adrian1963
Well-Known Member
This is my own personnal view of my day at the zoo and is not meant to upset or aggrevate anyone buit comments would be welcome
Arrived just before opening time so had plenty of time to visit quite a large crowd outside waiting to go in
£19.00 Admission and £4.00 for guide book at first a little steep but on reflection I think it is judged just about right
While waiting to enter the zoo saw my first wild ring necked parakeet about 8 of them flew over the zoo (knew what they were by the sound they made as used to have one myself)
On entering the zoo was greeted by the dreaded photographers and watching customers try and avoid them was quite funny myself I didn’t see the point in having my photograph taken
Canal Bank-
This was a little bit of a hit and miss really you have the aviaries with what I would call not a bad collection of species within them but the lack of flight area in some made me wonder, the Snowdon aviary now that was just the opposite as this had plenty of flight area and just about right planting within, it was the first time I had chance to see some of the species within the exhibit in free flight and not behind bars
Out of Africa -
This was a slight let down for me the species where what the majority of the public would expect to see in an exhibit with this name to it but a few of the enclosures did look a little tired, this is not meant as a bad remark but they seem to be the same as my last visit about ten years ago but with new species inside them.
What did make me wonder a little about two of the enclosures was that could a young child fall ion them the enclosures concerned were Wild Dogs and the Warthogs enclosures.
Zoo world –
Now this I found very interesting last time I visited I am sure part of this enclosure belonged to the rhinoceros but may be wrong, the inside was quite well organised for the children and well informative for both young and old.
The addition of the Bearded Pigs seem to have gone down well with the visitors but the way they have used small enclosures for the Ferret, Long Haired Armadillo and others made it interesting for the youngsters
Pygmy Hippo’s are still in the same enclosures as I remembered from my last visit (would they still be the same as my last visit was about ten years ago)
Reptile house –
Well what can I say about this place in an old building and yet the exhibits are set out well and with such a wide variety of species must admit it’s the first reptile house I have enjoyed for a long time (I am not that bothered on reptiles)
Aquarium –
Again an old building but very well used and what a range of species from some very small fish to some quite large fish I feel the way they let you see the exhibits make you want to take notice again not normally an exhibit I would like but found myself really enjoying it
Penguin beach -
A newish exhibit I found it to be a little short on species for what it was called was for some reason expecting to see one or two more species but must admit found the exhibit itself to be well designed and easy for the visitor to be able to see the penguins
Big cats -
Now onto one of my favourite subjects but unfortunately I left this area feeling a little let down by the enclosures for both the Asiatic Lion and the Sumatran Tigers both seem to need updating and I know they have plans for the Tigers but what about the lions.
Now for the Servals they have 2 at present and I must admit the enclosure were they are being kept does look rather small considering there are 2 in this exhibit (I may be wrong and find that the indoor enclosures are bigger then what they look from outside)
Monkey collection -
I would have liked to have seen slightly more species at the zoo but the species they have are of interest to most people, the Colobus monkeys enclosure was a little small for the amount of monkeys in there but this seemed to be the same with a lot of the enclosures around the zoo.
My highlight personally were the White Napped Mangabeys and the White Cheeked Gibbons as I had not seen these before
Gorilla –
Was very surprised with this exhibit the outdoor area was large and open with not too much to do and keep them active yet the indoor area was full of enrichments with climbing frames and ropes blankets all over the place.
Just as you walk into the exhibit there is a small walk through aviary with a small group of birds free flying this was quite pleasing as I am a bird fan, also just before the Gorilla indoor area’s on the left as you walk round are a few small enclosures or viewing area’s firstly you can view the Diana Monkeys or Gibbons can’t remember which one now off the top of my head and just after there is a small bird display containing three species of bird must admit I did like the exhibit overall
Walk through -
Meet the monkey’s was a bit of a letdown hardly any monkeys (Squirrel) about what with the let down of no show anteater and this poor showing in this exhibit then this area of the zoo would get a low mark (I know it can’t be helped as on other days there are probably loads of monkeys about) the exhibit itself was a little strange for a monkey walk through as there were hardly any ropes or climbing frames visible.
