Recommended by Debbie Jackson with children ages 7 and 4 on Fri May 07 2021

Lots to see in close proximity, from flamingoes, penguins and spider monkeys to chimpanzees, giraffes and orangutans. Known for their monkey conservation work, there are lots of varieties of apes. The gibbons are great, my girls made monkey noises and they started doing it back! Two lovely play areas, 1 for the climbers amongst them and the other with a wooden train, both accompanied by picnic benches. Loads of toilets and picnic benches dotted around and one cafe and one Costa takeaway open. We did it in 4 hours but could take longer and took a picnic which saved any queuing. With Covid-19, the indoor areas are shut. We didn’t feel we missed out apart from the rhinos who had gone to bed (but apparently normally surface around 3pm), we saw everything. You need to wear a mask if you can in covered walkways for example tiger tunnel, but not all adhered to this. During the week, smaller groups and younger children and babies in prams, plenty of space around us. Staff were really helpful. We paid to do the giraffe experience (at 12pm so you will guarantee to see them at the platform then), and then they get fed at 1pm inside. We got discounted entry with that and it was well worth it, such incredible creatures and the girls could ask as many questions as they liked and the keeper was really friendly. We stopped at the shop on the way out but it was really overwhelming for my 4 year old, the Lorikeet Landing where you can pay £1 to feed the birds nectar has a smaller selection of cuddlies and so easier to make a choice! Have a great day! 🦒🐆🦓🦍🦧🐅

Recommended by The Frugal Family with children age 8 on Tue Oct 17 2017

It's great as there is so much to do for such a wide age range, they have spent some funding wins very wisely over the last 5 year, so if you haven't been for a while it's well worth another look. There are 4 outside play areas for a range of ages and a splash pad open during the Summer months, as well as a huge indoor soft play. The main features for us are the safe spaces to let the kids run wild, the play areas and the animals of course! We also like that we can take a picnic and there is indoor and outdoor tables to eat at. The toilets are very functional, but there are lots of them and baby change as well. We can spend all day there quite easily. The things that you need to be careful of are the cost of food and drinks if you eat there, the fish and chip place is probably the best value, and that you can't leave without going past the soft play or shop... We give our kids £2 (cost for members) each to spend on what they would like, some go for an ice cream, some the soft play and some in the shop.. mostly the soft play.