Bristol Zoo (Closed) Bristol Zoo News 2022

[Everyonelovesatapir]

What they say about a bus is correct from the centre of Bristol, but that walk is not a nice walk and 15 minutes is about right, but you are still walking on a pavement next to a busy main road and have to cross the roundabout where there isn't technically a traffic light crossing.

For what its worth this is my public transport route there.

I think you would agree for somewhere only 20 miles away, its far from an ideal trip, when I can get one bus direct to Noahs Ark, or 2 to Bristol Zoo.

• 10:06
  &&&&&&&&, UK
  
  • Walk approx 5min
    
    0.2mi
    
    View on map
  • 10:11
    Castle (Se Bound),
    
    Number 51 towards Wrington
    
    22min
    
    View on map
  • 11:13
    Yew Tree Close (Ne Bound), Havyat Green
    
    Number U2 towards Bristol City Centre
    
    30min
    
    First in Bristol, Bath & the West
    
    View on map
  • 11:43
    Queen's Road (U2), Queen's Road, Tyndall's Park
    
    Walk approx 2min
    
    0.1mi
    
    View on map
  • 11:52
    Triangle West (U3), Triangle West, Tyndall's Park
    
    Number 1 towards Cribbs Causeway
    
    33min
    
    First in Bristol, Bath & the West
    
    View on map
  • 12:25
    The Venue (E Bound), Lysander Road, Cribbs Causeway
    
    Walk approx 16min
    
    0.7mi
    
    View on map12:41
    Wild Place, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP, UK
    

 

[Everyonelovesatapir]

Also I was being flippant about their working hard remark. They have said this every few months for the last 5 years. Nothing has changed, the place has got marginally bigger yet, no facilities have been added, or issues addressed. They use the term working hard, I look at it, as ignoring customers.

 

[NigeW]

A quick question on the current state of Bristol Zoo; is it still worth a visit this spring? what's gone already, and does anyone know the approach they'll take over the upcoming season?

I had presumed, as it needs to be a viable attraction until September, they'd be moving the collection out after closing, although common sense tells me to assume nothing.

 

[Everyonelovesatapir]

A quick question on the current state of Bristol Zoo; is it still worth a visit this spring? what's gone already, and does anyone know the approach they'll take over the upcoming season?

I had presumed, as it needs to be a viable attraction until September, they'd be moving the collection out after closing, although common sense tells me to assume nothing.

Twilight World is no longer open. I last went before Xmas, was very quiet, most exhibits still the same, but there is also a few empty ones. Biggest notice was lack of catering options and restaurant menu was very basic, but there are vending machines on every corner if you want snacks.

 

[Pertinax]

Just been confirmed on BBC Radio Bristol that the Zoo will close on the 3rd of September.

What's more upsetting about the closure is if you visit now, it feels like its already closed.

From this and other comments since the closure announcement, I have a feeling I may well have already made my last visit to the Clifton site now, the first being in circa 1957! My last one was sometime very shortly before Covid struck, it was already very quiet and empty-feeling there, even before the closure announcement was made.

I think that given its location 'Wild Place'/the new Zoo will have much more the feel of a Whipsnade or Cotswold Wildlife Park- mainly larger outdoor exhibits/paddocks, and with far fewer indoor display 'houses', on a par with Whipsnade's aquarium and Cotswold's Reptile House perhaps. Though one major priority construction will have to be for the gorillas obviously.

In the short term, they will have to address the access/visitor amenities problems too. I can see them improving the entry area ? As to public transport, a 10-15 minute walk from the bus to the entrance is a non-starter for families with small children, they will definately need to sort that.

 

[Shirokuma]

In the short term, they will have to address the access/visitor amenities problems too. I can see them improving the entry area ? As to public transport, a 10-15 minute walk from the bus to the entrance is a non-starter for families with small children, they will definately need to sort that.

A service that goes straight to the entrance would of course be preferable by far but I can't accept that a 10-15 minute walk is "a non-starter for families with small children".

 

[Pertinax]

A service that goes straight to the entrance would of course be preferable by far but I can't accept that a 10-15 minute walk is "a non-starter for families with small children".

I'd say try doing that with a family with very young children, a pram/buggy, backpacks etc. Its not a good way to start a day out. I'm not sure there is a good access path either.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

A service that goes straight to the entrance would of course be preferable by far but I can't accept that a 10-15 minute walk is "a non-starter for families with small children".

I'd say try doing that with a family with very young children, a pram etc. Its not a good way to start a day out. I'm not sure there is a good access path either.

For the final 100 metres or so one has to walk on a major road with no footpath, with fast-moving traffic along said road.... so no, it's most certainly not a "good access path" it's only marginally less dangerous than trying to walk to Howletts, on account of being shorter!

 

[Everyonelovesatapir]

I'd say try doing that with a family with very young children, a pram etc. Its not a good way to start a day out. I'm not sure there is a good access path either.

You are right. When we go to the Zoo, we have a relative who lost a leg at birth. She has a prosthetic but struggles to walk fair, so a Chair is used. We went once to Wild Place and a nightmare doesn't start to describe the day. The walk is by a busy road, worse still a horrible crossing and when your party is 5 deep and one is in a chair, its much worse. Then there's the cobbled entrance, which as I'm sure you can imagine is a nightmare in a wheelchair. Further still if it rains, the paths around the Zoo are dirty and sticky, again nightmare for a wheelchair, as there are very few proper paths. Then the issue of one disabled toilet in the whole Zoo.

These are issues that myself and many others have sent to WPP on numerous occasions, but always felt a bit fobbed off, with the "we're doing all we can" and "working hard to address these issues". The fact is, having a disabled entrance, disabled toilets, and proper walkways and paths should be initials things you do before opening, not 7 years+ down the line.

The Public Transport issue is huge. The fact is, in order to get the bus, you have to go into the City Centre.

If I was to go again with family, it would be bus to Weston, Bus to Avonmouth and a Taxi, probably costing 5 x £7 for bus and another £20 in Taxi. £55 spent before you get to the Zoo, is a lot to ask people to pay. Its the main disadvantage of being just off the Motorway and tbh miles outside of Bristol, Public Transport just doesn't exist.

Its okay rebranding it Bristol Zoo, but its not exactly in Bristol. It would be like London Zoo closing and rebranding Whipsnade as London Zoo, it simply is a lot harder to get to, not in London and would lose them a lot of business.

 

[Everyonelovesatapir]

For the final 100 metres or so one has to walk on a major road with no footpath, with fast-moving traffic along said road.... so no, it's most certainly not a "good access path" it's only marginally less dangerous than trying to walk to Howletts, on account of being shorter!

View attachment 531852

Exactly ! Now try walking that with a family of 5, one in a wheelchair and you will see my point. Oh and if you look from the Roundabout, the walkway across there is only slightly less dangerous than what you have imaged above!

 

[Pertinax]

As I thought. They will absolutely have to address that aspect and feel sure they will. Closure of the Zoo site is now being announced on National Radio too.

 

[pipaluk]

From this and other comments since the closure announcement, I have a feeling I may well have already made my last visit to the Clifton site now, the first being in circa 1957! My last one was sometime very shortly before Covid struck, it was already very quiet and empty-feeling there, even before the closure announcement was made.

.

This is my feeling too, I'm not sure whether it is better to just remember it how it once was or make one last visit to the shell that remains.
My first visit was around 1972/3 - first time I saw an Okapi. I made a visit or possibly 2 a couple of years later but didn't visit again until 2009. Since then I have visited at least every 2 years but now the nocturnal house has gone I think a final visit is less likely.

 

[Newzooboy]

In the email received from the zoo announcing closure on 3rd Sept, it says 'There will be a children’s play area and the theatre building on the main lawn will be retained for cultural and education events. Buildings such as the Monkey Temple will also remain and biodiversity on site will increase.'
What an odd turn of phrase to use for a zoo that is becoming a 'garden' (or housing estate).....

 

[Pertinax]

Its okay rebranding it Bristol Zoo, but its not exactly in Bristol. It would be like London Zoo closing and rebranding Whipsnade as London Zoo, it simply is a lot harder to get to, not in London and would lose them a lot of business.

I sympathise with the problems you face on a visit there and having visited more than once, I know the site and current shortcomings. The main issue I think is that Wild Place opened as a 'small scale' park when it did on limited funding. FYI, they were forced to open it when they did as the local council license to keep wild/exotic animals on the site there would have terminated otherwise..

Now with the move of the Zoo there, and an expected large visitor influx, it will all need a significant major upgrade, the entry area, parking(?) paths, toilets, disabled access, food outlets, public transport etc and that's apart from bringing any fresh animal exhibits in. Remains to be seen how they get on with all that.

