Horrible Science at London Zoo Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Mel Randle
Yesterday we spent a wonderful day at London Zoo checking out what they have going on for families over the summer holidays. As well as all the usual offerings, from now until 2nd September you can get involved with all the gory elements of zoology on the Horrible Science Family Trail.
Horrible Science is a book series and now TV series that introduces children to and educates them in the world of science in a way that children understand – gory and disgusting!! For this zoo trail you can learn about six scientists who are legendary in the world of animals including Charles Darwin and Christine Hawkey (if you don’t know who they are this trail is for you!). There are information boards to find, activities to do and a little prize at the end. In addition to the trail there is a fab interactive science show at certain times throughout the day and the opportunity to make some slime and test your stickiness against that of a Partula snail!
Horrible Science is only one of the reasons to visit London Zoo over the holidays. There is so much to see and do there, for me it is one of the best days out you can have in the capital. It has been about 18 months since I last visited and they have made so many improvements (with more to come) that, for us, it was like visiting for the first time. New additions to the zoo in the last few years include the new Reptile House, with a menagerie of snakes and lizards, and Monkey Valley where you can walk through the home of colobus monkeys. Then there are the old favourites such as Rainforest Life, where you will often find the resident sloth hanging out over the walkway, and Tiny Giants, where you can get up close and personal with all sorts of creepy crawlies. With such a huge range of animals in beautiful habitats, it would be impossible not to find something to fall in love with. For me, it was the zoo’s new Black And Rufous Sengi, a gorgeous little mammal that resembles a rodent with an elephant’s trunk. My daughter on the other hand couldn’t drag herself away from the baby meerkats!
It’s not only the animals that make this a great day out! A range of keeper talks and demonstrations throughout the day are not only fun but also very informative and do a great job of highlighting the work ZSL do for animal conservation and educate on what we could be doing to help our planet. If you are looking for something extra, the new Zootown for ages 8 and younger gives the children a chance to role play as vets or conservationists or the VR experience can transport you into the heart of the action (extra charge applies for these activities). Or you could just hang out in the play area for a bit and enjoy a coffee and cake from the cafe.
I really cannot recommend London Zoo as a day out enough! Easily accessible on London transport and plenty to do to fill the day. We can’t wait to go back and do it all again!
Rating: 5/5
The Horrible Science Family Trail is included with zoo admission tickets.
For ticket prices, event details and opening times etc, please visit www.londonzoo.org