Bristol Zoo Review
Bristol Zoo
15 March 2015
Reviewed by Siobhan Bridgwater
Bristol Zoo is a spendid example of a Victorian walled garden zoological park found in Clifton, facing the Downs. There is a large car parking area running along the front perimeter and also some free on-road bays can be found around the back and to the side by the lucky few. The glass fronted entrance is well manned and the staff were welcoming and accommodating. Both manual and electric wheelchairs are available to use during your visit should they be needed.
I had a wonderful day there yesterday with my friend, Sandy and our two children aged 10 and 6. We were there for over four hours of fun and, if it wasn’t for the biting cold snap over the weekend, we would have happily stayed longer. On entrance, we were given a map, and whilst the site is relatively large, it is very well sign posted and laid out and there is a natural path to follow. The gardens are colourful and very well maintained and the overall appearance of the Zoo, despite its age, is very good. The public areas are clean and inviting and the animal areas are spacious and imaginative. Within the first fifteen minutes, we had seen flamingos, loins, red pandas and Keats as we strolled along the old terrace. Along the way, there was lots to interest the children and adults alike and a welcome abundance of benches should you wish to just sit and watch.
Next stop, Twilight World. Time to explore the nocturnal habitats and habits of an extensive range of fascinating and unusual creatures as we stumbled our way through the dimly lit corridors. The paths can be quite steep and bumpy in places across the Zoo making wheelchair access a little troublesome in parts but not impassable. We loved Twilight World – it was really well displayed and full of wonder.
As we emerged, the children caught sight of the aerial course, Zooropia, and all the chatter about the curious reptiles we had just seen, and wonderful giant beetle and scorpion installations, was quickly and instantly arrested. They were in awe. Zooropia is something else and certainly not for the faint hearted. It is a challenging walkway, high above the enclosures, across a series of highwires, linked tyres and chained planks. Participants are harnessed in and attached to an overhead steel cable. The final adrenaline rush is provided by an impressive zip wire ride, across the green, and back down to earth. Our two were fearless and attacked each segment with new strategies and huge, excited smiles on their faces. There were others, of various ages, that struggled as the fear engulfed them. But the super Zooropia staff were quickly on hand, calmly equipping each wobbly legged, crying child with the instructions they needed to carry on to the next terrifying section. It is another dimension to this wonderful zoo which adds a guaranteed wow factor.
After a little run around in the play area and some delicious hot beverages from the restaurant it was back to the exhibits. Bug World, closely followed by the Aquarium and then Reptile House where we were lucky enough to stumble upon a talk about the crocodiles and be present for feeding time. There really is so much to see and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The Aquarium tanks was really so beautiful and the walkway through the glass tunnel with fish swimming overhead is crazy. But equally enthralling were the other two houses and it is hard to pick a favourite.
As we wandered on around the grounds, the impressive giant insect installations continue throughout adding colour and curiosity around every corner. They are all part of the Big Bugs attractions and they are soon to be brought to life using state-of-the-art technology and animatronics at the end of March. They will be in residence for the next six months. They are magnificent and I would love to go to the Zoo again, on a warm, sunny day, and see them all up and running. And visit the other animals and attractions we missed. There was so much more to see. Annual membership would be a wise investment.
Thank you to all the staff that work so tirelessly at this fabulous place to provide us with a really unique, educational and thoroughly enjoyable day. We salute you and I am very proud to have such a wonderful attraction in our City.
Outstanding.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £7.04 to £15.99 (children under 2 are free).
Open daily from 9am to 5pm (last entry 4pm).
For more information or to book tickets visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk.
Bristol Zoological Society Ltd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA | 0117 974 7399
