Hello, i am going away for a week to York and wanted to visit a safari/zoo (prefer safari sitting in the car). We have been to Longleat before which was great and we were looking to either go to Chester, West Midlands safari park or Knowsley safari. Which is the best overall zoo/safari? Im guessing Knowsley would be the worst out of the three? Im not interested in the rides at West Midlands, just the animals. Thanks
Which zoo/safari!!
- Thread starter jamesvx
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zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Both of those 3 are a fair distance from York.If you want something closer I would suggest Yorkshire Wildlife Park!
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Chester is the best by a country mile and beyond,but given that you seem to prefer driving round instead of walking,I would say at the moment there isn't much to choose between West Mids or Knowsley,in terms of the collection in the drive round part,but in the walk round bit West Mids wins hands down!
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zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Again collection wise in the drive through not alot between them,but yet again West Mids wins on the walk round bit.
WMSP has a very good walk around part, but their elephant herd isn't as good. Knowsley have a full herd with a bull while WMSP only have Five and Latabe now.
Having been to Chester and WMSP this week, I'd probably pick WMSP. Chester is just too big to see everything properly. Spectacular collection with lots of babies right now, but I got there before opening and left on closing and had to skip half the zoo.
Knowsley is closer and slightly cheaper than WMSP though. I've never been so I can't really say anything good or bad about it.
Having been to Chester and WMSP this week, I'd probably pick WMSP. Chester is just too big to see everything properly. Spectacular collection with lots of babies right now, but I got there before opening and left on closing and had to skip half the zoo.
Knowsley is closer and slightly cheaper than WMSP though. I've never been so I can't really say anything good or bad about it.
Seems perverse to not go to Chester because you can't see everything, even seeing say 70% is better than seeing all of a collection that's half as good.
I just feel really rushed with large collection. I run around trying to see everything and end up seeing very little and still end up missing things. I like to take my time, especially when they have my favourites, which Chester has a lot of!
It's too high quality, go to a worse zoo.
It's too high quality, go to a worse zoo.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
It's too high quality, go to a worse zoo.
I would rather miss something in a high quality zoo like Chester,than see everything in under an hour,at some poor quality collection like Manor House!
I just feel really rushed with large collection. I run around trying to see everything and end up seeing very little and still end up missing things. I like to take my time, especially when they have my favourites, which Chester has a lot of!
It's too high quality, go to a worse zoo.
I do know what you mean, I always think as I leave Chester "I've only seen about half of it again." which wouldn't matter if you live near, but the stuff I do see is so good I keep going back. I did a 2 day visit recently and that was much better!
I just feel really rushed with large collection. I run around trying to see everything and end up seeing very little and still end up missing things. I like to take my time, especially when they have my favourites, which Chester has a lot of!
It's too high quality, go to a worse zoo.
Wasn't it George Melly's father who said he preferred Liverpool Zoo to Regent's Park.
Because it took his son a lot less time to walk round!
Chester by far! I much prefer a zoo to a safari park but then I prefer small mammals which don't work well on safari 
When I'm visiting a certain area, I prefer to visit a local zoo not just because I would hate the long drive out of the way but also I like to see what the area has to offer animal wise. I would suggest visiting Woburn when you are in the area as it's a long drive from York for perhaps half a days zoo tripping!
When I'm visiting a certain area, I prefer to visit a local zoo not just because I would hate the long drive out of the way but also I like to see what the area has to offer animal wise. I would suggest visiting Woburn when you are in the area as it's a long drive from York for perhaps half a days zoo tripping!
Alternatively go green by reducing your zoo miles and visit Lotherton Hall bird garden or Tropical World in Roundhay Park, Leeds, or both. Not as much to see in either place, but they are not expensive to enter and you won't spend nearly as much on petrol/diesel.
Alan
Alan
