UK Trip

[TeaLovingDave]

Which of these zoos are the easiest and most difficult on public transportation? My friends in the area have given me a lot of information but of course I welcome what zoochatters have to say on this. Being able to reach things via public transport is very important to me as I am not a comfortable driver. (Many of you have already helped a lot with this, but restating in case there is more insight!)

London Zoo - very easy, with plenty of nearby public transport connections.
Whipsnade Zoo - extremely difficult nowadays, unfortunately - the public transport connections which were once in-place have long since been discontinued.
Monkey World - more or less impossible, due to a combination of relatively distant public transport links and dangerous roads between the closest such links and the zoo itself.
Colchester - this is doable by public transport, last I checked - there should still be a direct bus from the railway station to the zoo, I think.
Cotswold - impossible, for the same reasons as Monkey World.
Chester Zoo - very easy, with plenty of public transport options.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park - very easy, thanks to a direct bus running between Doncaster railway station and the zoo.
Hamerton Zoo Park - very doable as long as you have the required stamina - it's quite far from the closest bus stop, but the resulting walk is along a peaceful and fairly safely-walkable country lane, and the bus in question runs regularly from Peterborough railway station - you may be best doing this one during the London segment of your trip, as it's easier to reach Peterborough from there as opposed to Sheffield.
Twycross Zoo - extremely difficult for similar reasons to Whipsnade.
Birmingham Nature Centre - very easy, with regular buses between the city centre and the zoo.

 

[Chlidonias]

I have started a tentative list of species I want to focus on at each facility, but I am using the website lists for now, which I imagine may not be complete?

If I may make a suggestion, you should be using Zootierliste for this. It's not always reliable for UK zoos, but as these are all well-visited zoos I'd imagine the lists for these ones will be accurate.
ZootierlisteHomepage

 

[Crowthorne]

I don't mind getting a ride-share, although cost is a factor of course, especially when combined with admission costs, but I usually find them saving more headache than they cause. Do you reckon any of those are particularly expensive via rideshare?

How expensive is the train there? When you say 'book ahead' do you mean days, weeks or months? I imagine that sounds silly but I've lost out on things before for interpreting 'ahead' as a week instead of a month. Thank you for such detailed information on getting to London especially - and the reminder which primates they have? I keep half-expecting to find something's passed.

Birmingham did come up in my searches a little but the fact you brought it up has encouraged me more so I've added it to the list. Good to know it's close to the station! Thank you so much!

I've never got a ride share myself so can't comment, will leave that to anyone else with experience.

I do know trains however. If you use The Train Line (the most commonly used rail ticket booking app), then its best to book at least a week in advance, further if possible, especially for longer, more expensive, and more popular, journeys where tickets sell out earlier. For example, I travel into London one day a week for work from Leicester (which is on the same line as Sheffield), and can expect to pay £85 for an advance return fare booked onto specific trains. Buying a return ticket on the day would be just over £100. Booking two weeks in advance can get this down to £65 return. Expect trains in the UK to be expensive, and likely delayed and/or cancelled or on strike (dates are usually given two weeks in advance for strikes). When the trains work they're fine, but when they don't it can be very frustrating.

My last visit to London was in the summer, but as far as I know all the nocturnal primates are still there now. It might be worth checking in with the London news thread for any last minute updates. The Pottos are the only really elderly animals, but they've probably got a good few years left in them (though the ones at Birmingham Nature Centre are much more visible and showy than the ones at London)

Just a note about Twycross, it is just about possible by public transport, but it is very dependent on getting trains and buses to line up and only on Saturdays. I posted about it in this thread: UK Collections By Public Transport: A Guide

 

[Fallax]

I think Knowsley may do a bus ride round the safari drive? Someone will have to check me on that though.

 

[hari Jones]

They have the baboon bus

 

[JVM]

An update: a very kind close friend will be also be attending the wedding now, and as a result will travel with me part of the journey, particularly London, and a family member of theirs has been kind enough to offer us a lift. We're still coordinating where we want to go but could be handy.

