collectons near Marwells – recommendations?

[volvox]

I'm planning a trip this year with some friends to visit Marwells. We'll stay overnight (or possibly two nights) in the area so that we can visit another collection – but what should we see? Any ideas? We'll be driving, so pretty flexible.

 

[IanRRobinson]

There's a Blue Reef aquarium in Portsmouth (or to be accurate, Southsea). Other than that my recommendations would be bird based; Birdworld at Farnham (about 45 minutes away up the M3); the Hawk Conservancy at Weyhill (maybe an hour away); and Paultons, which is on the outskirts of Christchurch.

I've never been to the last, and I know it's predominantly a theme park, but I believe there's quite a nice selection of hornbills there amongst the smallish animal collection.

 

[Pertinax]

Paultons, which is on the outskirts of Christchurch.

I've never been to the last, and I know it's predominantly a theme park, but I believe there's quite a nice selection of hornbills there amongst the smallish animal collection.

Paultons is outside Romsey.
They did have a lot of Hornbills (and Parrots) but not sure if still the case.

There is also the New Forest Owl & Wildlife centre just outside Southampton( but other side of the city from Marwell). They now have Giant Otters as well as a wide range of European fauna.

Monkeyworld in Dorset is about an hour's drive from Marwell, maybe a bit more.

 

[volvox]

Ah, the New Forest one sounds good – hadn't heard of it – I like owls, would love to see giant otters, and have never actually been to the New Forest, so that's three pluses. Monkey World is certainly feasible... but at least two of the party don't like primates or monkeys much... still, you can't please everybody all the time! Thanks, guys.