Recommend me a Zoo, South England

ZooAtHome

ZooAtHome

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I am looking for recommendations of zoos within approx 2 hours of Basingstoke Hampshire.

I have been to all the following:
Bristol zoo gardens
Beale Park
Hamerton
Colchester
London
Whipsnade
Birdworld
Marwell
Cotswolds
Crocs of the World

Is there any more that people can recommend in the South of UK that make a great visit, particularly those with unique species.

Thanks
 
I would have suggested Axe Valley, but you have a thread asking about it already.
If you are going on a weekend or school holiday then I would suggest the British Wildlife Centre
 
ZooAtHome said:
Hi all,

I am looking for recommendations of zoos within approx 2 hours of Basingstoke Hampshire.

I have been to all the following:
Bristol zoo gardens
Beale Park
Hamerton
Colchester
London
Whipsnade
Birdworld
Marwell
Cotswolds
Crocs of the World

Is there any more that people can recommend in the South of UK that make a great visit, particularly those with unique species.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I would suggest looking at this map by @devilfish
Zoos of the British Isles – Google My Maps
 
Longleat possibly if you drive? Hairy-Nosed Wombat ,Koala, Tree Porcupine and Aardvark amongst a lot of ABC's.
 
littleRedPanda said:
I would have suggested Axe Valley, but you have a thread asking about it already.
If you are going on a weekend or school holiday then I would suggest the British Wildlife Centre
Click to expand...

Thanks! Oh yes I have been to british wildlife centre already, I really liked it!


pangolin12 said:
I would suggest looking at this map by @devilfish
Zoos of the British Isles – Google My Maps
Click to expand...
Great, thank you!

Skukuza said:
Longleat possibly if you drive? Hairy-Nosed Wombat ,Koala, Tree Porcupine and Aardvark amongst a lot of ABC's.
Click to expand...

Yes I do drive, I had forgotten about Longleat! Thank you :D
 
Thanks!

I should also have specified in my original post, my main interests are Australian species, unusual small carnivores (mustelids, viverrids) and unusual small rodents
 
One of the best for your interests though nearer 3 hours away would be Exmoor, which is worth the extra travel time. I don't think there's anything within 2 hours of you that is better than Exmoor that you haven't already visited .

As already mentioned Axe Valley would be a good one within 2 hours
 
pipaluk said:
One of the best for your interests though nearer 3 hours away would be Exmoor, which is worth the extra travel time. I don't think there's anything within 2 hours of you that is better than Exmoor that you haven't already visited .

As already mentioned Axe Valley would be a good one within 2 hours
Click to expand...

May have to add that to my Devon zoo trip list, along with Axe and Paignton.

I shall go drool over their ZTL list
 
My partner and I booked the day off this Friday to go to the zoo, last minute decision, I think we are going to go to Colchester. Its in my list above but I haven't been there for approximately 3 years and she has never been. Though I believe they got rid of the Fossa, which were my favourites.

Please do keep recommending others! I will add them to my list :D
 
Wingham isn't much more than 2 hours and can comfortably be combined with Wildwood or maybe Hemsley on a day out?
 
You aren't that far from me so I have a good idea of the area. You are prepared to go further than me for a day trip, I consider Whipsnade pushing the limit (although I have done it a few times).

Some closer suggestions for other places I like.
- New Forest Wildlife Park - Specialises in European species, otters and owls.
- Birdland (a different place from Birdworld). This is in the Cotswolds. The highlight for me is King Penguins.
- Monkey World - In east Dorset.

I would also agree about going to Exmoor at some point. I have been there whilst visiting relatives in Devon and there a lots of interesting species. A must do for the zoo nerd.

*Edited as I thought of Monkey World as I clicked submit.
 
Thanks, yes I have done the ZSL ones and lived near Whipsnade as a child.

Also have done new forest, it was ok.
Birdland is on my list thank you :D

Thanks for the reply
 
I suggest Cotswold, although it has been a couple of years since I visited. It's a diverse collection, but I think you might like to see the gundis, Neumann's grass rats and naked mole rats in 'Little Africa', plus several bats, wolverines and clouded leopards. I'm not sure whether they still have ground cuscus, but the tamanduas are nice. The birds and reptiles are interesting too.
 
ZooAtHome said:
Thanks!

I should also have specified in my original post, my main interests are Australian species, unusual small carnivores (mustelids, viverrids) and unusual small rodents
Click to expand...
Well, there’s Axe Valley for you, worth going a bit further, do Exmoor for Fabaloka and Sand Cat. Oh yes, and Honey Badger:)
 
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