A Guide To Visiting Secret Valley Wildlife Park In Wexford

If you’re looking for things to do in Wexford with kids, Secret Valley Wildlife is well worth checking out.

This is an educational experience that has something to entertain and enlighten young and old alike.

Below, you’ll find info on everything from prices and what to expect from a visit to places to visit nearby.

Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Secret Valley Wildlife Park

Although a visit to Secret Valley Wildlife Park is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Secret Valley Wildlife Park is located in Clonroche. It’s a 15-minute drive from both Enniscorthy and New Ross, a 30-minute drive from Wexford Town and a 40-minute drive from Rosslare.

2. Opening hours

The park is open from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 11:00 to 17:00 during the weekend. From May to August it opens at 10:00 and closes at 18:00.

3. Admission

An adult ticket will cost you €10 while a child entry is €9. Students pay €7.50 and special offers are available for families. Pre-booking is recommended but not mandatory.

3. A zoo with a difference

At this family-run wildlife park you’ll have the chance to bottle-feed hungry kid goats, have a ride on Snowball the pony and join the adventure hunt! There’s also crazy golf, spacious outdoor areas and you can bring your own picnic to enjoy on the grass. 

About Secret Valley Wildlife Park

Secret Valley Wildlife Park opened in 2007 and quickly became one of the most popular family activities in Wexford. It’s now the only fully licensed zoo and Wildlife Park in the southeast of Ireland.

Since it opened, the park has grown and has appeared in several TV shows such as TV3’s “The Holiday Show” and “Higher Ground” by RTÉ.

Visitors to Secret Valley Wildlife Park with find everything from capuchin monkeys and lemurs to alpacas, llamas, raccoons, goats, donkeys, horses and more. 

According to their Mission Statement, the purpose of the park is, ‘”to educate our visitors while giving them an entertaining experience leading to a greater respect for animals around the world”.

Those that visit can follow staff on their daily activities and help them feed the different mammals. The park also gives its visitors the opportunity to become a keeper for a day and learn everything there is to know about these beautiful animals. 

What to expect from a visit to Secret Valley Wildlife Park

Below, you’ll get an idea of what to expect from a visit to Secret Valley Wildlife Park, from the animals and the activities to the keeper talks and more.

1. The animals

Secret Valley Wildlife Park is home to 40 different species and it’s called home by 200 animals. Here you will find several primates, such as white-fronted brown lemurs, rhesus macaques and cotton top tamarins, exotic mammals, such as meerkats, corsac foxes and raccoons, and also small domestic animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

The park also has Chilean rose tarantulas, giant African millipedes and loas scorpions along with several species of reptiles, including the royal ball python and the panther chameleon. 

2. The daily activities

Secret Valley Wildlife Park organises activities that teach people how to take care of their various animals. There’s adventure hunts, animal feeding time, a large outdoor play area and an obstacle course, too.

There’s also crazy gold and, weather permitting, pony rides. All activities are included in the price except for the quad train which costs €2 per person.

3. The keeper talks

The parks passionate keepers are on hand to offer an insight into the various goings on at Secret Valley. A visit to the park is as much of an educational experience as it is a fun one, so it’s a nice way to get kids away from screens and get them up-close-and-personal with some animals.

Things to do near Secret Valley Wildlife Park

One of the beauties of Secret Valley Wildlife Park is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Wexford.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Secret Valley!

1. National 1798 Rebellion Centre (15-minute drive)

The 1798 Rebellion Centre is situated in the heart of Enniscorthy and will give you interesting insights about the 1798 Irish Rebellion and the battle that was fought on Vinegar Hill. This museum features a 4D Battle of the Vinegar Experience and here you will learn how different weapons were operated during the conflict. 

2. Enniscorthy Castle (15-minute drive)

Situated in the centre of Enniscorthy, the impressive Enniscorthy Castle dates back to the 13th century. The guided tour will show you the interiors of the castle and narrate interesting anecdotes about its history. You will also get the chance to visit the dungeon where a rare example of medieval wall art can be seen. 

3. Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience (20-minute drive)

The Dunbrody Famine Ship is a replica of the ship that, in the 19th century, transported many Irish emigrants to the US. It’s situated in the town of New Ross, about 20 minutes from Secret Valley Wildlife Park. On board, you will be immersed in life on board a Famine Ship.

4. The Kennedy Homestead (20-minute drive)

The Kennedy Homestead is the birthplace of President John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather and it is located in Dunganstown. In this museum, you will find all the information about the last five generations of Kennedy’s family.

FAQs about Secret Valley

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘How much is entry?’ to ‘Is it any good?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.