Hope I'm allowed to post a review; I know how the owner likes to keep the zoo's privacy on the net. If not, I'll oblige and delete.
Anyway, I thought it was overall very good: This was my first Heythrop open day, so it was a very unique experience for me. It certainly makes you realise how much input in regular zoos is purely for the public! I was certainly looking forward to seeing Zara the Polar Bear along with my first Asiatic Black Bear and Striped Hyenas, and whilst I didn't see Zara in the pool during the day I managed to see her and Dennis getting fed. The lemurs were a delight too, and it was certainly tempting to respond to them reaching out through the bars! Other animal highlights for me were the alligators, leopards and white lions, even if they are a controversial thing in the animal world.
I certainly enjoyed the Film Seminar, and Paddy the Badger probably made my day.

The Big Cat Encounter was the only thing that made me a bit uncomfortable; I didn't really know what to expect, but I found the incredibly circus-like show with four tigers, three lions and a leopard that Jim Clubb put on (a reminder of his previous career I presume) with tricks, loud music and no commentary uncomfortable to watch, given that I'm personally anti-circus. Though I suppose they need to be trained anyway for media work, and they only have to do this once every blue moon...Hmm, I still think they didn't have to go for a big top style performance.
And I did meet the odd ZooChatter too; I met mhale and her partner for the second time and enjoyed a long zoo-related discussion in the Reptile Room, where I believe Ash was showing a royal python to gwaping children at the same time. Only managed to fit in a curt 'hello' though, as I could tell the kids were keeping you busy.
All in all, a good and informative visit.