A few ideas please.

[Pootle]

Hi Everyone,

Can any one advise me of a good place to visit during the winter. I would like to see somewhere new ideally or somewhere that we have not been for a while, I dont mind travelling a fair distcnace at all and as it is winter if your recommendations could be suited ideally to a winter visit. I have a few days hols before Christmas to take, so would rather spend them doing something I enjoy rather than Christmas shopping...

PS- Not Chester or Knowsley, as I know Chester fairly well and know Knowsley too well!

Thanks, P.

 

[Pygathrix]

What about Martin Mere? There are lots of overwintering birds this time of year.

 

[cracker]

Hi Everyone,

Can any one advise me of a good place to visit during the winter. I would like to see somewhere new ideally or somewhere that we have not been for a while, I dont mind travelling a fair distcnace at all and as it is winter if your recommendations could be suited ideally to a winter visit. I have a few days hols before Christmas to take, so would rather spend them doing something I enjoy rather than Christmas shopping...

PS- Not Chester or Knowsley, as I know Chester fairly well and know Knowsley too well!

Thanks, P.

The Highland Wildlife Park is fantastic to visit when it's snowy as where else are you going to see 2 polar bears in the snow. Mind you if the weather stays like it is it will be difficult to get there and could also be closed if weather really bad so you'd need to be sure before you go.

 

[jwer]

Hi Everyone,

Can any one advise me of a good place to visit during the winter. I would like to see somewhere new ideally or somewhere that we have not been for a while, I dont mind travelling a fair distcnace at all and as it is winter if your recommendations could be suited ideally to a winter visit.

Costa Rica!

(sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[Jordan-Jaguar97]

I would recommend either Blackpool or South Lakes Wild Animal Park+SLWAP Have Free Admission.
Regards Jordan.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

What about Martin Mere? There are lots of overwintering birds this time of year.

I concur, Martin Mere is best seen during the winter in my opinion. All the wintering geese and the swans on the mere are a wonderful sight (and sound!). Closure due to weather is pretty rare too from my experience, but phoning ahead (wherever you do end up going) is a good idea.

And while in the area you could pop over to Mere Sands Wood nature reserve a mile or so away. Lovely little place with woodland and a network of pools. Good for bird watching and you may be lucky and spot one of the remaining Red Squirrels.

 

[gentle lemur]

For something rather warmer, Manchester Museum is free and has a small, but interesting collection of reptiles and amphibia, plus some very traditional museum displays (some are being updated at the moment).
I haven't visited Liverpool World Museum for a few years, but they have a fairly new aquarium too.

Alan

 

[Pootle]

cheers all.

Costa Rica - yeah, if your paying!

Went to south Lakes a few years ago and wasn't too impressed with the place and size of some enclosures. It just seemed a bit wrong to me to be honest.

Think Blackpool would be a good idea, one of the good things about zoos in winter is that there is always a few buildings to warm up in inbetween the outdoor bits. Not been to Blackpool for over 10 years, so will try to get a day there I reckon.

 

[Mr Saxon]

Ya can come to Northern Ireland. Visit Castle Espie and Belfast Zoo, then head down to the Moures and climb one of them...or Tollymore forest which is beautiful, brilliant river

 

[foz]

I would always recognise Newquay zoo for whatever the weather. They have many fantastic unusual species that you are almost guaranteed to see something new (eg. carpathian lynx, narrow striped mongoose etc)