Thank you all again for the continued support and advice. Good to know about Knowsley's baboon bus and I definitely should consult zootierliste more.

@TeaLovingDave Thank you so much for all of the detailed information here.

So to summarize and make sure I'm following... London, Colchester, Chester, Yorkshire, and Birmingham could be done entirely via public transport with a relatively short walk, and Hamerton with a longer walk of some distance? Good note that Hamerton may be easier from London than Sheffield!

Whipsinade, Twycross, Monkey World and Cotswold are basically not doable here then? I was pretty sure MW was a pipe dream as it was but was hopeful about the others. Would any of them be driven to safely and in a reasonable amount of time from either city? I can sort of tell from maps but an informed opinion would be appreciated.

@Crowthorne
Thank you for all the train advice! I talked to my friends in the region and they backed all of this up. I'll probably make sure wherever I need to ride to have it lined up in advance to avoid the additional costs.

 

[Kalaw]

Whipsnade, Twycross, Monkey World and Cotswold are basically not doable here then?

Whipsnade Zoo - extremely difficult nowadays, unfortunately - the public transport connections which were once in-place have long since been discontinued.

I wouldn't say Whipsnade isn't doable, so long as you don't mind walking or a lot of changes. There are regular trains from St Pancras International in London to Luton, and from there a selection of semi-regular local buses into Dunstable. Once in Dunstable, there is a bus that takes you to the zoo, but given that it is quite irregular, I prefer to walk along that last leg instead, which is very pleasant, offering stunning views of the countryside with many lovely birds (it is a long walk, anywhere from forty minutes to an hour depending on how fast you walk, but more than worth it in my eyes).

 

[Dassie rat]

I think Monkey World is doable, being 1.5 miles from Wool station. There are also local buses in the area: Directions / Maps - Monkey World

 

[FBBird]

I think Monkey World is doable, being 1.5 miles from Wool station. There are also local buses in the area: Directions / Maps - Monkey World

I’ve done that in the past, with small children. It’s less than half an hour walk, just need to be mindful of traffic

 

[Lafone]

If you're going to a station near to Whipsnade, Cotswold or Hamerton and the dates work happy to offer a lift (same actually for any other zoochatters who are heading in those directions). I am a habitual visitor to all three! And it's really not a big deal to pick up from somewhere as I am travelling by car anyway.

 

[Tetzoo Quizzer]

Once you know your dates for Chester let me know; if I am free I will happily take you the short distance to Burton Mere RSPB reserve to add some wild species to your list (its less than 30 mins from Chester Zoo)

 

[Prochilodus246]

Once you know your dates for Chester let me know; if I am free I will happily take you the short distance to Burton Mere RSPB reserve to add some wild species to your list (its less than 30 mins from Chester Zoo)

Always worth a trip to RSPB Burton Mere!

 

[Tetzoo Quizzer]

Highlight for a brief visit today were 2 Brown Rats at the feeding station!

 

[JVM]

I want to report there has been a positive change to my plans: a close friend will be accompanying me for part the trip with their family, so we may be able to do some of the zoo trips together and have access to a car. This will probably not be for my full stay and I can only impose so many zoo trips on them so public transportation tips are still appreciated immensely. Everyone has been so helpful and I deeply appreciate it.

One conversation that came up is getting between London and Sheffield. There is a very fast, direct train, and the majority of planning has been around taking that train; however, given my interest in Whipsinade and Hamerton, which are north of London, there was some brief discussion of possibly driving to them on the way towards Sheffield. I was cautioned by my host it might be better to do these facilities from London and then take the train separately, which is where I still lean, but it did make me wonder if it would be possible to try to fit Whipsinade and Hamerton into one trip, if there is a car involved?

