Paignton Zoo developed from the private menagerie of eccentric millionaire Herbert Whitley, to become one of the country’s top zoos today.
The zoo first opened to the public in 1923 – its remits of conservation, scientific research and education are rooted in these early years. Herbert strongly believed that the zoo should be a place of learning, not just recreation. On his death in 1955, a Trust was formed that became the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Paignton Zoo was in at the beginning of the modern zoo movement. Philip Michelmore – Whitley’s friend and successor – was instrumental in founding the Zoo Federation (now the British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums), the body that represents top zoos in this country. Similar organisations formed at European and global levels, and this helped pave the way for co-operation between zoos around the world.
In the 10 years after becoming an environmental park, Paignton Zoo was transformed, becoming a zoo for the 21st century. The Ape Centre, Education Centre, Avian Breeding Centre, Reptile Tropics, Animal Encounters Theatre, Veterinary Centre, Reptile Nursery and Monkey Heights were all opened and habitat themes were introduced across the zoo grounds.
In 2003, the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust took over Newquay Zoo and opened Living Coasts – Torquay’s coastal zoo. More recently Crocodile Swamp (2008) and Amphibian Ark (2010) were all opened. Encouragingly, visitor numbers hit a record high of nearly 530,000.
The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust became Wild Planet Trust in 2019. The new name was chosen to reflect the charity’s modern, inspiring and inclusive outlook.
Over the years the Zoo’s name has changed a number of times. Originally known as Torbay Zoological Gardens, it became Primley Zoological Gardens and then Devon’s Zoo and Circus (during World War II) and later Paignton Zoological and Botanical Gardens (it was the first combined botanical and zoological gardens in the world). It was named Paignton Zoo Environmental Park in 1996, marking the start of a £6m redevelopment programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund and by the sale of land.
Treasuring our past
Take a walk down memory lane with us as we look back at the history of Paignton Zoo. Join in our free Zoo Memories Trail and see how your favourite spots in the zoo have changed over the past 100 years.
Original guidebook
Take a peak into the past with our original 1930s guidebook.
Celebrating our community
In readiness for this celebration, we’ve been busy trawling through our archives and have uncovered many treasured moments of staff and visitors, but the thing that makes a zoo a zoo is the people that come and see us! With this in mind, we’ve set up a Facebook group for people to share their memories and photos that showcase our history. There are hundreds of posts on there already, but it’s not too late to join us!
Memories of Paignton Zoo
In this documentary to mark our 101st birthday, we dive deep into the archives and uncover rare footage and photos that trace the zoo’s evolution. We also hear first-hand accounts from former staff members as far back as the 1950s sharing their memories and experiences, revealing the passion and hard work that have fuelled the zoo’s mission for decades.
Read More
Our Story
Our Story part 1: One man’s private collection
Our Story part 2: The early years
Our Story part 3: The war years
Our Story part 4: A charitable Trust is born
Our Story part 5: Everything except the pigeons
Our Story part 6: ‘A sort of genius’
World War Zoo: From Chessington to Devon’s Zoo & Circus
In pictures: Capturing the evolution of Paignton Zoo’s entrance
Millionaires, Mysteries and Menageries: The Surprising History of Primley House
Your Zoo
Your zoo: One of the earliest living memories of Paignton Zoo
Your zoo: Memories from a keeper in the 1950s
Your zoo: Five decades of memories from a mother & daughter
Your zoo: 90s nostalgia from a Gibbon Club member
Your zoo: Tales from one of our longest-serving staff members
Superstars of the Century
The fascinating life of Paignton’s celebrity chimp
A century of superstars: Paignton Zoo’s top 10 iconic animals
Leading the way: Whitley’s animal champions
Oddities and rarities of Paignton Zoo: Past and present
Famous faces: Celebrity visits to Paignton Zoo over the years
Ken Smith: The Unsung Hero of Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo’s female trailblazers
From Conservation to Coronation: History of Royal Visits to Paignton Zoo
Saving the Blues: Zookeeper’s Mission in Grand Cayman
Schools go free 2023: Celebrating a century of conservation, education and inspiration
