Zoo Reccomendations?
- Thread starter Fallax
- Start date
Blackpool is worth a visit, it is well laid out and flat. Two species I can think of that you don't see very much are Iberian wolves and blesbok. If you like birds they have the only Magellanic Penguins in the U.K. You may prefer to visit when the new elephant house is open, although I don't know when that will be.
Their aardvarks and giant anteaters are normally active during the day.
Their aardvarks and giant anteaters are normally active during the day.
I second Blackpool, had a great visit there earlier this year!
Agree, its no Chester but what they do have is well exhibited in straightforward fashion and easy to see.
To be frank, nowhere can match Chester. But that doesn't mean that the other zoos aren't worth visiting. If you're interested in waterfowl and bird watching, try to get to Martin Mere in the next few months: there is a pretty comprehensive collection of captive waterfowl, but in the winter there are also huge flocks of pink-footed geese moving around the area and many visit or overfly the reserve, add a big herd of wild whooper swans and plenty of ducks, with a good chance of seeing kingfishers, peregrines and a stoat or two.
If you like otters, try the Chestnut Centre in Derbyshire, which also has owls and native mammals in its collection. Knowsley Safari Park or Yorkshire Wildlife Park have larger species, but I haven't visited them myself, so I can't say more - perhaps others can add further information. For primates, you should go to Twycross, although it's a bit cross country from Cheshire. Dudley is easier to reach by motorway and it has some nice exhibits, and plans to improve some of its older ones.
If you like otters, try the Chestnut Centre in Derbyshire, which also has owls and native mammals in its collection. Knowsley Safari Park or Yorkshire Wildlife Park have larger species, but I haven't visited them myself, so I can't say more - perhaps others can add further information. For primates, you should go to Twycross, although it's a bit cross country from Cheshire. Dudley is easier to reach by motorway and it has some nice exhibits, and plans to improve some of its older ones.
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
Obviously you have the option to visit the following for free while a member of Chester, although they are all a bit distant
- Bristol Zoo Gardens
- Colchester Zoo
- Edinburgh Zoo
- Marwell Wildlife
- Newquay Zoo
- Paignton Zoo & Living Coasts
- Twycross Zoo
Komodo99
Well-Known Member
Blackpool is definitely worth a visit due to the amount of interesting animals that they have.They have plenty of active animals such as the Amur Tigers,Penguins,Giant Anteaters and plenty of other interesting species.Plus with some new babies that have arrived such as Sea Lion pups,baby gorilla,Giant Anteater(saw that yesterday and got a photo) and they have some interesting animals in the Children's Farm such as Zebu.
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is also another good zoo,while small it is easy to navigate and they have plenty of interesting and exotic animals in unique enclosures.Plus you have plenty of opportunities to do some birding as there is plenty of wildlife around.
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is also another good zoo,while small it is easy to navigate and they have plenty of interesting and exotic animals in unique enclosures.Plus you have plenty of opportunities to do some birding as there is plenty of wildlife around.