About Drusillas

"We aim to inspire and entertain families, generation after generation!"

Our Story

Drusillas Park is a family-run business founded in 1925, when the late Captain Ann bought a derelict farm and 20 acres of land and opened a small cottage to sell teas to passing motorists. The tea cottage was named after Douglas’ first wife, Drusilla and following their success Douglas and Drusilla started adding attractions and animals to help boost trade.

Drusillas remained in the Ann family until 1997, when it was acquired by the current family owners, Laurence and Christine Smith, following the sale of their nationwide recruitment business. Today, the Park is proudly run by their daughter and son, Cassandra Poland and Ollie Smith.

Over recent years, the Smith family has invested heavily in the continued development of the Park. This includes the creation of state-of-the-art animal habitats, as well as opening the UK’s largest immersive sensory experience; SPARK, and the redevelopment of Hello Kitty’s Secret Garden into the exciting Rainforest Adventure.

In 2024, Drusillas acquired a much-loved soft play centre in Tunbridge Wells and reopened it as Amazon Adventure. Managed by the family’s youngest daughter, Caroline Steer, the jungle-themed attraction continues the Drusillas focus on fun, play and outstanding customer service.

Over the years, Drusillas have won a number of prestigious awards, including Best Visitor Attraction of the Year in the South East England Tourism Awards and Company of the Year in the Sussex Business Awards. In addition, Drusillas is proud to be accredited by both BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and EAZA (the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums), recognising the Park’s high standards of animal care, conservation and education.

Drusillas has also been featured in The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian as one of the best places in the UK for families with children.

Celebrating 100 Years:
A Centenary to Remember

In 2025, Drusillas proudly celebrated its 100th anniversary – a truly special milestone in our history. From heart-warming centenary tea parties with local 100-year-old residents, to celebrating milestone births here at the zoo, it was a year filled with unforgettable moments, memories and celebrations across the Park.

Reaching our centenary was not just about looking back at how far we have come since 1925, but also about celebrating the people, families and communities who have helped shape Drusillas into what it is today. It is a year we will never forget. Learn more about our incredible 100-year history here: https://100.drusillas.co.uk/

Our Team and Our Mission

We are proud of our dedicated and passionate team, who are at the heart of everything we do. From our animal keepers and ride operators to our retail, catering, and visitor services staff, every member of the Drusillas family plays an important role in creating memorable experiences for our visitors. United by our long-standing mission and core values, our team is committed to delivering excellent service, caring for our animals to the highest standards, and ensuring every visitor feels welcome, safe, and inspired. Through ongoing training, teamwork, and a shared love for what we do, we strive to make every visit to Drusillas truly special. We are lucky to have a very committed team, and everyone works towards achieving our mission statement, which has been in place since 1997:

"To create an outstanding visitor attraction experience that engages and educates children about animals and their environment, whilst also providing them with a fun and exciting day out in safe surroundings."

Our Core Values

Excellence - We strive for the highest standards and the confident pursuit of high quality work throughout our Park
Integrity - We are honest, fair, and respectful to all visitors and staff. We treat others the way you want to be treated yourself
Responsibility - We are duty bound to our staff, our visitors, and our animals to operate with leadership and accountability
Creativity - We encourage and urge new ways of thinking where it can help the business achieve its overarching purpose
People - We are committed to creating the best working environment possible and to treat everyone with dignity and professionalism