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The Big Cat Sanctuary

  1. Ashford
  2. Ashford Zoo

Reviews, get directions and contact details for The Big Cat Sanctuary

The Big Cat Sanctuary
"The Big Cat Sanctuary is a registered animal charity whose aim is to contribute to global conservationWe endeavour to provide peace and tranquillity, combined with habitats tailored to house different species of cats providing the best possible lives in captivity. Breeding is by recommendation and part of the accredited co-ordinated breeding programmes helping to maintain genetic diversity of the captive populations of these endangered and iconic cats."
Address: Headcorn Rd, Smarden, Ashford TN27 8PJ, UK
Phone: 01233 439150
State: Kent
City: Ashford
Zip Code: TN27 8PJ

opening times

Monday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

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Reviews
The most unforgettable day. It is well worth the money you pay & is a once in a lifetime experience. We booked a tour & feeding for 2 people which was very personal and informative. Simon, our guide, spent the time answering all our questions and it did not feel in the slightest rushed. The cats are truly magnificent and we would love to come back if we get the opportunity.
Unforgettable experience! I don’t think you can ever get closer to these beautiful cats and I still can’t believe this is in the UK. We booked the overnight stay experience and it was worth every penny! Feeding the cats was something else and if you’re an animal lover or considering purchasing an experience as a gift you cannot go wrong. The work the team are doing here is pretty extraordinary and love the ethos. Not only are the cat encounters unforgettable, the staff were amazing and knowledgeable. The size of the group was intimate enough that you felt you got the most out of the stay. The accommodation really sets the scene, giving you a safari like feel and food was pretty decent too. If you’re thinking about booking, don’t! Just book!
We stayed here for an overnight lodge stay for my 50th birthday. Having read the reviews I was really looking forward to it and it lived up to all of the reviews and more. We had a lovely welcome from Jackie who showed us to our lodge and where we would be going for meals. We then went on for afternoon tea which was fantastic with complimentary drinks. We then spent an hour and a half with the extremely lovely and knowledgable Nathan, who was obviously extremely passionate about the cats we were meeting. A lovely surprise cocktail after the tour and some time to unwind before dinner which again was perfect. The lodge was extremely comfortable and amazing falling asleep to the roar of the cats. We had a fantastic full English breakfast followed by meeting the rest of the cats and the amazing experience of hand feeding the cats. I would definitely recommend a visit, even with all 9 lodges full it felt as though we had the park to ourselves, and the animals all seemed so content and well cared for. Every member of staff we met was lovely, friendly and helpful. Thank you for a wonderful memory.
We visited today. Paid for two feeding experiences. What an experience it was. These cats are so well cared for and respected. So lovely to see them being loved so much. Our guide Lizzie was absolutely incredible, so knowledgeable and interesting. Our tour lasted over two hours and obviously feeding the cats was a highlight of the day
The absolute best overnight stay! My partner booked this for my birthday and we had the best time! The staff were all lovely, the lodge was super cute we stayed in lion lodge. We were served afternoon tea which consisted of sandwiches, sausage roll, honey cake, macarons and a huge scone with cream and strawberry jam, as well as tea or coffee, olives and bread and olive oil. The afternoon tea overlooks the Asianic lion enclosure but they didn’t make an appearance for this. After tea, we went on the first tour with Izzy who was incredible, knowledgeable and funny. She made the tours so much fun! We saw the Big Cat Sanctuary’s resident “Disney lion”, Kasanga chowing down on a hefty horse leg and then we got to meet some of the smaller cats; mother and daughter Servals, Griffin the shy Caracal, we got a glimpse at the snow leopards and their cubs as well. Then we saw my absolute favourite Qara, the Pallas’ cat. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the elusive Jethro, one of the volunteers said they work most Sundays since last summer and had never laid eyes on him but Qara’s personality more than made up for it! We also got to see Kuda, the tiny rusty spotted cat, and watched the photographer take some great pics of him. We saw the educational room and the food preparation area, learning more about how much the cats eat, what food sources, and the poaching trade. We also learned about the sanctuary’s plans to expand “small cat world” in the next 5-10 years. We then got to tong feed Puna, a gorgeous, retired tiger who was very sweet and food motivated. After the first tour, we went to our lodges to change for dinner. The first drink was free, we both had Kuda’s punch which was delicious and we’re treated to a three course meal. Dinner service was a little slow but the food was all delicious and we had the Asianic lions to keep us company, including some play fighting, a sad romantic rejection and spraying on one of the windows which was hilarious. The male lions roar late into the night, setting each other off and it is really a tremendous sound to witness as they compete. The next day we were served breakfast and then off on the second tour to see the rest of the cats and we all did a hand feed with a chicken drumstick. You have the choice of Luca the orange tiger, one of the male lions although don’t hold your breath for Kasanga, he wasn’t interested in chicken, the white lionesses, the infamous black jaguar Maya, Willow the world’s purriest cheetah, or brothers Mo and Bolt also both cheetahs, the Amur leopards, Kiera the golden jaguar, or Cal the white tiger. My partner fed Kiera who was so excited she was dancing and climbing the mesh, and I fed a white lioness. We also saw the three resident pumas and learned a lot about all the cat species and the pet trade. If you’re thinking about booking, just do it, it was honestly one of the best weekends we’ve had and the animals are so well cared for and it’s so nice how few people are allowed to visit at a time/how small the keep the tour groups. Once again, massive thank you to Izzy, who is incredible.
Absolutely fantastic definitely go book the 1 2 1 photo experience with alma a lovely lady with such a vast range of camera knowledge.and her relationship with the cats brings out the best shots.im still processing my shots but hers some of the puma and two very close ups of the cheetah who did not want to move from the fence.first time I've taken a portrait of a cheetah with a 20mm lens.....
I treated my Sister for Her birthday We was welcomed by friendly staff. Emily, the keeper who took us on the tour. Was very knowledgeable about all the big Cats and answered all question with ease We will definitely visit again in the futureVisited onWeekdayWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedYes
Absolutely brilliant. Conservation and care is the number 1 priority here and it's so obvious from how well they treat the animals, want to educate others and love their jobs. The keepers are brilliant and the animals look so happy and relaxed with lots of enrichment.Visited onWeekendWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedYes
We visited today for their open day! It was a wonderful day from start to finish. There was lots of things going on, food and drink stalls, market stalls selling animal related items, local honey etc. There was a bird of prey display, dog displays, music, lots of educational talks. Members of staff were stood at all the enclosures speaking to the public and answering any questions that they had. It was a brilliant day. I would definitely recommend visiting on an open day! Or even for one of their experiences. The sanctuary isn't massive and there's not a lot of walking to do like at other 'zoos' so it's suitable for all ages. The bonus was that they recently announced the birth of 2 snow leopard cubs! There was a CCTV screen set up so you could see them. All the staff and volunteers were really friendly and helpful. The facilities were all clean and tidy. The items in the gift shop were really well priced too.
Attended on the weekend for an afternoon tea experience for two at the big cat sanctuary well worth the visit. Fantastic animals and memories and photos to treasure for a lifetime. Such a special place to visit. All the staff at the sanctuary are amazing and friendly. Definitely recommend paying for an experience day. The afternoon tea was very tasty with a great range of items on the set up. They even offer a takeaway box if you do not manage to eat it all but don't want it going to waste. The Big Cat Sanctuary is an incredible place to visit.
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