Beale Park Beale Wildlife Park 2023

I'm hoping to pay another visit after several years. Hows the zoo layout for people with mobility issues,since my last visit,as my sister may have to take her mobility scooter along ...?


It's all flat tarmac pathways. Probably the most accessible park in the Uk that I've ever been to tbh.

There's one area down at the end where the zebras are that is grass, but it's still flat.
 
It's all flat tarmac pathways. Probably the most accessible park in the Uk that I've ever been to tbh.

There's one area down at the end where the zebras are that is grass, but it's still flat.

If I could pick your brains for a minute whilst you're discussing accessibility?

I know on the website there's a generic 'some enclosures aren't wheelchair accessible' and that I'll have to phone and discuss it with someone before booking, but just off the top of your head - how accessible are the enclosures for the carnivore experience? Would they be suitable for an ambulant wheelchair user when I can use a crutch to walk short distances and stand for short periods? Are there any options/animal choices that are a definite no, or any which would be much better?

I have done a fair number of encounters at various zoos and I know it can be quite hit and miss for how far away I have to leave my chair, how uneven or steep the ground is, how fit and mobile I have to be to participate and even if the individual animals are likely to be spooked by the chair or the crutch.

Just thought I'd ask to get more of an idea before I phone up. Thank you!
 
IMG_0127.jpeg IMG_0128.jpeg IMG_0130.jpeg IMG_0132.jpeg So after a couple of weeks of graft, the tired old aviaries and wildcat enclosures have been pulled apart and that area has been opened up into a lovely wild woodland area that now houses a couple of cracking young wild boar sows from this year’s litter at Whipsnade. We kept the pathway as is, so you’re able to “walk into” the enclosure and have the boars on all sides. They’ve settled in well and look great amongst the Northern hemisphere cold climate animals on that section.
Next up, new wildcat enclosure!

IMG_0127.jpeg
 

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View attachment 664044 View attachment 664045 View attachment 664046 View attachment 664047 So after a couple of weeks of graft, the tired old aviaries and wildcat enclosures have been pulled apart and that area has been opened up into a lovely wild woodland area that now houses a couple of cracking young wild boar sows from this year’s litter at Whipsnade. We kept the pathway as is, so you’re able to “walk into” the enclosure and have the boars on all sides. They’ve settled in well and look great amongst the Northern hemisphere cold climate animals on that section.
Next up, new wildcat enclosure!

View attachment 664044

Excellent new addition! Was fun to see them as piglets recently at Whipsnade and will be good to see them in their new space. Like the change to the area - the new enclosure looks good and being able to get to see both sides with the path through the trees etc vs just being along one side is a nice touch.
 
We kept the pathway as is, so you’re able to “walk into” the enclosure and have the boars on all sides.
How does that work? Is it two enclosures (one on either side of the path) with pigs in each?
 
How does that work? Is it two enclosures (one on either side of the path) with pigs in each?

They have access to both, but we need 2 spaces to work safely with them locked in one side whilst the keeper services the other.

There is a circle path in the middle that the public can walk into so that they can get close up to them....makes it more interesting than just another square paddock.:D
 
If I could pick your brains for a minute whilst you're discussing accessibility?

I know on the website there's a generic 'some enclosures aren't wheelchair accessible' and that I'll have to phone and discuss it with someone before booking, but just off the top of your head - how accessible are the enclosures for the carnivore experience? Would they be suitable for an ambulant wheelchair user when I can use a crutch to walk short distances and stand for short periods? Are there any options/animal choices that are a definite no, or any which would be much better?

I have done a fair number of encounters at various zoos and I know it can be quite hit and miss for how far away I have to leave my chair, how uneven or steep the ground is, how fit and mobile I have to be to participate and even if the individual animals are likely to be spooked by the chair or the crutch.

Just thought I'd ask to get more of an idea before I phone up. Thank you!

I will PM you ;)
 
There is a circle path in the middle that the public can walk into so that they can get close up to them....makes it more interesting than just another square paddock.:D
Oh right, I thought you meant a path right through from one side to the other, and I couldn't see how that would work as a single enclosure. But more like a horseshoe enclosure instead?
 
View attachment 664044 View attachment 664045 View attachment 664046 View attachment 664047 So after a couple of weeks of graft, the tired old aviaries and wildcat enclosures have been pulled apart and that area has been opened up into a lovely wild woodland area that now houses a couple of cracking young wild boar sows from this year’s litter at Whipsnade. We kept the pathway as is, so you’re able to “walk into” the enclosure and have the boars on all sides. They’ve settled in well and look great amongst the Northern hemisphere cold climate animals on that section.
Next up, new wildcat enclosure!

View attachment 664044
I saw and photographed them in May at Whipsnade, when they were much younger and still had their striped colours. Fascinating how quickly they grow up, and nice to see that they have moved to a new home, and one that looks excellent from the photos above!
 
It's all flat tarmac pathways. Probably the most accessible park in the Uk that I've ever been to tbh.

There's one area down at the end where the zebras are that is grass, but it's still flat.

Thanks. Pretty much how i remember it. Thats great.
 
Had a fun day at Beale Park today, chilly but bright sun all day. First frosty zoo morning of my late Autumn trips.

Enjoyed the new wild boar enclosure and seeing the two Whipsnade bred sows rooting around in the leaves. Nicely constructed space and it's great to get the views from different sides, thoughtful design. The benches around the enclosure make for a good spot to spend time too. As nice as the photos made it look. Took a panoramic for the gallery.

The lynx kittens look great, now proper miniatures of their parents. Had particularly good views during the talk and feed.

Some construction going on between the snowy owls and the boar, I'd guess could be the new Scottish wildcat space with an outside space fence going up.

Got some good views of the Brahminy Mynahs who have mostly eluded me on previous visits so that was fun. Also caught the agouti and birds in that aviary at feeding time too. Elsewhere lots of the animals were enjoying the warmth of the sun so saw everything out except the Binturong and Tapir who were tucked away in their houses - given the temperature you couldn't blame them!
 
On my last visit a few weeks ago, there was a metal gate with a "new animal coming soon" sign between the wild boar and snowy owls. I wasn't sure though if there was something happening there or if it was from the boar enclosure and hadn't been moved away yet.
 
We visited beale park today and was really impressed.
The kids loved the Arctic foxes and also loved watching the capybara dive in and have a swim great that their enclosure allows them to do this.
As a fan of vultures it was great to see so many turkey vultures they were a nice surprise as we hadn't noticed them on the website etc before going. Have they been here long and where did they all come from?
The nocturnal house was really nice impressive species in there.
Some amazing birds on show which was also a treat.
We was really impressed with the lynx enclosure and also was nice to see the porcupine out at times and in a really nice enclosure.
There was so many other impressive animals we will definitely be planning a return next year.

Looking through some past comments it seems we somehow missed the sika deer if they are still at the park?
 
We visited beale park today and was really impressed.
The kids loved the Arctic foxes and also loved watching the capybara dive in and have a swim great that their enclosure allows them to do this.
As a fan of vultures it was great to see so many turkey vultures they were a nice surprise as we hadn't noticed them on the website etc before going. Have they been here long and where did they all come from?
The nocturnal house was really nice impressive species in there.
Some amazing birds on show which was also a treat.
We was really impressed with the lynx enclosure and also was nice to see the porcupine out at times and in a really nice enclosure.
There was so many other impressive animals we will definitely be planning a return next year.

Looking through some past comments it seems we somehow missed the sika deer if they are still at the park?

Sounds like a great visit. I think the Turkey vultures must be new arrivals - exciting addition.
 
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