The Elephant House, Cobtree Manor Park

Hugh Garrad Tyrwhitt-Drake began collecting wild animals in 1900, and these were first shown at Cobtree in 1912. In 1914, he opened 'Maidstone Zoological and Pleasure Gardens' in Tovil Court and 250 animals were moved from Cobtree to Tovil. The first World War, caused the closure of the Tovil Zoo, and 50 animals were sold to the Bronx Zoo,New York,USA. In 1934,some animals returned to Cobtree and the Zoo Park re-opened. The Zoo just stayed open in the 2nd World War but eventually the Zoo closed in 1959,as they could not maintain high services of care. The animals were then sent to other zoo's. Most buildings were removed. The Elephant House remained and was restored by the Cobtree Charity Trust and is now a permanent reminder of the zoo