My current thought is to do London while there (of course) and while staying there for a few days look into Monkey World, Whipsinade, Hamerton, and if Colchester or Cotswold become part of the trip; Johnston's of Old Hurst if I'm by Hamerton; then visit Yorkshire and Chester while in Sheffield, hopefully the latter twice, very probably one of the farms, and possibly with Twycross or Birmingham added and a small chance of Knowseley if my hosts want to go. Even if I only make the three priority collections (London, Chester, Yorkshire) it will be a satisfying trip.

My host also brought up SeaLife Brighton, and I was curious if that might be worth looking into or if SeaLife Birmingham would be sufficient, or if as a Shedd Aquarium regular they are both skippable?

I think Monkey World is doable, being 1.5 miles from Wool station. There are also local buses in the area: Directions / Maps - Monkey World

I’ve done that in the past, with small children. It’s less than half an hour walk, just need to be mindful of traffic

This sounds very encouraging! While it is certainly quite a ride south, it sounds very doable if I can commit the time. My host isn't familiar with the area; would it be easy to get lost?

I wouldn't say Whipsnade isn't doable, so long as you don't mind walking or a lot of changes. There are regular trains from St Pancras International in London to Luton, and from there a selection of semi-regular local buses into Dunstable. Once in Dunstable, there is a bus that takes you to the zoo, but given that it is quite irregular, I prefer to walk along that last leg instead, which is very pleasant, offering stunning views of the countryside with many lovely birds (it is a long walk, anywhere from forty minutes to an hour depending on how fast you walk, but more than worth it in my eyes).

You certainly make the walk sound attractive! I'm glad Whipsinade is possible this way. On the way there the walk sounds lovely but I know on the way back I'd very much value the bus!

Luton and Whipsinade look to be around a twenty minute distance; would it be feasible to do a ride share that far if there is an issue with the bus links?

Once you know your dates for Chester let me know; if I am free I will happily take you the short distance to Burton Mere RSPB reserve to add some wild species to your list (its less than 30 mins from Chester Zoo)

I'll take that into consideration. Sounds like it could be a great little stop if possible!

If you're going to a station near to Whipsnade, Cotswold or Hamerton and the dates work happy to offer a lift (same actually for any other zoochatters who are heading in those directions). I am a habitual visitor to all three! And it's really not a big deal to pick up from somewhere as I am travelling by car anyway.

That's very kind of you and I will definitely keep that offer in mind! The help would be very appreciated.

 

[oflory]

I want to report there has been a positive change to my plans: a close friend will be accompanying me for part the trip with their family, so we may be able to do some of the zoo trips together and have access to a car. This will probably not be for my full stay and I can only impose so many zoo trips on them so public transportation tips are still appreciated immensely. Everyone has been so helpful and I deeply appreciate it.

One conversation that came up is getting between London and Sheffield. There is a very fast, direct train, and the majority of planning has been around taking that train; however, given my interest in Whipsinade and Hamerton, which are north of London, there was some brief discussion of possibly driving to them on the way towards Sheffield. I was cautioned by my host it might be better to do these facilities from London and then take the train separately, which is where I still lean, but it did make me wonder if it would be possible to try to fit Whipsinade and Hamerton into one trip, if there is a car involved?

My current thought is to do London while there (of course) and while staying there for a few days look into Monkey World, Whipsinade, Hamerton, and if Colchester or Cotswold become part of the trip; Johnston's of Old Hurst if I'm by Hamerton; then visit Yorkshire and Chester while in Sheffield, hopefully the latter twice, very probably one of the farms, and possibly with Twycross or Birmingham added and a small chance of Knowseley if my hosts want to go. Even if I only make the three priority collections (London, Chester, Yorkshire) it will be a satisfying trip.

My host also brought up SeaLife Brighton, and I was curious if that might be worth looking into or if SeaLife Birmingham would be sufficient, or if as a Shedd Aquarium regular they are both skippable?



This sounds very encouraging! While it is certainly quite a ride south, it sounds very doable if I can commit the time. My host isn't familiar with the area; would it be easy to get lost?


