Crocodiles of the World: UK’s Only Crocodile Zoo

There’s something unexpected about finding crocodiles in the English countryside, yet tucked away in the Oxfordshire village of Brize Norton, Crocodiles of the World has been quietly doing exactly that since 2011 — housing over 130 crocodilians from 18 species across the globe. Whether you’re a herpetology enthusiast or simply looking for a unique family day out, this guide covers what to expect, who runs it, and how the zoo fits into the bigger picture of crocodile conservation.

Location: Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, UK · Founding Year: 2011 · Number of Crocodilians: Over 130 · Species Represented: 18 of 23 extant crocodilian species · Claim to Fame: UK’s only crocodile zoo

Here’s a concise overview of the zoo’s key facts.

How long does it take to walk around the Crocodiles of the World?

Typical visit duration

Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2 hours walking the entire zoo, according to guidance from the Crocodiles of the World official website (zoo’s own site). The site is compact but carefully laid out, with indoor and outdoor enclosures housing crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and a few non-reptile species like meerkats and binturongs.

What to see along the walkthrough

• Underwater viewing areas allow you to watch crocodiles swim just inches away (Crocodiles of the World official website)
• Daily feeding talks are scheduled at 11:15 (Meerkat), 12:00 (Nile Croc), 12:40 (Binturong), and 15:00 (Croc) (Crocodiles of the World official website)
• The zoo also features a small gift shop and a cafe — you’ll find details in the cafe section below

The implication: allocate at least two hours if you want to catch a feeding talk and linger at the underwater windows — the real magic happens when the crocs move.

Who is the owner of Crocodiles of the World?

Founding and ownership

Crocodiles of the World was founded in 2011 by Shaun Foggett, a crocodile conservationist who wanted to create the UK’s only dedicated crocodilian zoo (Bolt Hole Retreats travel guide). Foggett remains the owner and oversees daily operations.

Conservation mission

The zoo states it is “dedicated to the conservation of crocodilians and to sharing that passion with visitors” (Crocodiles of the World official website). It works with breeding programmes, particularly for the vulnerable Siamese crocodile, and offers educational visits for schools.

The catch: with only a handful of staff and a small footprint, the zoo’s conservation impact is modest compared to global-scale sanctuaries, but for the UK it fills a unique niche.

What countries in the world have crocodiles?

Global distribution of crocodilians

Crocodiles, alligators, and caimans inhabit tropical regions across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia (Wikipedia (general reference)). Of the 23 living crocodilian species, the majority are found in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, and swamps.

Countries with no native crocodiles

Europe has no wild crocodilian populations — the continent’s cool climate and lack of suitable wetland habitats make it inhospitable for these cold-blooded reptiles. That’s what makes Crocodiles of the World so unusual: it’s the only place in the UK where you can see alligators and crocodiles up close, outside of a few larger zoos that keep a single species.

As the zoo’s education page (UK’s only crocodile zoo) notes, it houses “the largest crocodile and alligator collection in the UK.”

The pattern: Europe’s absence of wild crocodilians makes dedicated collections like this one essential for public education and conservation outreach.

Do Crocodiles of the World have a cafe?

On-site dining options

Yes, the zoo has a cafe serving hot and cold snacks, drinks, and light meals (Crocodiles of the World official website). It is open during zoo hours and offers indoor and outdoor seating.

What’s on the menu

Typical offerings include sandwiches, jacket potatoes, children’s lunchboxes, cakes, and soft drinks.

Why this matters: having a cafe on site removes the need to leave the zoo mid-visit, which is helpful given the remote location — the nearest town, Burford, is about 3.4 miles away.

Which animals do crocodiles fear?

Natural predators of crocodiles

Large cats such as jaguars and lions occasionally prey on crocodiles, particularly smaller individuals or when they venture onto land (Wikipedia (crocodilian ecology)). Anacondas have been known to attack young caimans in South America, and certain birds, like the shoebill, prey on hatchlings.

Human and environmental threats

Humans are by far the greatest threat to all crocodilian species through habitat destruction, hunting, and pollution. According to Crocodiles of the World education page (conservation education), many species are listed as vulnerable or endangered, which is why captive breeding programmes are vital.

The trade-off: while a full-grown saltwater crocodile has no natural predator, its eggs and young face constant risk — and the species itself faces existential pressure from human activity.

Alligators vs Crocodiles: key differences

One common question from visitors is how to tell these two similar reptiles apart, especially since Crocodiles of the World houses both. Here’s a quick comparison:

The pattern: alligators are generally less aggressive than crocodiles, but both demand respect — and the zoo’s safety protocols ensure visitors never test that difference firsthand.

Timeline: Crocodiles of the World’s journey

• 2011: Crocodiles of the World opened to the public in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (Bolt Hole Retreats travel guide)
• 2015: Expansion of exhibits to include more species and underwater viewing areas (Crocodiles of the World official website)
• 2020: Website relaunch with online ticket booking and improved visitor information (Crocodiles of the World official website)

The implication: the zoo has grown steadily, investing in infrastructure to improve the visitor experience while maintaining its conservation focus — a rare combination for a specialist collection.

What’s certain and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Crocodiles of the World is the UK’s only crocodile zoo (Crocodiles of the World official website)
• The zoo was founded by Shaun Foggett (Bolt Hole Retreats travel guide)
• It houses over 130 crocodiles, alligators, and caimans from 18 species (TripAdvisor listing)
• The zoo is located in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (UK School Trips directory)

What’s unclear

• Exact number of annual visitors is not publicly confirmed
• Species count varies: BIAZA says 14, TripAdvisor says 18, others claim 19 (BIAZA (UK zoo association))
• Total animal numbers differ: BIAZA cites “more than 100”, TripAdvisor “over 130”, Bolt Hole Retreats “more than 150”
• Details about specific conservation projects are not fully detailed on the zoo’s website

The implication: while core facts are solid, potential visitors should treat secondary figures as directional rather than definitive — the zoo itself avoids precise counts online.

Perspectives from the zoo and visitors

“We are dedicated to the conservation of crocodilians and to sharing that passion with visitors.”

— Crocodiles of the World official website (zoo’s mission statement)

“A unique and educational day out – the kids loved seeing the crocodiles up close and the feeding talks are brilliant.”

— TripAdvisor reviewer (paraphrased from visitor feedback)

“The education page says the zoo is the UK’s only croc zoo and claims the largest crocodile and alligator collection in the UK.”

— Crocodiles of the World education page (conservation education)

“The BIAZA members listing confirms more than 100 animals from 14 different species of crocodilian.”

— BIAZA (UK zoo association) (member listing)

For families planning a day out in Oxfordshire, the choice is straightforward: Crocodiles of the World offers a genuinely unique encounter that supports conservation. For the sceptic, the question is whether one zoo can truly make a difference for 23 species across the globe — but given that it’s the UK’s only dedicated crocodilian collection, it’s a rare and worthwhile ark.