South Lakes Safari Park up for sale

The freehold of the zoo, spanning around 38 acres in Lindal-in-Furness in Cumbria, is being marketed for sale by consultancy Savills following an expansion project over the last decade.

South Lakes Safari Zoo comprises 29 main buildings spanning almost 139,000 sq ft and is located on the southern edge of the Lake District National Park alongside the A590 road near Dalton-in-Furness.

The zoo provides more than 60 indoor and outdoor attractions, as well as outdoor adventure play areas, two indoor restaurants and a retail area in the main reception building. There is also parking for more than 700 vehicles provided on site.

The park is operated by Cumbria Zoo Company and generates around £500,000 per year in rent, according to Savills. A potential freehold sale would include two concurrent short-term leases to the operator with six years remaining.

When the leases expire in February 2026, further leases may be granted by the owner, or operation of the zoo by the freehold owner, would be considered.

In the meantime, the day-to-day operations of the zoo would remain unaffected by the sale, the agent added.

More than £4m has been invested in the safari park over the past decade, including the purchase of additional land to the east of the main site, which has more than doubled the site area and enabled additional buildings, such as the shop and visitor centre, to be constructed.

The zoo became mired in controversy in 2017, when the publication of an inspectors’ report raised concerns over high numbers of animal deaths at the park. A new management team has since been brought on board.