Zoos & Wildlife · Kent
The Big Cat Sanctuary
📍 TN27 8PJ
Photo: Lee Elvin (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- Meet more than 30 cats across over 14 species
- Keeper-led big cat encounter with a hand feed
- Guided tour revealing conservation, rescue and breeding work
- Photography workshops to capture wildlife images
- Paul Hollywood afternoon tea within the sanctuary grounds
The Big Cat Sanctuary is a conservation centre in Smarden, near Ashford, dedicated to protecting and rescuing wild cats from around the world. You can meet more than 30 cats across over 14 species, join a keeper-led encounter with a hand feed, take a guided tour explaining the rescue and breeding programmes, or book a photography workshop and afternoon tea. It suits wildlife lovers and families wanting a hands-on conservation experience, with overnight lodge stays also available. The sanctuary isn't reachable by public transport, so a pre-booked taxi is recommended, though Headcorn station is just 1.5 miles away. With 31 bookable places to stay within 5 miles, it's easy to combine a visit with a longer break in the Kent countryside.
Practical details
- Open
- Open throughout the year for pre-booked experiences
- Booking
- All experiences are pre-booked, advance booking recommended
- Accessibility
- Not accessible by public transport; pre-booked taxis advised
- Best for
- The Retreat overnight stays are for guests aged 11+
From the attraction's own website on 30 Sep 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ Cafe
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Gift Shop
- ✓ Picnic Area
- ✓ Guided Tours
- ✓ Parking
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Create a free account to claimPlaces to stay near The Big Cat Sanctuary
Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
2 mi
2.3 mi
2.3 mi
2.7 mi
2.9 mi
3.2 mi
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🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to The Big Cat Sanctuary into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
🚆 Or come by train
- Headcorn 1.5 miles
- Pluckley 3.7 miles
- Staplehurst 4.9 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page