary 🐒 Extensive Lemur Enclosures ❤️ Heavy Focus on Animal Welfare
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scheduleDaily: 10:00 – 18:00 (Closes earlier in winter months. Last entry 1.5 hours before closing)

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SAVE 50% bolt DayOutWithTheKids

Save Up to 50% with the DOWTK VIP Pass

Join the Day Out With The Kids VIP Pass to unlock exclusive family discounts on entry to Five Sisters Zoo and hundreds of other Scottish attractions.

Standard £64.95
£32.50/ person
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Getting Here

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Location Address

West Calder, West Lothian (EH55 8PT)

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Public Bus Services

Local bus lines operate frequent daily services directly to stops adjacent to the attraction entrance.

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Regional Transit Links

Connections
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Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Central

ScotRail

35 min (plus walk/taxi)
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Livingston Centre

Lothian Country Buses (Route 26 or 34A)

15 min

About Five Sisters Zoo

Five Sisters Zoo has one of the most heartwarming histories in the UK. Originally a small garden center, it has grown into a massive sanctuary for rescued animals. The zoo famously fundraised to rescue abused ex-circus bears and lions from across Europe, providing them with spectacular, multi-acre woodland enclosures. Alongside the big cats and bears, families can explore walk-through lemur enclosures, see snow leopards, and let the kids loose in the massive indoor soft play area.

Quick Facts

  • 🐻Rescued Ex-Circus Bears
  • 🦁Rescued Lions Sanctuary
  • 🐒Extensive Lemur Enclosures
  • ❤️Heavy Focus on Animal Welfare
  • scheduleDaily: 10:00 – 18:00 (Closes earlier in winter months. Last entry 1.5 hours before closing)
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Insider Tips

  • check_circleThe Train Station Walk Warning: If taking the train to West Calder, be aware that the 20-minute walk to the zoo involves a stretch of country road with absolutely no pavement. It is not safe for buggies. Call a local taxi from the station.
  • check_circleLook out for the Winter Illuminations: If you visit between November and December, the zoo transforms into a spectacular, award-winning light trail at night. Book these tickets months in advance.
  • check_circleBring coins for the rides: While the animal enclosures and soft play are included, the outdoor fairground rides (like the spinning teacups and train) require physical tokens purchased on-site.
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What to Expect

1. The Bear Woods

Walk along the elevated wooden boardwalks over a massive, two-acre woodland enclosure to spot the famous European Brown Bears, rescued from a traveling circus in Belgium.

2. The Lion Sanctuary

Stand face-to-face with majestic lions through massive glass viewing panels. These lions were rescued from horrible conditions and now live in a custom-built, natural habitat.

3. The Walk-Through Lemur Enclosure

Step directly into the lemur habitat. There are no barriers here—the ring-tailed lemurs will actively run across the path right in front of you.

4. The Lost Kingdom Reptile House & Soft Play

Head indoors to escape the Scottish weather. Explore the tropical reptile house before letting the kids burn off energy in the massive, multi-level soft play area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogs allowed in Five Sisters Zoo? expand_more

No. Because the zoo houses rescued carnivores and features open walk-through enclosures (like the lemur habitat), pet dogs are strictly prohibited for the safety and welfare of the animals.

Is Five Sisters Zoo indoors or outdoors? expand_more

The zoo is primarily an outdoor walking attraction, so you must dress for the Scottish weather. However, it does feature several indoor areas, including the reptile house, a large café, and a massive indoor soft play center.

How is Five Sisters Zoo different from Edinburgh Zoo? expand_more

Edinburgh Zoo is a massive, commercial, hilly zoo focusing on exotic species globally. Five Sisters Zoo is a much flatter, more intimate, family-run sanctuary with a primary focus on rescuing and rehabilitating abused animals like ex-circus bears and lions.

Explore the Area

Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Set around historic watermills alongside the River Almond, this massive site is the ultimate family day out in West Lothian. It brilliantly combines a hands-on petting farm with massive indoor and outdoor play spaces, making it completely weather-proof. Kids can ride the narrow-gauge railway, bounce on giant jumping pillows, and explore the multi-level soft play, while adults will appreciate the excellent on-site museum detailing Scotland's unique shale oil history.

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace

Set strikingly beside a serene loch, Linlithgow Palace was the grand pleasure palace of the Stuart Kings. Despite being burned down in 1746, the massive, imposing red sandstone ruins remain breathtaking. Visitors can explore the vast Great Hall, marvel at the beautifully ornate King's Fountain (the oldest surviving in Britain), and walk the exact corridors famously used as Wentworth Prison in the hit TV series Outlander.

Hopetoun House & Estate

Hopetoun House & Estate

Set in a sprawling 6,500-acre estate on the shores of the Firth of Forth, Hopetoun House is a masterpiece of 18th-century architecture. Serving as the magnificent seat of the Marquess of Linlithgow, the house features opulent state apartments, grand staircases, and vast manicured grounds. To modern audiences, it is globally famous as a major filming location for the TV series Outlander, serving as the Duke of Sandringham's home and the Ellesmere estate.

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Local Car Rentals

Explore the beauty of Lothian at your own pace. Hire a car from trusted agencies nearby.

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VW Polo or similar (Economy)

Manual • 5 seats • Hertz

£35/day
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Nissan Qashqai or similar (SUV)

Automatic • 5 seats • Enterprise

£68/day
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