Schools out for summer, so there’s no better time to be heading off for an animal encounter at one of the many great zoos or farms in the region. We’ve rounded up a great range of places to add to your summer bucket list, from the truly unusual through to the cheap and cheerful. Why not visit them all?
Head on down to the Suffolk Punch Trust (http://suffolkpunchtrust.org/) to keep the kids happy with a fully packed day of activities including meeting their resident mares, stallions and foals, visiting their rare breed pigs, sheep, cattle and chickens, going for a walk in their wonderful grounds or taking part in one of their stable demonstrations. There’s plenty going on during the summer, so check the website for details of other activities. You’ll have a great day and be helping the trust to continue with their work to breed and preserve the Suffolk Punch horse.
Drove Orchards (https://droveorchards.com/) in Thornham in Norfolk will be hosting its third annual ‘Go Wild at Drove’ event with the Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association on Saturday 4 August 2018, 10am-4pm. They’ll be celebrating local wildlife and offering visitors the chance to get up close and see the amazing variety of birds, insects and plants at Drove Orchards. There’ll be a chance to enjoy close encounters with birds, moths, butterflies, and caterpillars. Guided walks around the orchards and around the wildlife-rich areas of the farm will take place during the day, and there will be lots of information and activities available at the big barn. There will also be indoor and outdoor displays, activities and goodie bags for kids.
Visit the Ventura Wildlife Park (http://venturawildlife.co.uk/zoogardens/) in Great Amwell in Hertfordshire for some animal experiences. The park is a community based wildlife park and home to a variety of animals including zebra, emu, wallaby, red kangaroo, reindeer, lorikeets, lemurs, snakes and lizards, Madagascar’s largest carnivore…the fossa and the UK’s only Cuban Hutia. There are a range of animal experiences taking place throughout the day, with interactive animal encounters taking place throughout the day.
Bedfordshire’s Woodside Farm (https://www.woodsidefarm.co.uk/) is a great place for kids and adults to get up close to the wildlife when on a budget. (£7.50 per adult and child. Under 2s free or go off peak for £5.50). Meet baby ducklings, bunnies, giant lizards and even a 6ft boa constrictor alongside pigs, goats and more. There’s also a range of funfair rides, a tractor ride, crazy golf and even a soft play centre…so plenty to keep you occupied.
Shepreth Wildlife Park (https://sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk/) in Cambridgeshire has a great variety of animals sure to excite every little one, especially their tiger! Visit on 4 August for its Tiger Day or alternatively pop along on 27 August for the Hedgehog Day. There are plenty of activities throughout the day including talks, lemur feeding, animal encounters, nocturnal house feeding and much more.
Lee Valley Park Farm (lvfarms.co.uk) in Essex has a huge array of events taking place over the summer which are perfect for a day out with the family. Hawking Around (21 July – 3 August) focuses on all things birds in particular majestic birds of prey. Horse Play (4 August – 17 August) features live donkey and pony shows, giving visitors the opportunity to groom and ride as well as a celebration of the mythical unicorn. Critter Crazy (18 August – 2 September) will celebrate everything from snakes and insects to rabbits and reptiles, giving visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the animals.
With so many places to visit, just make sure you set aside enough time to visit them all!
