Bristol Zoo, Clifton, Bristol. (From Worcester News)

Bristol Zoo, Clifton, Bristol.

3:51pm Wednesday 25th June 2008 in

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Venue: Bristol Zoo.

Where: Clifton, Bristol. BS8 3HA. Telephone: 0117 974 7399

What’s on offer:

It was awarded ‘Zoo of the Year 2004’ by the Good Britain Guide, Bristol Zoo Gardens has a continuous reputation for excellence, innovation, and dedication to conservation. It’s the fifth oldest zoo in the world and the oldest outside of a capital city, and a long established major tourist attraction in Bristol.

Spend a fun-packed day with over 400 amazing species from lions to love beetles. With most of the exhibits under cover, you can enjoy your visit whatever the weather. Allow 2-5 hours for your visit.

How to get there:

From the M5: J17 take the A4018 then follow brown elephant signs. From Bristol City Centre: follow the brown elephant signs and/or signs to Clifton.

The North car park on Clifton Down is open daily during Zoo operating days. The West car park on College road is open during peak periods and an overflow car park operates on the Downs during the high season.

Car park charges of £1.00 per car apply to all visitors.

Prices:

Adults £12, Child (3-14) £7.50, 2 Adults/2 Children £35, 15-18/student/senior citizen/disabled adult £10.50, Disabled child £5.85, Carer for disabled adult free.

Open daily from 9am to 5.30pm in peak season, closing at 5.00pm off-peak

Review:

This was our first visit to Bristol Zoo and I have to say we were not disappointed.

We arrived around lunch time and made our way around the various zones within the grounds. The first place we visited at 1pm was the Animal Encounters, this is where a specialist keeper talks about specific animals/mammals/insects, we got to see a python, giant cockroaches and a bird eating spider, then they were bought round so that everyone got the chance to see them up close.

We visited the penguins and seals and were also able to see them swimming under water in the award winning Seal and Penguin Coasts which was great for visitors, especially if they have young children. We also visited the Bug World and the Reptile House.

The Asiatic lion enclosure which was the only thing we thought was a bit small as they were enclosed and not really able to roam as they should be able to.

There was a lake with islands that had some Squirrel Monkeys, Ring-tailed Lemurs, Saki Monkeys and Titi Monkeys, and the biggest island was home to a family of gorillas, we had to go inside to see these, there was one adult Gorilla with and youngster who was wanting to play and was annoying the adult one.

There are a large number of primates with a monkey house which has Red Ruffed Lemurs, Howler monkeys, Javan Langurs, and Gentle Lemurs to name a few.

Another grear area was known as the Zona Brazil, this was home to tapirs and capybaras, Black Lion Tamerins and Aracaris.

We loved the Twilight World, which is the place where you can see nocturnal animals awake and moving around such as the beautiful Sand Cats and Aye-Ayes. Other mammals at the zoo included Dwarf Hippos, Okapis, Meerkats, Red Pandas and Prarie Dogs, which were cute.

There was a large reptile house and aquarium. We also walked around the lovely gardens.

We found that Bristol Zoo was great value for money and we had a great day out.