The Jungle Experience unveils enhanced offering at Asper Property Group’s Manor Farm Crafts Centre

The jungle has come to Earlswood with the opening of a unique visitor attraction, The Jungle Experience, at Asper Property Group’s Manor Farm Craft Centre.

Charlie London, MD of Asper Property Group, John Ahern, director, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Everton Burke OBE DL, and Darren Edwards, founder of The Jungle Experience - photo Ian Yates | The Jungle Experience

placeholder image — Charlie London, MD of Asper Property Group, John Ahern, director, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Everton Burke OBE DL, and Darren Edwards, founder of The Jungle Experience - photo Ian Yates | The Jungle Experience

The expanded business in Wood Lane, Earlswood, near Solihull, was officially launched by the Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Everton Burke OBE DL.

The Jungle Experience is the brainchild of Darren Edwards who has worked with exotic animals and wildlife for 30 years.

The project is an expansion of the existing Jungle Rangers Jungle Hut, a small, family-run reptile sanctuary and education centre that has been operating at Manor Farm for several years.

The enlarged business has taken three units at Manor Farm to expand the offering.

He said: “Creating The Jungle Experience is something I've dreamed of doing for a very long time.

“For us, this isn't simply about opening another visitor attraction. It's about building something meaningful for our community, creating a safe and inspiring place for children to learn, and giving rescued and surrendered animals the specialist care and permanent homes they deserve.

“We're incredibly grateful to Charlie London and Asper Property Group for supporting our vision and giving us the opportunity to develop something special here at Manor Farm.”

Operated through Jungle Lifeline CIC, the aim is to create a unique, immersive experience where visitors can discover wildlife, learn about conservation and get closer to some incredible animals.

The attraction will provide a permanent home for our existing collection of rescued and surrendered reptiles, alongside other animals needing specialist care.

Plans include themed reptile exhibits, meerkats, tortoises, educational spaces, children's parties and interactive wildlife experiences.

Darren Edwards added: “We are aiming to welcome visitors in spring 2027, subject to the necessary approvals.”

“We were honoured to welcome a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands to the Jungle Hut and the developing Jungle Experience.

“The visit provided an opportunity to showcase our existing educational work, meet some of the young people benefiting from our programmes and share our vision for the future. Representatives from Solihull's education services and other local supporters joined us for the occasion.

He said that The Deputy Lieutenant, Everton Burke OBE DL, was extremely complimentary about the work and the plans for the new attraction and offered to help raise awareness of the project.

“The visit was a proud moment for our small organisation and an encouraging recognition of the work we are doing within the community.”

Charlie London, managing director of Asper Property Group, the Droitwich-based developer which is developing a number of wellness, wellness, health and crafts hubs across the West Midlands region, said: “We are very pleased and proud to be able to help Darren and his team grow the business and offer something unique in the area.

“Through Jungle Lifeline CIC, they want to make wildlife education and conservation more accessible to local families, schools and community groups.

“The expansion will allow then to reach more people, broaden their educational programmes and provide improved facilities for the animals in their care.”