Best Zoo visit this year 2023
- Thread starter garyjp
- Start date
Not been to as many as I would like so far, but of those I have been to, I would choose Axe Valley Wildlife Park - always something new to see, can get close to the animals, nicely laid out and has unusual species too. If you are ever in Devon, go here as well as Exmoor Zoo - both great places to visit. Owners are lovely too, and always happy to talk.
cerperal
Well-Known Member
Bulk of my visits will be from now on (i.e. Chester, Beale, CotW) but so far it has to be Whipsnade. Saw every species, great chats with the keepers, lots of unique behaviours and a generally lovely area. I visited Vienna Zoo on the continent as well and even if this wasn't a UK thread Whipsnade would probably beat it. Always a lovely day out
Loved my day out at Slimbridge yesterday, with a cheeky trip to wild place too, managed to see and photograph all of the bird species that were signed and the water vole made an appearance too which was great to see!! Also great to see was the singular James’s flamingo ‘Mr. James’ at the end of the visit too
Kalaw
Well-Known Member
My return to Whipsnade after many years surely has to be this year's highlight, as far as British collections go. This zoo defined my childhood, always exciting me with its big mammals and sprawling fields contrasting London's small, urban setting. Finally returning, finding myself overwhelmed by nostalgia, as well as excited and interested to see new exhibits that had been constructed since my last visit, was a real treat, that re-asserted the place as my favourite UK zoo.
Jambi
Well-Known Member
This could change as the year progresses, but my most recent visit to Blackpool Zoo went really well, I had no issues with transport to and from the zoo, I managed to get a good look at almost all of the animals, including ones I didn't see during my previous visit in 2022, and the new lion and tiger enclosures look lovely.
Mine is probably a toss up between Banham and a day spent in South Wales.
Banham - this was a decent zoo, the first visit I've had there in many years, and it was hosting the IZES meet-up so was good to see so many familiar faces (some I've not seen since 2019) and to meet some new ones.
South Wales - this was a double-up of new collections that were very different in scope. Morning was Welsh Owl Garden which has some pretty nice bird species including Sandhill Crane, various hornbills, and (obviously) a collection of owls, but things get rather interesting when it comes to mammals. All the mammal species are small but when they don't include Meerkats but do have Eurasian Otter, Banded Mongoose, Kinkajou, and African Striped Weasel(!) then you know it's a little special... No outstanding exhibitry but just a rather nicely done place set in some lovely woodland in the grounds of a castle.
This was followed by an afternoon at Folly Farm, and yeah, this place caught me by surprise! One of the best lion exhibits I've ever seen, one of the best Black Rhino exhibits I've ever seen, and one of the best penguin exhibits I've ever seen (including Macaroni alongside the Humboldt's) really set this place apart. There's no bad enclosures, the collection is interesting, and the zoo is separate to the farm and amusement park, with only the tropical house being an exception.
Banham - this was a decent zoo, the first visit I've had there in many years, and it was hosting the IZES meet-up so was good to see so many familiar faces (some I've not seen since 2019) and to meet some new ones.
South Wales - this was a double-up of new collections that were very different in scope. Morning was Welsh Owl Garden which has some pretty nice bird species including Sandhill Crane, various hornbills, and (obviously) a collection of owls, but things get rather interesting when it comes to mammals. All the mammal species are small but when they don't include Meerkats but do have Eurasian Otter, Banded Mongoose, Kinkajou, and African Striped Weasel(!) then you know it's a little special... No outstanding exhibitry but just a rather nicely done place set in some lovely woodland in the grounds of a castle.
This was followed by an afternoon at Folly Farm, and yeah, this place caught me by surprise! One of the best lion exhibits I've ever seen, one of the best Black Rhino exhibits I've ever seen, and one of the best penguin exhibits I've ever seen (including Macaroni alongside the Humboldt's) really set this place apart. There's no bad enclosures, the collection is interesting, and the zoo is separate to the farm and amusement park, with only the tropical house being an exception.