South-west zoos...

Falconhoof

Falconhoof

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
So I've been based just outside Bristol for the last couple of months, and will be moving back to the Midlands in just over two weeks when my contract is up.

While I've been down here I've already been to Bristol Zoo, Bristol Aquarium and Slimbridge, but I was put off Longleat by the cost, and Noah's Ark by their ideology.

So my question to you, ZooChatters, is what other zoos or collections, if any, would you recommend me visiting in my remaining time down here?

Cheers!
 
I'd drive further South and do Paignton, Living Coasts and Shaldon. They are all within easy reach of each other and are all uniquely different, if you left early enough in the morning you could probably do all three in a day. I know of at least four zoochatters who did that quite recently. If it's a first visit to Paignton then you may want to allow more time for that as it is a large collection, so probably leave that until last.
You also have Newquay and Exmoor, both small collections with some amazing rarities. If birds are your thing then you have Paradise Park and Wingz(?) not too far away.
Other places include Tropiquaria, Coombe Martin, Dartmoor and Axe Valley within the vicinity but I can't recommend them as I've never been or know very little about them.
Sorry for the ramble but I hope this helps! :D
 
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I think Brum about covered it ;) although if you wanted to do Paington, Living Coasts and Shaldon in one day I suspect it would be best to do it in the order Living Coasts > Paignton > Shaldon, partially in order to avoid doubling back on oneself, and partially because Shaldon is the smallest collection by far and thus is the best to slot into the end of the day.
 
TeaLovingDave said:
I think Brum about covered it ;) although if you wanted to do Paington, Living Coasts and Shaldon in one day I suspect it would be best to do it in the order Living Coasts > Paignton > Shaldon, partially in order to avoid doubling back on oneself, and partially because Shaldon is the smallest collection by far and thus is the best to slot into the end of the day.
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I only put Paignton at the end because I think it's open later than the other two and whenever I've been they never seem in a rush to kick you out. The other two are smaller and therefore easier to round up visitors at the end of the day! ;) Is Shaldon really that much smaller than LC anyway? I spent about the same time at both.
 
Yeah, but I bet that is because you spent plenty of time peering at the civet at Shaldon! ;)
 
TeaLovingDave said:
Yeah, but I bet that is because you spent plenty of time peering at the civet at Shaldon! ;)
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You mean that ball of fur that lay curled up for the duration of my visit? Yes, yes I did! :p To be fair, Shaldon was a rush job as my friend (who is not a zoo person) point blank refused to visit ANOTHER zoo after a day at Paignton and a trip down the coast to Newquay over the previous 3 days, I could've spent a lot longer there if left to my own devices! Unfortunately, he did not want to spend hours waiting for me in Teignmouth...
 
the International Bird of Prey Centre is only about an hour away.
 
I think the others covered it pretty well! Exmoor is a little gem that isn't too far away, I haven't been for a long time but it has a nice feel to it and had a great collection of marmosets and tamarins when I went.
 
Some good suggestions, cheers! Certainly something to keep me busy for the next couple of weeks. I've been to Paignton and Newquay before, Newquay quite recently, so I'll probably skip those off in favour of some of the others.

It's quite annoying, I'm only a mile and a half down the road from the new Bristol Zoo project at Cribbs Causeway, but I'll be gone by the time it opens!
 
Not really south-west, but Cotswold Wildlife Park is only an hour from Bristol(nearer than most mentioned). I've never been, but its highly rated by almost everyone that has.
 
pipaluk said:
Not really south-west, but Cotswold Wildlife Park is only an hour from Bristol(nearer than most mentioned). I've never been, but its highly rated by almost everyone that has.
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I did think about Cotswold, it's probably one of the best collections around and you're right, it's definitely closer than most of my suggestions! :D
 
Cotswold is only about an hour from Bristol, back up the M4 and then cross country from Swindon, much nearer than some of the others mentioned on this thread and well worth the trip. Can always recommend Cotswold WP.:)
 
Brum said:
I did think about Cotswold, it's probably one of the best collections around and you're right, it's definitely closer than most of my suggestions! :D
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Nothing wrong with your suggestions though! I would say Paignton is a must though. For me its easily a top 10 zoo and while someone has the chance to go there they should.
 
pipaluk said:
Nothing wrong with your suggestions though! I would say Paignton is a must though. For me its easily a top 10 zoo and while someone has the chance to go there they should.
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Can't argue with that, I adore Paignton. In my eyes it is one of the best in the country, a lovely setting, great collection and in one of my favourite parts of the country.
And they have an echidna! Worth the admission alone! ;)
 
I am a big fan of Tropiquaria (parrot aviaries with no stand-offs - photography heaven), and I loved Axe Valley when I visited last year. Both are full day visits for me, although I suppose most people would regard them as half a day at most - I was told at Axe Valley I had stayed longer than any previous visitor. Even if I were a driver I'd spend a full day at both places. The same applies to Wingz which I really love.
 
stu_y said:
So I've been based just outside Bristol for the last couple of months, and will be moving back to the Midlands in just over two weeks when my contract is up.

While I've been down here I've already been to Bristol Zoo, Bristol Aquarium and Slimbridge, but I was put off Longleat by the cost, and Noah's Ark by their ideology.

So my question to you, ZooChatters, is what other zoos or collections, if any, would you recommend me visiting in my remaining time down here?

Cheers!
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I put off going to Noahs Ark because of reports i'd read on here, i finally made a visit to make up my own mind and was pleasantly surprised. It's better than a few mentioned already in this thread.
 
Johnny Morris. said:
I put off going to Noahs Ark because of reports i'd read on here, i finally made a visit to make up my own mind and was pleasantly surprised. It's better than a few mentioned already in this thread.
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Interesting! Do you mean mentioned or recommended? Several have been mentioned, but i find it hard to believe it's better than Paignton, Exmoor, Newquay or Cotswold!
 
pipaluk said:
Interesting! Do you mean mentioned or recommended? Several have been mentioned, but i find it hard to believe it's better than Paignton, Exmoor, Newquay or Cotswold!
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Mentioned, recommended, what does it matter? It certainly isn't a patch on any of the four you have mentioned, of which i have been to all four.
I just think if the OP likes Animal collections he/she should visit this place then make their own mind up.

Some Collections mentioned are so far away from Bristol, the op would be just as well served going to Kent. It takes me 3 hours to get to Port Lympne, but 3 1/2 (If i'm lucky.) to Newquay.

No one has mentioned the National Marine Aquarium or Monkey World, by the way. Nor Marwell or the New Forest Wildlife Park which also would take less time to get to than Newquay.
 
Johnny Morris. said:
Mentioned, recommended, what does it matter? It certainly isn't a patch on any of the four you have mentioned, of which i have been to all four.
I just think if the OP likes Animal collections he/she should visit this place then make their own mind up.

Some Collections mentioned are so far away from Bristol, the op would be just as well served going to Kent. It takes me 3 hours to get to Port Lympne, but 3 1/2 (If i'm lucky.) to Newquay.

No one has mentioned the National Marine Aquarium or Monkey World, by the way. Nor Marwell or the New Forest Wildlife Park which also would take less time to get to than Newquay.
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I hate to be pedantic but the title of the thread is South-west zoos so I only really went for ones in the West Country. That's the main reason I didn't suggest CWP. :D
I know they're a fair distance away from each Bristol but at least it's the right side of the country, other than Noah's the others that you mention are veering to the East*. :)

*Just noticed the National Marine Aquarium which isn't as far East as the rest.
 
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