Another attractive shot. I've never actually been to Colchester even though it's not that far away. Some enclosures seem quite attractive but others a bit tacky or messy. Is that fair?
Another attractive shot. I've never actually been to Colchester even though it's not that far away. Some enclosures seem quite attractive but others a bit tacky or messy. Is that fair?
It's highly enjoyable though and well worth a look - though I'd suggest picking a quieter day than I did! (this ramp to an unfinished enclosure was about the only completely empty pathway I saw all day..!)
I always find it a bit confusing to navigate in parts as well - there are quite a lot of dead ends and cut-throughs and one-way systems and almost-entirely-disguised animal houses that always leave slightly unsettling 'have I missed a bit?' or 'where will this bring me out??' feelings. It's got better overall than when I first visited in this respect, though the one-way door at one end of the path past the Smooth-coated Otters is a right royal nuisance!
Another attractive shot. I've never actually been to Colchester even though it's not that far away. Some enclosures seem quite attractive but others a bit tacky or messy. Is that fair?
Colchester is a zoo of contrasts. It has developed into a collection that mixes a confusing path system that will lead the unwary to miss exhibits, an awful lot of play areas (it is emphatically not a zoo for child haters),and more artificial rockwork than the other large zoos in the UK combined. But it also possesses a collection that combines most of the "ABC" animals (there are no gorillas or camels) with a pleasing array of unusual mammals and reptiles (two species of anaconda, Cuban and Narrow-Snouted Crocodiles, Aardvarks that breed like rabbits, Red-backed Bearded Saki, Pied Tamarin, Cherry-capped Mangabey, Gelada, Mandrill, L'Hoest's Monkey, Pileated Gibbon, Geoffroy's Cat, Spotted Hyena, Fennec Fox, White-nosed Coati, Smooth-coated Otter, Visayan Warty Pig, Prince Alfred's/Philippine Spotted Deer and Kirk's Dik-Dik spring to mind).
It is a zoo for which an awful lot of Essex folk have deserted London, and for that reason alone, it would be stimulating for you to visit.
The best time to go to the zoo is during the week on a wet day either early or late
I used to have a gold card and go every month until my business took off now I don't have the time. and if there is time I haven't the energy.
I once saw an advert for gardeners wanted, my ideal job so i sat and had an ice cream and watched the tattooed ladies and the obese husbands -in full football kit rig out- and decided the wrong animals are in the enclosures so didnt apply for the job.
Thanks for those pointers - you've all - including Dean! - confirmed things I thought. It's always been on my to do list but I never get round to it. Maybe I should take a mid week day off in October and head east.
Thanks for those pointers - you've all - including Dean! - confirmed things I thought. It's always been on my to do list but I never get round to it. Maybe I should take a mid week day off in October and head east.
