Fun times at the zoo

Just six miles from Bristol you will find Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall which offers a great family day out. The Whatson Bristol crew with junior members in tow visited the Zoo in early July, we arrived half an early, but not to worry the sun was shining so the boys played on the grass area at the entrance until the gates opened.

The boys absolutely love the place because it’s all geared up for children of all ages with loads to see and do. The biggest draw are the animals of course – there are over 40 different sorts including buffaloes, llamas and wallabies to the less exotic (but no less popular) lambs, ponies and goats plus new to the park, two female Bengal Tigers Tira and Kushkja. had just arrived but unfortunately their new outside enclosure was having the final building works finished so we were unable to see them, added to this there are chickens, ducks and a couple of very scruffy Camels. The best hands on experience for the children is that they can actually handle, feed and learn about them, the children can even take part in a lamb race! My boys had a fab time feeding the animals and want to know when they are going back.

After going around the Zoo the boys headed for their favourite place, the indoor play area, this consists of a death slide, four sliders, a couple of tube slides, a small climbing frame/maze. I lost the boys for about two hours, enough time to have a chat and a cup of tea from the food and drink hut within the play area. The maze has a look out in the middle, and this was obviously planted some time ago, I’m afraid to say the Maze is in need of some TLC, the thorny bushes and stinging nettles are not something families with little children want. My boys are both ten years old so they could avoid the pain and suffering that these can inflict.

Running throughout the day there is a auditorium where a number of the animals are paraded for the city children to be shown and educated about the farm animals, what they are, what they eat and how they live on the land.

It doesn’t matter if it’s raining as Noah’s Ark Zoo as it has an on-site cafe and plenty of tables and chairs for guests to picnic plus an array of undercover attractions too which include the adventure playground, indoor straw den with its rope swings, the food and farming exhibition which explains all about crops and what they grow into and in addition, outside you can try out the tractor rides and nature trails, with pony and donkey rides on most Saturdays.

However please note Noah’s Ark is not open on Sundays.
A family tickets 2+2 will cost you £35.00 not cheap but you can be assured of a super day out whatever the whether.

Jim Heal.