Winter visits 2012-2013

mazfc

mazfc

Well-Known Member
I know this was covered a bit last year but for various reasons I wasn't able to make many visits so thought I'd ask again:

Which theme park/zoos are doing zoo only winter visits this year. I live with ok travelling distance of Drayton Manor and Flamingoland?

Also which zoological places are worth a winter visit? I tend to stick to twycross in the winter as its fairly close and has lots of indoor areas to get a warm.
 
I looked into going to Drayton Manor last winter, but if I remember correctly it's not exactly cheap to get in.
 
I'm not 100% but I think that Drayton Manor still runs the theme park during winter.

As for winter visits, I find Bristol and Chester offer ample oppurtunity to keep warm, dry and have lots of indoor animal viewing. The only problem is Chesters size and the space between the houses whereas Bristol is a lot more compact.
 
Flamingo Land is closing today for the rest of November, but there will then be zoo opening on "selected days - see website for details" from December to March. I was told this would be weekends and school holidays, but obviously it would be best to check in case something changes. If the zoo is going to be open that much it will be the most extensive winter opening for a few years. It was very successful last winter so presumably that is why the plan is to extend it. It is not quite as cheap as last winter as it is £7.50 admission, but still excellent value. I have posted a photograph of the board advertising the winter season on the Flamingo Land gallery.
 
OrangePerson said:
Is the indoors part of the gorilla house completely closed at Bristol?
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From Gentle Lemur's last visit, it appears the answer is 'yes'. They are doing extra scatter feeds outside so people get a chance to see them during the day. Unless someone knows different....:)
 
Knowsley Safari Park is good in the winter - stay in your nice warm car and you drive around to see the animals - OK they are only open at weekends in the winter months as much of the paddock stock is 'put away' for the winter but there is usually something to see :D
 
Dudley Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. During the winter, last admission is at 3pm and gounds close 90 minutes later - it opens at 10am.

Visiting in the winter does have it's advantages in that some animals (snow leopards and red pandas) are more active and much easier to see. However, much as I love Dudley, I would be the first to admit that there aren't too many indoor exhibits in which to warm up and it's position on the top of a hill means that it can be jolly cold:)
 
Maz - I'd be happy to chauffer you around Knowsley if I'm free when you visit - just let me know.

I'm not taking my Batmobile through those flippin deliquent baboons though :D
 
If you find yourself in the vicinity of Leeds, I'd recommend a visit to Tropical World. It is entirely indoors with a very warm and humid climate which is always appreciated during the winter. Also, being a smallish collection, admission is fairly cheap at only £3.30 per adult. I wouldn't say it is quite worth a long journey to visit, however.
 
I've been looking at visits for over the winter. It may sound stupid but I love visiting Zoo's in Winter for one reason - it's quieter.

As well as visiting Blackpool Zoo quite regularly I have been looking at some other visits. I have listed below the current plans [Plans may change]:

Sealife Centre Blackpool - 2013 - I want to see the new exhibit for 2013 after their current Turtle Exhibit display ends.

Edinburgh Zoo - 27th December 2012 - purely for one reason, my Grandparents love the Giant Pandas. I really want to see their Golden Cats again as well as several other species (Tawain Beauty Snakes, Drills and hopefully Clouded Leopards if it/they have arrived).

South Lakes Wild Animal Park - 24th November 2012 - it is free entry, as well as the fact I want to get some life ticks done too. I know it's already been completed however I want to get another mark on the 2012 Challenge set by Shorts.

Martin Mere WWT, Tropical World, Lotherton Hall, Knowsley Safari Park, Harewood House and maybe Blackbrook are on the list however I'm not too sure yet. In the Winter 2013 I will be off too ZSL Whipsnade again, one of my favourite Zoo's.
 
As far as I am aware there is not much at Harewood now - I was told the collection was being reduced by 80%.
 
Worth remembering in terms of winter visits that from 5th November until at least the end of the year it's free to take your car in at Whipsnade. Certainly something I plan to take advantage of.
 
Maguari said:
Worth remembering in terms of winter visits that from 5th November until at least the end of the year it's free to take your car in at Whipsnade. Certainly something I plan to take advantage of.
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A good plan. I remember in the (Very harsh) Winter of 2010 we visited ZSL Whipsnade for the first time. It was one of my favourite collections, the only thing that let it down and that wasn't the collections fault was the weather.
 
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