Attraction celebrates record-breaking visitor numbers

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, (YWP) near Doncaster, has reported a record-breaking year – drawing in nearly 920,000 visitors.

In total 918,114 enjoyed the park in the year up to the end of the company’s financial year of 30 November, a 6% increase on the year before.

These numbers mean YWP should be in the top ten most popular tourist attractions in the UK for the first time.

The rise came after the park’s expansion with a new entrance, new reserves and a central entertainment hub – The Hive – as well as the opening of the Hex Hotel in April.

Pangea, a dinosaur attraction which opened in May and the Winter Illuminations, which transform the park into a Winter Wonderland, also contributed to extra and repeat visitors.

YWP CEO, John Minion, said: “Considering the current climate both globally and domestically it is an incredible achievement to see such an increase.

“We are so grateful for the support from all the visitors who contributed to us achieving a record-breaking year.

“This is the first year of the hotel being open – allowing us to become a true national destination attraction so we should continue to grow next year.

“However, we have also faced challenges this year. Like all businesses we have seen a big increase in our cost base with inflation running so high. Meanwhile, visitors have been spending less due to the cost-of-living crisis.

“But I am confident we are firmly on track to have a successful 2023 despite the challenging environment.”