twycross or chester zoo? which is a better day
- Thread starter knewbold
- Start date
Sorry for going a bit off-topic, but how are you planning to go from Derby to Twycross by train? Not that it's impossible, I've done it myself, but hardly straightforward (my journey involved several miles of cycling!).
I also think that Derby to Chester Zoo could end up more like 3 hrs than 2 hrs - though helped by the recent introduction of a zoo bus from outside the station!
Derby to Tamworth High Level then Tamworth Low Level to Atherstone or Nuneaton for onward road transport, or by road from Tamworth. I've done it from all three stations.
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
Back on track...
It needs more than one day to see everything properly at Chester. That's not a bad definition of a major zoo, I'd say.
No other UK collection needs a full day, although Colchester is getting there. Twycross shouldn't take more than 3-4 hours, IMO.
It needs more than one day to see everything properly at Chester. That's not a bad definition of a major zoo, I'd say.
No other UK collection needs a full day, although Colchester is getting there. Twycross shouldn't take more than 3-4 hours, IMO.
It appears that you are being accused of being me? This forum is for opinion and debate not to play games!
Sorry to disappoint you Integrity, but I am not currently swinging in the trees, I am talking to Josie the chimp who is telling me all about what happened at Tywcross after Miss Badham retired, and I don't like what I am hearing. "Playing detective"?, well it was once suggested on here by one of our articulate members that I had adopted the role of a "self appointed moral policeman", very good, I liked that. As dear old Jack Warner used to say when talking directly to camera in his role of Dixon of Dock Green at the end of an episode when he had a successful result, "evening all",
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
It really is personal preference and what you want from your visit as both have their positives and negatives.
For species obviously Chester excels but if I was going with young children Chester is sometimes too big and I would pick Twycross. Really does depend on circumstances and what you want from your visit.
Value for money wise Chester is good value if you get to see it all and you can pace yourself as to how long to spend in each area, where at Twycross you can make several visits during the day. I think the entrance to Twycross Himalaya is fantastic, I know it was at the expense of much needed improvements but at least can bring in revenue from non zoo goers too and raise the profile of the zoo.
My partner is not a fan of Chester Zoo as he feels it is too commercial but we go on a yearly visit en route to Scotland and a carefully planned route to fulfil all our personal likes is always a good few hours spent.
I know this is a site for zoo fans but not everyone travels the country to compare zoos and are more than happy to just go on a yearly visit to their local zoo and its these people that keep them going and if in the 20 second average they spend looking at sleeping animals they have a good day they will be back.
I do sometimes feel guilty when visiting zoos using my Colchester card as I am not paying to enter so usually indulge in overpriced food and zoo tat to compensate while trying to keep my patience at the people paying for the privilege to call as many animals as possible by the wrong species.
For species obviously Chester excels but if I was going with young children Chester is sometimes too big and I would pick Twycross. Really does depend on circumstances and what you want from your visit.
Value for money wise Chester is good value if you get to see it all and you can pace yourself as to how long to spend in each area, where at Twycross you can make several visits during the day. I think the entrance to Twycross Himalaya is fantastic, I know it was at the expense of much needed improvements but at least can bring in revenue from non zoo goers too and raise the profile of the zoo.
My partner is not a fan of Chester Zoo as he feels it is too commercial but we go on a yearly visit en route to Scotland and a carefully planned route to fulfil all our personal likes is always a good few hours spent.
I know this is a site for zoo fans but not everyone travels the country to compare zoos and are more than happy to just go on a yearly visit to their local zoo and its these people that keep them going and if in the 20 second average they spend looking at sleeping animals they have a good day they will be back.
I do sometimes feel guilty when visiting zoos using my Colchester card as I am not paying to enter so usually indulge in overpriced food and zoo tat to compensate while trying to keep my patience at the people paying for the privilege to call as many animals as possible by the wrong species.
benneofelis
New Member
I went to both Chester and Twycross last week, and haven't been to either before.
Chester was awesome, clean and animals appeared well looked after, and there were always staff about, although im sure they have a lot more staff than other zoos.
I could have done with more than a day there to get the full impression, but from a photography point of view I couldn't fault it.
The Jaguar enclosure was amazing, I dread to think on the price of that.
Twycross was a different zoo altogether, and it wouldn't be fair to compare with Chester, and although it primarily an Primate collection, it was good to see other species well presented. The animals again were well looked after from what I could see.
My only gripe was the Himalaya centre was closed, which meant it was difficult to photograph the Snow Leopards.
Still a good day out though.
Chester was awesome, clean and animals appeared well looked after, and there were always staff about, although im sure they have a lot more staff than other zoos.
I could have done with more than a day there to get the full impression, but from a photography point of view I couldn't fault it.
The Jaguar enclosure was amazing, I dread to think on the price of that.
Twycross was a different zoo altogether, and it wouldn't be fair to compare with Chester, and although it primarily an Primate collection, it was good to see other species well presented. The animals again were well looked after from what I could see.
My only gripe was the Himalaya centre was closed, which meant it was difficult to photograph the Snow Leopards.
Still a good day out though.
Very fair comments, to compare Twycross to Chester is totally unfair! Compare it to Blackpool, Banham, Welsh Mountain or Marwell (sadly now) and you may have a fair comparison. For primates alone Twycross is 2nd to very few, but it really can't be compared to the best zoos in the UK
mazfc
Well-Known Member
On the original question. I don't think the two can be compared like for like as they are very different beasts. As Karen says it depends what your after on a day out. For me, I love twycross because of the chimps and orangs, it's a special feeling to be recognised and greeted - though I realise it's a product of their unusual backgrounds it's still an honour. It's also a good day out with my god daughters, I think the size of Chester would just be too much for them.
Chester is always a pleasure to visit, and is more than a full day out. It's worth going just for the tigers and the elephants alone. I find it too much in the busy summer months but love visiting at quieter times.
Both zoos are going through changes and I'm looking forward to seeing the results of their journeys.
I think, overall, most people who are looking for a rounded zoo visit would prefer Chester, though do avoid when ultra busy.
Which is the best? The best at what? It's just depends what you want from your day out.
Chester is always a pleasure to visit, and is more than a full day out. It's worth going just for the tigers and the elephants alone. I find it too much in the busy summer months but love visiting at quieter times.
Both zoos are going through changes and I'm looking forward to seeing the results of their journeys.
I think, overall, most people who are looking for a rounded zoo visit would prefer Chester, though do avoid when ultra busy.
Which is the best? The best at what? It's just depends what you want from your day out.
mazfc
Well-Known Member
You can get that at Chester if that's what you want, you just have to visit more often
Two hour drive there is ok, it's the two hour drive on the way home after a full day that finishes me off.
I'm assuming that means taxi in each case? Or are there bus services these days?
Thank you for that Kiang. I was getting bored with people attacking each other.
I've done this journey by public transport and there's a community bus that goes from Nuneaton past the zoo. The only problem is that it passes the two twice a day so once you get there, at around 10am, you have to stay until maybe 4 or 5pm (I don't exactly remember the times but it was much longer than an average visit might have been otherwise).
If I'd made all that effort to get there I'd expect to be able to fill the whole day.