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Knowsley Safari Park

Knowsley Safari Park is one of the top choices for a family day out in the north of England.

The 550-acre park on the Earl of Derby's estate has been one of the region's leading all-day attractions for more than 35 years, offering a unique five-mile safari drive along roads lined with exotic animals from all over the globe.

It is now the only safari park in the North West and one of only five in the UK and is currently riding high in popularity, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors a year.

There is, in fact, a long history of keeping animals on the Knowsley estate. In the 19th century Edward, the 13th Earl of Derby, kept one of the largest private menageries in the world with 90 species of mammals and 300 species of birds!

These days Knowsley's 500 mammals include rhinos, camels, buffalo, bison, wildebeest, lions, tigers, zebra, baboons, monkeys, deer, antelopes and wallabies.

Current top attractions at the park include the three white rhino calves who are now 2 years old - Binta, Kifaru and Tatu - plus the ever-popular mischievous young elephants, Ashanti and Nala.

Other recent animal arrivals include a pack of 12 very rare African Hunting Dogs and a pair of Red River Hogs.

However, for many visitors it is the baboons who remain the real stars of the show. The good news is that Knowsley now offers an alternative car-friendly route around the outside of the monkey jungle for those wishing to avoid any potential damage to their vehicle. Visitors taking this route still have an excellent view of the baboons.

Other must-see attractions at the park include a sealion show, more than 20 amusement park rides and a walkaround animal area where elephants, giraffe, meerkats and otter can be viewed at close quarters.

Meanwhile, Knowsley's Bug House offers everything from snakes to lizards and cockroaches, creatures a world away from the goats, lambs, cattle and horses for the youngsters to enjoy at Children¹s Lake Farm.

As well as the exotic animals at Knowsley the park offers a wide range of native British wildlife. 10 species of waterfowl nest around its lake, kestrels and buzzards can be spotted in the woodland and brown hares, stoats, weasels, grey squirrels and red squirrels can also be seen.

Knowsley Safari Park has an excellent location close to the national motorway network. Leave the M62 at junction six then leave the M57 at junction two and follow the brown Safari Park signs.