Bristol Zoo Gardens

frazzsonic123

Bristol Zoo 17th July 2009

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The zoo offers a great day out with plenty of learning opportunities and entertainment for children and adults. The gorillas in particular are great fun to watch interacting with each other. The meerkats and prairie dogs were also highlights for me.

BUT, there were a few occasions that I felt the zoo had not moved away from it's Victorian roots, at the expense of animal welfare. If you visit, please be aware that the lions spend large periods of time pacing along the glass viewing panel. This is known as a stereotypical behaviour and is not a behaviour exhibited by wild lions. I saw people bang on the glass and shout in an attempt to attract the already distressed big cats for the sake of taking a photo. The enclosure design does not prevent this and severely restricts the natural roaming, and hunting preferences of the lions.

I recommend visiting the zoo, but strongly encourage you to think about what the animals are feeling. The use of customer comment slips and behaviour which is respectful to the animals could help improve the welfare of the animals.

Yabe

hunt for vouchers! 16th October 2008

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Fantastic blend of Victorian zoological gardens and modern eco destination.

Bristol Zoo is proud of its heritage. It boasts some very pretty, utilitarian, brick built buildings, set in a small 'park' in the heart of leafy Clifton. This zoo has been in this location for a long time and has built up a fab collection of rare species. This, together with its lovely setting and the fact that it is so well maintained, make this a very pleasant destination.

Obviously, children are keen to visit, although their interest sometimes doesn't extend much beyond the gift shop and the ice cream stall. In recent years, just like so many other zoos around the country, Bristol Zoo has added more interactive and imaginative displays that appeal to young naturalists.

One of the star outdoor attractions is the (old) penguin pool. It has some excellent vantage points and opportunities for close-up contact. Another intriguing item is the see-through bee hive, where you can watch bees coming and going through the glass.

Bristol Zoo is not a cheap destination and if you are visiting with a family of four or more, you are looking at a hefty admission price. The good news is that there are always plenty of discount vouchers available, either in magazines, local brochures or from the internet. These will often provide free entry for a child if you buy a full-price adult ticket, making your day out quite a bit more affordable.

neroblack

Lots to see and do 3rd September 2008

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Get an annual pass for about £45 and you can go there at will for a year. Otherwise approx £12.50 for the day is a bit pricey so in that case, make sure you make the most of it.

Features include the new walk through Butterfly area where you can get up close and personal with these colourful creatures. It does get busy in here at times though, but nice and atmospheric. Another feature is the penguin area where you can walk underneath them and see them swimming etc from under the water, which is a good experience.

There is now an armadillo which we've yet to find but it's only a matter of time until we track the little blighter down! Other animals include Okapi, gorillas, hippos, sand cats - but the most obvious omission is the elephant which is rather disappointing.

Still, an excellent day out with food facilities and displays etc, well worth a visit.

Starflower

Bristol Zoo 3rd September 2008

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Bristol Zoo Gardens is the largest zoo in the South West & is one of the ideal family visits during the summer holidays. They had revamped certain areas the last time I visited, & there is now a smart new entrance with parking outside. Children will especially love the reptile house & the penguins ! Tickets are pricey though - & I believe they even charge for the parking now – so it is not a cheap day out for any means ! Peak school holidays it can get very busy – worthwhile using the online facilities to book in advance to save queuing times.

skoona

A must-visit zoo! 29th August 2008

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Bristol Zoo Gardens makes a fabulous day out for all ages. There are over 400 different species of animals to check out, including my personal favourites, lions, red pandas and slow loris (super cute!). The zoo is really well laid out, the enclosures look spacious and the animals seem relaxed, unlike other zoos I’ve been to. Feeding times are listed so you can include this on your walk around, plus there are extra activities for children such as the Zoolympics, and learning about environmental impacts on animals. Tickets are £12.50 for adults and £7.50 for children aged 3-14 which is a little pricey if you’re on a budget, but if you plan to visit a few times, then it’s definitely worth investing in an annual pass. Lunch can be purchased at the Pelican cafe, but there’s plenty of places to stop and have a picnic, so don’t forget to take some sarnies with you.

Highly recommended for a visit!

elbare

A fun day out 28th August 2008

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Bristol Zoo is a great day out for all the family. I spent my sixteenth birthday here with a friend because I had so many happy memories of visiting as a child. It has a great selection of animals in enclosures that make it easy to watch the animals. I have not heard any bad reports about animal welfare which is reassuring but I cannot comment on this, as I do not know that much about it. You might want to check it out before you go. The restaurant is not too expensive considering they have you caged and you do not have much choice but to buy food there once you are inside. Unless of course you were clever and took a packed lunch! The gift shop is massive and great. I spent ages wandering around.

psychosmartie

Great family day out 24th August 2008

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Bristol Zoo really is a fab family day out :) There are lots of different types of animals, and animals to suit everyone, from the creepy crawly insects in the bug world to the monkeys in monkey jungle! One of my favourite bits has to be the seal and penguin coasts, where you can walk under the penguins swimming above you! Truly fantastic! Not a cheap day out but there is plenty to do, even if the weather is being typically british!
The Zoolympics are great fun for little kids (and big kids alike) and the playground is a good way to tire kids out while you can watch them from a bench!
To get the most out of your trip look for the feeding times, and times of animal encounters and bird flyings, and theme your trip around this!!

aimex

Fun fun fun! 22nd August 2008

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Bristol Zoo is an excellent day out for all the family. There is alot to see and do at the zoo and i would really recommend it. As well as the walkways to look at the animals there are also various enclosures to look at and activities for children along the way. Informative signs provide information about the animals you are viewing and the layout guides you around the park. There are places too eat which arent too pricey and lots of places to get an icecream which is great on those hot days. Tickets arent too badly priced either. Highly recommended!