A traditional countryside Kent pub is also home to a remarkable zoo that has become a beacon of hope for rescued animals and a well-loved local gem.
The Fenn Bell is Medway’s licensed zoo, offering a safe haven to creatures that have been saved from abandonment or relocated from other zoos.
Established in 2014, the conservation project and pub on Fenn Street in Rochester are the passion projects of Andrew Cowell, 56, who transformed a small hobby farm into a flourishing community gem.
Originally, Andrew started with a smallholding on his property, never intending to open a zoo.
He told the News Shopper: "It all began with two rescued pigs that needed a new home. I saw them online, and taking them in just sort of became a habit. Soon, we found ourselves with all sorts of animals.
“My wife was sunbathing in the garden one day. We used to have people come to our front door and ask, 'are you the man with the monkeys in the back garden?' I’d say, 'yeah, come have a look,' and take them through to show them.
“One day, while she was sunbathing, a lot of people showed up, and she said, 'you’ve turned this house into a zoo.' That gave me the idea to create a small zoo for rescue animals.
“We began exploring what we could do and looked at various places. It dawned on me that many old pubs, which were falling apart and no longer in use, had large pieces of land attached.”
The turning point came when Andrew spotted a run-down pub nearby that had fallen out of use. He approached the owners, Shepherd Neame, with an unusual proposal.
Andrew explained: “I told them I wanted to rent the pub to build a zoo, and I think they thought I was mad, but they went with it.”
Today, the zoo welcomes over 60,000 visitors each year, and while the venture has grown in ways Andrew never imagined.
Andrew officially took over The Fenn Bell in 2014, but unlike any other pub in the area, the venues main mission isn’t just serving hearty meals and pints - it’s to support the conservation work happening just a few yards away.
He explained: “We always envisioned that the pub would help fund the zoo. The pub remains open as normal and can be accessed by people even if they aren’t visiting the zoo, but the income we make from food and drink goes directly into supporting the animals.”
Visitors can choose to enjoy a meal or drink in the pub, which serves a menu of traditional British pub fare like fish and chips, burgers, and Sunday roasts.
The pub also hosts various events, including popular drag nights, bingo, and family-friendly activities that bring in locals from all around.
Since securing its zoo licence in 2017, the conservation project has expanded to house an impressive variety of species.
Flamingos, otters, meerkats, raccoons, and monkeys are just some of the residents who call The Fenn Bell home.
He added: “We focus on rescue and conservation. None of the animals here have been bought; they’ve all been saved from difficult situations, whether from other zoos or private owners who could no longer care for them.”
The zoo regularly works with schools and universities, hosting workshops and allowing children and students to gain hands-on experience.
Andrew said: “We have more than 300 kids come through each year on work experience and we are also passionate about supporting special needs schools, where students come to help out around the zoo. It’s a really fulfilling part of what we do.”
He estimates that it costs over £1 million a year to keep the zoo operational. The expenses include everything from staff salaries to animal food, veterinary care, and hefty utility bills.
The COVID-19 pandemic also hit The Fenn Bell hard. Like many small businesses, the zoo was forced to close for an extended period.
He explained: “We didn’t receive any government funding for the zoo. Thankfully, we raised about £50,000 through GoFundMe and relied heavily on family and friends lending us money to keep things going.”
Despite these challenges, The Fenn Bell has cemented itself as a cherished part of the community.
The zoo offers an annual Father Christmas experience, where families take a “Santa safari” and meet Father Christmas as well as Halloween events and seasonal activities for all ages.
The zoo also offers a “Be a Keeper for a Day” experience, where visitors can shadow zookeepers, help feed the animals, and get an inside look at the day-to-day operations of the zoo.
Andrew explained that “it is one of the most popular things we offer and people are always amazed at how much work goes into looking after the animals.”
Andrew hopes that through the work they do at The Fenn Bell, they can inspire future generations to care about wildlife and the importance of conservation.
He said: “I was born in Gillingham and have lived in the Medway area pretty much my whole life. As a family, we've been very lucky, even though we never had much money.
“We started with just £20,000, all we had, and rented the pub. Now, we own the pub and the land. We didn't do any of this for money—it was never about that.
“It was about creating something for the community, something accessible at a fair price, not an overpriced fee. More importantly, it’s about leaving a legacy.
“Sometimes, you have to go through challenges to create something that will hopefully last for decades.”
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