Rain Forest Life -
I did not know what to expect with this exhibit but was pleasantly surprised with the exhibit if it was a little sticky in there but the varitity of species and the quantity of animals within the area was in my opinion just about right and what a difference to have a walk through that as mixed species and just seeing the Two Toed Sloth resting in the top of the tree was great, with the Titi and Golden Head Tamarins and quite a few species of bird flying around this made this exhibit enjoyable
Butterfly Paradise -
This again was quite a pleasant surprise but will admit I prefer Chester zoo’s butterfly walk thru yet this was very well stocked and most of the species seemed to be flying around very well stocked with plants, could do with being slightly bigger but still enjoyed the exhibit
African Bird Safari again one of my favourite walk thru’s just because it’s got birds in could do with being slightly bigger but well stocked with species and plants
Blackburn Pavilion -
Now this must be my favourite walk thru in the zoo beautiful display of species both in the free flying area and in the enclosures saw many species for the first time and the keeper was very informative about the collection information gained helped me understand the reason for so many enclosures being slightly overgrown in some of the outdoor aviaries, saw my first hummingbirds and sorroco dove this was a really enjoyable exhibit for me
Shops and cafes -
The zoo shop was very well stocked, clean and had very friendly staff, the cafes some were very steep in prices but you expect that in London fish and chips £7.20 for what we would call mini fish and chips round by myself and would pay in the region of £2.50 for the same meal.
Pop was from the tap (cordial with soda added) and again was high in price as compared to my local shops
Staff -
Now what can I say I don’t think there is enough room on the forum for the praise I would give them very friendly, very informative, well mannered, very receptive to the general public and the displays were great for both adults and youngsters as the information given was delivered in a way as both adults and youngster could grasp what the zoo were doing for the species.
Much information gained but will not put on forum just in case I relay something I am not supposed to.
Did not visit the nightlife exhibit due to time restrictions as had to get train home
Overall View -
I had a great day out seeing so many new species the zoo itself was slightly dated (same as Dudley) a few of the enclosures really do need a little tender love and care but most seemed adequate the reptile house and the aquariums are the best for species I have seen in many years unfortunately a letdown for the zoo is the Must Have a Photograph taken before you’ve even paid to get into the zoo.
A little expensive if you have children would advise you to take your own food and drink
Will be returning before the end of year as I really enjoyed my day here
OVERALL SCORE –
This is my own opinion and how I feel about my days visit to the zoo
Final score 6.5 / 10 (would have been a 7 if not for the photographers)
Arrived just before opening time so had plenty of time to visit quite a large crowd outside waiting to go in
£19.00 Admission and £4.00 for guide book at first a little steep but on reflection I think it is judged just about right
While waiting to enter the zoo saw my first wild ring necked parakeet about 8 of them flew over the zoo (knew what they were by the sound they made as used to have one myself)
On entering the zoo was greeted by the dreaded photographers and watching customers try and avoid them was quite funny myself I didn’t see the point in having my photograph taken
Canal Bank-
This was a little bit of a hit and miss really you have the aviaries with what I would call not a bad collection of species within them but the lack of flight area in some made me wonder, the Snowdon aviary now that was just the opposite as this had plenty of flight area and just about right planting within, it was the first time I had chance to see some of the species within the exhibit in free flight and not behind bars
Out of Africa -
This was a slight let down for me the species where what the majority of the public would expect to see in an exhibit with this name to it but a few of the enclosures did look a little tired, this is not meant as a bad remark but they seem to be the same as my last visit about ten years ago but with new species inside them.
What did make me wonder a little about two of the enclosures was that could a young child fall ion them the enclosures concerned were Wild Dogs and the Warthogs enclosures.
Zoo world –
Now this I found very interesting last time I visited I am sure part of this enclosure belonged to the rhinoceros but may be wrong, the inside was quite well organised for the children and well informative for both young and old.
The addition of the Bearded Pigs seem to have gone down well with the visitors but the way they have used small enclosures for the Ferret, Long Haired Armadillo and others made it interesting for the youngsters
Pygmy Hippo’s are still in the same enclosures as I remembered from my last visit (would they still be the same as my last visit was about ten years ago)
Reptile house –
Well what can I say about this place in an old building and yet the exhibits are set out well and with such a wide variety of species must admit it’s the first reptile house I have enjoyed for a long time (I am not that bothered on reptiles)
Aquarium –
Again an old building but very well used and what a range of species from some very small fish to some quite large fish I feel the way they let you see the exhibits make you want to take notice again not normally an exhibit I would like but found myself really enjoying it
Penguin beach -
A newish exhibit I found it to be a little short on species for what it was called was for some reason expecting to see one or two more species but must admit found the exhibit itself to be well designed and easy for the visitor to be able to see the penguins
Big cats -
Now onto one of my favourite subjects but unfortunately I left this area feeling a little let down by the enclosures for both the Asiatic Lion and the Sumatran Tigers both seem to need updating and I know they have plans for the Tigers but what about the lions.
