Overview

Easy access, happy animals, would visit again.

Transport & Parking

We did not use it, but there is a bus stop at the zoo. There are a few disabled parking spaces near the entrance, but these filled up quickly. My advice is get to the zoo early if parking in a disabled space is important to you. Be warned, everyone pays for parking. When we went everyone had to pay £2.50 to park. There is just the one price for parking & it is for all day. There is a pay machine at the end of the row of disabled parking spaces but it wasn't obvious. I am in two minds about paying for parking. We have got very used to parking for free with the Blue Badge, but signs in the car park say the money is used to care for the animals. I gave 3 out of 5 possible stars because of the parking charge & I didn't feel there were enough disabled parking spaces.

Access

The zoo seems to have had a makeover. We had access to everywhere with the wheelchair. The ramps to the elephant house, giraffe house & orangutan house were quite steep. I was pushing a wheelchair & it required some effort. A powered chair would be fine, but if you are propelling your own wheelchair & don't have a pusher to help, I think it might be a struggle. A lift would have made it easier, but I appreciate costs have to be considered. We found access to the main cafe & cafe terrace easy. We used the disabled/baby change room at the back of the cafe. The loo area was large, clean & had grab handles. The little train was not running, but I couldn't see an adapted carriage.

Toilets

We used the disabled/baby change room at the back of the main cafe. It was roomy, clean & had grab handles.

Staff

Everyone was friendly. The young man who sold us our tickets was kind & welcoming.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The zoo was better than I was expecting, clearly a considerable amount of money has been spent on this attraction. All the animals looked well cared for. I know that people have different opinions about zoos, but I had no concerns about the welfare of the animals here. We visited on a sunny day, if it was a wet day be aware that like most zoos most of it is outside. There are a few small huts dotted around, but if it is raining you may get wet.