Land of the Tiger

The Land of the Tiger sits just outside Doncaster and is exactly what it sounds like - a sprawling wildlife park where Bengal tigers roam in enclosures designed to let you actually see them properly, rather than having them lurk in the undergrowth like they might at bigger zoos. You'll walk through different zones, spot tigers at various times depending on how active they're feeling, and encounter other big cats and exotic animals dotted around the site.

It's a solid afternoon out if you've got kids who are into animals and haven't yet developed the "we're bored" reflex. The tiger enclosures are the main draw - they're genuinely impressive up close, and you do get decent viewing angles. Most visitors allow two to three hours, which is about right before everyone starts dragging their feet.

The park works well as a day trip while staying at one of the nearby caravan parks. Bawtry Caravan Park is barely twenty minutes away, as are Sunnyview Touring Park and Mooreacres - all solid bases if you're planning a few days exploring South Yorkshire. Doncaster itself has the railway heritage museum if tigers don't pack enough punch, and the surrounding area's fairly green for longer walks if you need to burn off cabin fever.

Go midweek if possible. Weekends get rammed. Check ahead for opening hours and admission prices, as these do shift seasonally. The tigers are most active in cooler months, which makes autumn and early spring the best time to visit.