 

[Everyonelovesatapir]

I personally plan to take the family next week during half term. We love Bristol Zoo, not just that but there's the lovely settings and greenery and the kids all love it there. My family are not animal nerds, we love animals and the zoo, but for us its not about seeing different species and rare animals, its about a good day out. The fact is regardless of what people make of the declining number of species and places closing, at Bristol Zoo there is enough to see and do and have a good day out. I like to take my camera and take photos. The tree kangaroo there is such a poser that I've managed to get some lovely photos. For me I was upset when the Tapir's went, as I love Tapirs and they are my favourite animal. A few years back my family got me a gift to feed the Tapir and pet it and so on. I was in my element and it was a surprise as I felt we were going for a day out. The keepers were fantastic that day and we even had lunch in the staff room. They also were brilliant with my disabled girl, and they done all they could for us as a family and even let us keep some Bristol Zoo T-Shirts and it was a great day. Even when we've gone recently some keepers who are still there remember my girl and stop and talk to her. So for me Bristol has a heavy place on my heart and the memories it has. I will certainly continue to go until it closes.

 

[Pertinax]

This is my feeling too, I'm not sure whether it is better to just remember it how it once was or make one last visit to the shell that remains.
My first visit was around 1972/3 - first time I saw an Okapi. I made a visit or possibly 2 a couple of years later but didn't visit again until 2009. Since then I have visited at least every 2 years but now the nocturnal house has gone I think a final visit is less likely.

I think I can remember my first visit as, although London was the nearer zoo to my home, I had never seen so many large animals in such a small area! Not any more...I would like to see the site in a few years time though...

 

[Shirokuma]

I'd say try doing that with a family with very young children, a pram/buggy, backpacks etc. Its not a good way to start a day out. I'm not sure there is a good access path either.

If the route is not ideal then I see the point but the fact remains that on a safe and well marked route, 10-15 minutes walk is not unreasonable with or without very young children, a pram/buggy, backpacks etc.

I am sure people walk longer distances with a pram and young children in a shopping mall. In fact this is precisely the distance from Rotterdam central station to the entrance to Blijdorp if you walk, something I have done many times with my sister and nephew, with pram, with backpacks. Needless to say we survived.

To repeat the points I made earlier, the whole point of the move is to establish a new zoo on the Wild Place building on what is already there. It isn't just moving over as it is with its existing infrastructure and without any further development.

Frankly, whilst it is reasonable to be concerned about the developments, catastrophising about how awful it will be in the future because it isn't ideal now is not a constructive approach.

 

[gentle lemur]

I know that most of us will miss the old Bristol Zoo, and I certainly hope to visit several times before the final closure. But I think that this change became inevitable after the Covid lockdowns.
I am generally optimistic about the future, because I think that the Wild Place site has enormous potential: it will take time and money to realise this potential, so the sale of part of the Clifton site and 18 month hiatus are unfortunately unavoidable.
I wouldn't worry too much about the bus service to the new zoo when it opens. Buses don't run on rails! I am sure that local bus companies will add an extra stop to their routes, either before or after Cribbs Causeway, and perhaps run extra services too. For those of us who come from further afield, the easy access from the M5 will be a great advantage and I will not miss some of the strange routes through Bristol that my old satnav suggests from time to time

 

[Pertinax]

Frankly, whilst it is reasonable to be concerned about the developments, catastrophising about how awful it will be in the future because it isn't ideal now is not a constructive approach.

If you are referring to my own comments, then I certainly haven't made any reference to 'how awful it will be in the future'. I've just agreed that some fairly major problems will need to be addressed. I've no idea what future developments will make it be like, only time will tell. If you were referring to comments by someone else, that's different.

As to the 'families' thing, a family coming for a trip out when they are going to be walking much of the day is rather different from simply walking around a shopping mall. But given the apparent poor pedestrian access there, public transport links will no doubt have to be improved- Health and Safety would demand that I am sure.

 

[Shirokuma]

If you are referring to my own comments, then I certainly haven't made any reference to 'how awful it will be in the future'. I've just agreed that some fairly major problems will need to be addressed. I've no idea what future developments will make it be like, only time will tell. If you were referring to comments by someone else, that's different.

I am referring to the general points raised in the thread, not your comments.

As to the 'families' thing, a family coming for a trip out when they are going to be walking much of the day is rather different from simply walking around a shopping mall. Trekking to their start point won't be a welcome addition I'm quite sure. But given the poor pedestrian access there, public transport links will have to be improved- Health and Safety would demand that I am sure.

As I said, if the access is poor then I accept that it is not ideal in this case but I absolutely do not accept that a 10-15 minute walk is in principle a "trekk" or unreasonable start to a day out. I haven't checked but I imagine the walk from Camden Town tube to the London Zoo entrance is a similar duration.

Anyway, as I, you and @gentle lemur have all pointed out, it is more than likely that public transport links will be improved.