Doncaster's Award-winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park is lifting Christmas spirits with a unique range of festive gifts!

A VIP visit to see the park’s new polar bear, Hamish, is the star present in a sackful of memorable experiences and exciting gifts on offer to lift the gloom. 

The VIP Polar Bear Experience is the ultimate Christmas present for animal lovers and includes two hours with one of the animal rangers who care for the bears as well as getting almost face-to-face with 2 ½-year-old Hamish, who arrived at the park earlier this month. 

The package, which can be organized for anytime during 2021, includes insights into their behaviour, biology and the opportunity to learn and discuss the challenges polar bears face in the wild. 

Hamish, who is the first polar bear to be born in the UK, is settling into his new home at Project Polar, a ten-acre reserve at the park, at Branton, near Doncaster. He moved from the Highland Wildlife Park as part of the park’s European Endangered Species Programme (EEP).

The park is also offering a sparkling selection of experience gifts with the Alternative Big Five Experience allowing guests to get up close and personal with African Lions, Amur Tigers, Giraffes, Rhinos and enjoy a big breakfast at the Safari Café. 

 “The park’s VIP Polar Bear Experience is extra special this year as we have the wonderful Hamish, who will definitely be a visitor favourite this Christmas,” said Matt Hartey, Head of Animals. 

“Our Animal Experiences here at the park offer an amazing opportunity for the public to get even closer to some of the world’s most incredible animals. It is also a great opportunity to learn more about the endangered species and their fascinating lives.” 

On the prowl for the purrrfect Christmas gift? Yorkshire Wildlife Park's Festive Gift Boxes are the ideal present for any animal lover! These brand-new exciting gifts can include a selection of gorgeous plush toys, animal themed merch and wildlife park entry vouchers. Christmas Gift Boxes make the ideal easy present for friends or family.

The Meet the Animals Experience, which provides the perfect chance to feed the playful Meerkats, cute Lemurs and hopping Wallabies, is a favourite gift along with adoption packs, which enable people to adopt their much-loved animal for a year, support their upkeep at the conservation work of Yorkshire Wildlife Park Foundation. 

Adoption packs are available for eight different species, including Amur Tigers, Giraffes and Polar Bears, and they include a cuddly toy of the chosen animal, a free admission to the park and entry to the adopter’s celebration day next year. 

Annual Passes, priced at £65 for adults and £60 for children and seniors, also make ideal gifts for animal enthusiasts, giving them a full year of unlimited fun at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.  

The park has vouchers for the mouth-watering experience at the Safari Cafe for its traditional afternoon tea of delicious sandwiches, scones and cakes from £14.95 per adult and £8.95 per child. These can be purchased with or without admission tickets to the park. 

“This has been a tough year for everyone, so it is important that we all spread some joy over Christmas,” said Cheryl Williams, director of the park. “We have so many experience presents that will make amazing and inspiring presents while also helping secure the future of at-risk species and help give the park a much needed financial boost after having to twice close in lockdowns.” 

The park is being light up with magical Christmas Illuminations, which features the biggest lantern display in Yorkshire this year and more than 2,400 metres of illuminated trails filled with awe inspiring giant lanterns themed as animals, mystical creatures and Jurassic dinosaurs. 

The shimmering spectacle runs from December to January 17 2021, subject to government guidelines.  

Tickets for the legendary Safari Nights concert are now on sale and a date to see star acts – including Irish pop sensation Ronan Keating and headline Welsh superstar Katherine Jenkins - also make perfect gifts. 

YWP, which is one of the fastest growing wildlife attractions in the UK, offers families an entertaining, fun filled and educational day out. 

• Gifts and experiences are subject to availability. 

Prices for the Safari Cafe Afternoon Tea experience do not include general admission to the park.