Hello all. Being from Ireland I only have a few zoos and animal parks convenient for me to visit. As a 21st birthday present, my father and I are going to the UK to visit some zoos. We are definitely visiting longleat safari park and both ZSL zoos, and I think we'll do crocodiles of the world also. We'll probably do an 8-10 day trip. My questions are Can you recommend me some other zoos? (i'm particularly interested in specialist zoos, like primate zoos, big cat zoos, reptile zoos etc) can you recommend other animal based attractions (natural history museum, for example) Is there a group of zoos that one can buy a ticket to enter all of them, or where you get a discount card that enables you to go to a few of them at once (I presume you can do this with both ZSL facilities?) Are there particular events happening at any zoo that I should try to see? (unveiling a new species or exhibit for example) are there times when the zoo you suggest should be avoided (under construction for example) And what are the best dates to go to the zoo(s) in question Thank you very much.
Does Dublin Zoo membership not grant you access to specific UK zoos? I have the Colchester membership which has gotten me into Dublin as well as a good few other too, but not all of those give the same benefits.
How are you travelling and when do you plan to come? If Islands is open when you arrive, don't miss Chester - and it's quite easy to reach if you are driving from Holyhead too. Alan
We originally got the idea because flights are on offer, but it may prove more economical to take the ferry, I'm not a member of Dublin zoo, but I'll see what membership gets me. Chester might be an idea, we may go to stay in London for a while, then do a few days in the North East and do Bristol and Chester and Knowlesley.... or do a similar thing with a few days in London and a few days in some other part of England... then again there may be enough zoos within easy reach of London to keep us occupied for the whole trip! EDIT: We plan on coming in the Summer, exact dates yet to be decided, but between the end of May and the start of September.
just looked at dublin zoo membership... it will get me free into paington, edinborough, colchester, twycross and also fota back here in ireland.... €115 for an individual and it lets the passholder in free plus 1 adult... might be worth considering.
Any time that a group of zoochatters have scheduled an outing would be best avoided. They are likely to be noticed in small fast moving herds chasing down and separating off vulnerable and unfortunate zoostaff, to hector them about the lack of toys for the animals amusement et al, and also taking notes and shouting words such as taxa, genera and gestation.
A Colchester pass, which I bought on the gate recently for £44, normally £52, will get you in also to Chester, Bristol,Paignton,Edinburgh, Twycross,Marwell, & a few others, plus Dublin. 2 zoos not to be missed would be Chester & Whipsnade. If you're going to Crocodiles of the world, Cotswold Wildlife Park is near & well worth a visit. Zoos within easy reach of London: Colchester, Howletts,Port Lympne, the RSCC.
now that was very funny - i'm now going to hide in a rubber plant just in case a stray zoochatter is around
if you are staying in London then you have London,PWP & Chessington on the door step. Colchester Shepreth & Whipsnade are all within reasonable distance
looks like the zoos in and near london could well fill up my whole stay there! might leave chester and the other northern zoos till next time... i'm sure i'll be back