Now for the Servals they have 2 at present and I must admit the enclosure were they are being kept does look rather small considering there are 2 in this exhibit (I may be wrong and find that the indoor enclosures are bigger then what they look from outside)
Monkey collection -
I would have liked to have seen slightly more species at the zoo but the species they have are of interest to most people, the Colobus monkeys enclosure was a little small for the amount of monkeys in there but this seemed to be the same with a lot of the enclosures around the zoo.
My highlight personally were the White Napped Mangabeys and the White Cheeked Gibbons as I had not seen these before
Gorilla –
Was very surprised with this exhibit the outdoor area was large and open with not too much to do and keep them active yet the indoor area was full of enrichments with climbing frames and ropes blankets all over the place.
Just as you walk into the exhibit there is a small walk through aviary with a small group of birds free flying this was quite pleasing as I am a bird fan, also just before the Gorilla indoor area’s on the left as you walk round are a few small enclosures or viewing area’s firstly you can view the Diana Monkeys or Gibbons can’t remember which one now off the top of my head and just after there is a small bird display containing three species of bird must admit I did like the exhibit overall
Walk through -
Meet the monkey’s was a bit of a letdown hardly any monkeys (Squirrel) about what with the let down of no show anteater and this poor showing in this exhibit then this area of the zoo would get a low mark (I know it can’t be helped as on other days there are probably loads of monkeys about) the exhibit itself was a little strange for a monkey walk through as there were hardly any ropes or climbing frames visible.
Rain Forest Life -
I did not know what to expect with this exhibit but was pleasantly surprised with the exhibit if it was a little sticky in there but the varitity of species and the quantity of animals within the area was in my opinion just about right and what a difference to have a walk through that as mixed species and just seeing the Two Toed Sloth resting in the top of the tree was great, with the Titi and Golden Head Tamarins and quite a few species of bird flying around this made this exhibit enjoyable
Butterfly Paradise -
This again was quite a pleasant surprise but will admit I prefer Chester zoo’s butterfly walk thru yet this was very well stocked and most of the species seemed to be flying around very well stocked with plants, could do with being slightly bigger but still enjoyed the exhibit
African Bird Safari again one of my favourite walk thru’s just because it’s got birds in could do with being slightly bigger but well stocked with species and plants
Blackburn Pavilion -
Now this must be my favourite walk thru in the zoo beautiful display of species both in the free flying area and in the enclosures saw many species for the first time and the keeper was very informative about the collection information gained helped me understand the reason for so many enclosures being slightly overgrown in some of the outdoor aviaries, saw my first hummingbirds and sorroco dove this was a really enjoyable exhibit for me
Shops and cafes -
The zoo shop was very well stocked, clean and had very friendly staff, the cafes some were very steep in prices but you expect that in London fish and chips £7.20 for what we would call mini fish and chips round by myself and would pay in the region of £2.50 for the same meal.
Pop was from the tap (cordial with soda added) and again was high in price as compared to my local shops
Staff -
Now what can I say I don’t think there is enough room on the forum for the praise I would give them very friendly, very informative, well mannered, very receptive to the general public and the displays were great for both adults and youngsters as the information given was delivered in a way as both adults and youngster could grasp what the zoo were doing for the species.
Much information gained but will not put on forum just in case I relay something I am not supposed to.
Did not visit the nightlife exhibit due to time restrictions as had to get train home
Overall View -
I had a great day out seeing so many new species the zoo itself was slightly dated (same as Dudley) a few of the enclosures really do need a little tender love and care but most seemed adequate the reptile house and the aquariums are the best for species I have seen in many years unfortunately a letdown for the zoo is the Must Have a Photograph taken before you’ve even paid to get into the zoo.
A little expensive if you have children would advise you to take your own food and drink
Will be returning before the end of year as I really enjoyed my day here
OVERALL SCORE –
This is my own opinion and how I feel about my days visit to the zoo
Final score 6.5 / 10 (would have been a 7 if not for the photographers)
