Our Family Day Out at Drusillas Park Review
Reviewed by Emma Booth
Me and my friend recently visited Drusillas Park with our two girls (age 7 & 8). The park was very easy to find being just off the A27 and had ample free parking. Being a hot summer day in the summer holidays we were pleasantly surprised to not find a queue to get in. Once in, there is an easy to follow a route that goes through the animals and into the play areas, or you can take a shortcut into the play areas and bypass the zoo and return to this part later in the day.
It’s easy to see why Drusillas is widely regarded as the best small zoo in Europe. With over 100 different species of animals there is something of interest for everyone. It was amazing to be able to walk in the same enclosure amongst the bats, and to get so close was unforgettable. My daughter was thrilled to get close and see the anteaters and the beavers. We were lucky to see so many of the animals, the only ones hiding that we didn’t see were the sloths. As well as the unusual animals like the flamingos and raccoons there were also more common animals to get up close and stroke, especially in the small farmyard.
In the farmyard you can see cows, sheep, donkeys and loads more. Along the way there are stamping stations where you can stamp the animals in the spotter’s book that you see along your way, you can pick up a book at the entrance.
Another great interactive experience is Lory Landing where you can walk amongst the rainbow lorikeets, and for £1 you can buy a pot of food for them. Unfortunately, when we got there, they weren’t feeling hungry.
After the animals we came out to the huge outdoor play areas that included Go Wild and Go Bananas. The play areas are jampacked with slides, swings, climbing frames and loads more.
Situated by the play areas are two places serving food; the Oasis Cafe and Amazon Adventure. We stopped in the Oasis Cafe and found the food to be more than adequate. I also noticed that the Amazon Adventure has a great soft play inside.
After stopping for lunch we had a quick stop in the water play area, which was great fun on the hot day that we went, we could have spent hours here but the day was fast going and we had loads more to do and see.
We headed off next to the African themed Go Safari, consisting of three rides. The Flying Cheater, The Hippopotobus – this was great fun for all the family as was the Safari Express Train that takes you on a trip around the park. Even on a hot day in the summer holidays we didn’t have to wait long to get on any of the rides.
Our last stop of the day was the Hello Kitty Secret Garden where there are three rides; there is the 25 foot hopper, teacups and the Hello Kitty car ride. The girls enjoyed all these rides but I don’t think they would be suitable for much older kids. There’s also a Hello Kitty house and parlour where you can get facepainting, temporary tattoos and more.
Drusillas has so much to offer with a diary of events throughout the year such as Halloween Shriek Week, meet and greets and loads more alternatively there is the zoo keeper for the day scheme where kids can get the chance to feed and care for the animals. There’s also keeper talks and feeding times throughout the day, every day.
One thing I wasn’t aware of was is that Drusillas support a charity each year and this year’s charity is Rocking Horse, which is a children’s charity that aims to improve the lives of all children throughout Sussex, a great cause.
Our day went by in a flash, we didn’t even get a chance to explore Eden’s Eye which is an interactive maze, but we had so much fun. The admission prices aren’t cheap at between £17.95 – 19.95 for 2 years + each, but you definitely get your money’s worth, so I would say it’s well worth it we had a fantastic fun filled family day out.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £17.95
For more information or to book tickets visit www.drusillas.co.uk.
Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS
