Port Lympne Outdoors
The Parks were started by John Aspinall more than 40 years ago to conserve and breed rare and endangered wild animals with the intention of returning them to safe areas in their natural habitat.
The animals are looked after in our two parks that cover over 450 acres of the Kent countryside.
Close contact between animals and keepers has resulted in a higher than usual success rate for breeding, including clouded leopards, lions, monkeys, rare small cats, and the world's largest captive breeding groups of gorillas, African elephants, tigers and black rhino.
So far the Parks have returned to the wild Przewalski's horses, black rhino, Sumatran rhino, Cape buffalo, ocelots, pythons and nine gorillas.
The BBC described the Parks as "Two of the best wild animal parks in the world". Kurt Benirschke, President of the highly prestigious Zoological Society of San Diego said: "When I am asked about the best "Zoo" in the world my answer is: If I were an animal the ONLY place where I would like to live is at Aspinalls' Parks. And I really mean it".
Howletts and Port Lympne run as a loss-making charity and depend almost entirely on visitors and generous friends for the funds needed to look after these animals.
We are open every day of the year except Christmas Day from 10.00am.
Howletts is at Bekesbourne, just south of Canterbury off the A2.
Port Lympne is off the A20, signposted just off junction 11 of the M20 near Hythe.
Attraction Details
For enquiries about Port Lympne, please contact the attraction using the details below.
AddressPort Lympne, Bekesbourne, Nr Hythe, Hythe, Kent, CT21 4PD
Opening times
Entry costs
Attraction typeOutdoors
Hotels near Port Lympne
Staying overnight in Hythe?
Wondering where to stay that's close to Port Lympne? We've teamed up with Booking.com to provide the best room rates for hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs near Hythe in Hythe.
Port Lympne Mansion Hotel
Set within 15 acres of landscaped gardens in the beautiful Port Lympne Wild Animal Reserve, the Port Lympne Mansion Hotel features stunning views across the Romney Marsh, over the Kent Coast, and towards the English Channel..
Lympne Castle Cottages
Set in the beautiful Kent countryside, Lympne Castle offers charming cottages and rooms, close to Folkestone. There is good access to the M20 motorway..
Corner House Lympne
Corner House is a bed and breakfast located in Lympne Hythe. The property is full of character and dates back to 1889. It has been sympathetically refurbished retaining many of its original features.
Treacle Cottage At Treacle
Treacle Cottage At Treacle Den is a holiday home located in Hythe in the Kent Region and is 24 km from Canterbury. The property boasts views of the city and is 39 km from Hastings. Free private parking is available on site.
Great Lathe Cottage
Set in Burmarsh in the Kent Region, this holiday home is 26 km from Canterbury. The property is 37 km from Hastings and free private parking is provided. Other facilities at Great Lathe Cottage include a hot tub and barbecue.
Owl Barn
Located 26 km from Canterbury and 38 km from Hastings, Owl Barn offers pet-friendly accommodation in Hythe. The unit is 22 km from Dover. Maidstone is 42 km from Owl Barn, while Rye is 23 km away.
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