You certainly make the walk sound attractive! I'm glad Whipsinade is possible this way. On the way there the walk sounds lovely but I know on the way back I'd very much value the bus!

Luton and Whipsinade look to be around a twenty minute distance; would it be feasible to do a ride share that far if there is an issue with the bus links?


I'll take that into consideration. Sounds like it could be a great little stop if possible!


That's very kind of you and I will definitely keep that offer in mind! The help would be very appreciated.

I wouldn't think Whipsnade and Hamerton would be realistically doable same day, purely based on the distance between them plus the size of Whipsnade (geographical as opposed to collection) - though it depends on how fast a zoo visitor you are. I agree that the walk from Dunstable is very nice, but on the way back, you could certainly book a taxi to pick you up. This would be worth booking in advance from a Luton taxi company (of which there are many). I'm unsure if Uber etc operates in the area.

If you are a Shedd regular, you can absolutely afford to skip any UK SeaLife centre.

I'm really happy to help with any London advice (about the zoo or the city more generally).

 

[TeaLovingDave]

My host also brought up SeaLife Brighton, and I was curious if that might be worth looking into or if SeaLife Birmingham would be sufficient, or if as a Shedd Aquarium regular they are both skippable?

I suspect the main value in you visiting Sealife Brighton wouldn't be the animal collection per se; rather, it would be historical interest as the oldest surviving aquarium in the world having first opened in 1872.

If that isn't your thing, I think it could be missed out - although having never visited myself I can't rule out there being a pressing reason to visit I am unaware of.

 

[cerperal]

This sounds very encouraging! While it is certainly quite a ride south, it sounds very doable if I can commit the time. My host isn't familiar with the area; would it be easy to get lost?

There's maps and directions at Wool station - you'd need to cross the tracks using the footbridge, turn right and continue straight for around a mile and a half, so I don't think you need to worry about getting lost. If in doubt, follow the signs for the Tank Museum but stay on the main road instead of turning left. If I'm remembering right, the buses don't usually run that early in the year, but it is a very nice walk.

 

[Lafone]

I have done Hamerton and Whipsnade in a day when it was late night opening at Whipsnade but as mentioned above I wouldn’t do it if I was visiting either for the first time at normal closing as there is such a lot to see at Hamerton and Whipsnade is so large I think you’d miss out.

Happy to give a lift!

 

[Brum]

Sea Life Birmingham is definitely skippable, I only visit because it's the second closest collection to my house, and the easiest to reach by public transport...

And as for Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park, you can come out of the main entrance of New Street Station and jump on a bus (the 61 & 63 both do the route) which drops you about a minute from the entrance. You just need to get off at Pebble Mill and walk straight up a very short road.

 

[JVM]

Thank you once again for the kind words, offers and guidance. I continue to be very grateful.

So the current plan would have me arriving in London on Wednesday March 20th and in the UK through around April 3. I am expecting to be in London for around a week and arriving in Sheffield around Thursday March 28. I have Thurs/Fri/Sat at the beginning of the trip before I will be joined by some friends Sun/Mon/Tues for the London Zoo, London Museum of Natural History, a sight-seeing tour and some additional museums. The following Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are mostly open but will include me making it to Sheffield and the wedding will be on Saturday March 30th, and then I will have the remaining days free.

In terms of zoos: my current thought is to Whipsinade near the beginning while I'm alone, via public transportation to Luton then taxi to and from the zoo, and I'm still contemplating adding an additional zoo or museum off that early period, such as Monkey World, although I will be alone so a bit reluctant to get too adventurous here. London Zoo will be covered while with friends as stated. Whipsinade could be moved to the middle if same friends are interested. Hamerton will be Thursday or Friday, which is the one I'm still the least sure about out of this core list, Yorkshire before or after the wedding in Sheffield, and Chester afterward, possibly for two separate trips, with Birmingham as a possible bonus if I can/need to fit in another facility here.

There was also a very brief discussion about Paington but it was a no-go.