Noahs Ark Zoo Farm

We are members of BIAZA the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, South West Tourism, Destination Bristol, Tourism Attractions Alliance.

Moat House Farm is owned by Anthony and Christina Bush who farmed it as a Dairy Farm for 35 years until 1995. Anthony became the tenant of the farm in 1960, aged 22, single, and with no money, only borrowed capital. In 1995 he and his wife bought the farm from the Landlord, the Friesian cow herd was sold and the farm became an arable farm, with some sheep kept on ¼ of the 310 acres.

Noah’s Ark began with a trial period in 1998, and its first full season in 1999. Noah’s ark started out with mainly farm animals, smaller animals to hold such as rabbits and guinea pigs, goats, and a small number of exotics -wallabies, rheas and llamas. The Noah’s Ark and Food and Farming exhibition rooms were built, filled with displays and information, together with hands-on activities for children -like the bionic cow!

In 2000 a large barn was converted into what is now ‘Arkiventures’, an indoor adventure play area, packed full with slides, climbing equipment, balance beams and trampolines.

In 2001 foot and mouth struck the country and Noah’s Ark couldn’t get the camels, bison and deer they wanted into the farm until the end of the year, so instead added some exotic birds - storks and cranes. Reptiles also first came to Noah’s Ark in 2001.

2002 saw the construction of a monkey house for the new arrivals: tamarins, lemurs and marmosets. 2002 also brought more reptiles, and a rescued meerkat. Meanwhile another barn was converted, the ‘Ark Arena’ is home to some huge slides, and also has staging and seating for 500 people. Daily educational animal shows now take place in the arena.

The world’s longest hedge maze (named ‘the Monster Maze’) was planted in 2003, together with a massive indoor 3D maze - ‘the Beehive Maze’. A large soft indoor play area was installed for toddlers. Two beautiful shire horses were also donated to the farm that year.

Barry the Builder constructed the fabulous ‘Finch fountain’, home to 17 different species from the finch family, in 2004.

In 2005 South African white rhinos arrived, to live in their partially completed house and fields. These were finished, along with stage 2 of the reptile house and the infrastructure of the giraffe house. The emus arrived and Lancelot the male llama.

For 2006 the new Animal Village was created and the new Show Pens for large animals and hawks and owls. The giraffe house is the main addition, with many unique features to make it the most modern in the country.