There’s lots to maintain you by the seaside in Blackpool with youngsters, however as my Blackpool Zoo evaluation goes to indicate, it’s properly price tearing your self away from the seashore if your loved ones loves animals.
Solely round a 10-minute drive from the points of interest on the promenade, like Blackpool Sea Life Centre, the brand new Gruffalo Clubhouse and Blackpool Pleasure Seashore, you could possibly very simply spend the entire day at Blackpool Zoo with youngsters.
Not that shocking, once you suppose that the award-winning zoo close to Stanley Park is residence to over 1,350 animals from world wide – together with greater than 400 species – in addition to a number of play areas, a model new massive cat enclosure and one thing for dinosaur lovers too.
With solely about half a day to spend ourselves, we determined to move straight to the model new Massive Cat Home, which had opened only a week earlier than our go to in Might.
With every thing from gorillas and giraffes to penguins, sealions and a herd of Asian elephants, in addition to talks all through the day, the most important determination is the place to go first – however having picked up our map of Blackpool Zoo on the entrance, we couldn’t resist making lions and tigers our first cease.
The brand new Massive Cat Space is residence to 3 new lionesses Hira, Emma and Narla, who arrived from West Midland Safari Park, and the trio have been clearly very settled in already.
One was having a break from the mini heatwave, gnawing away on one thing as she lounged inside (we couldn’t work out what, however she was undoubtedly having fun with an excellent chew), whereas one other snoozed within the sunshine exterior.
Khari, Blackpool Zoo’s male lion, wasn’t in proof, though apparently he’s been very within the three new girls, eyeing them up via viewing panels – they’ll be step by step launched as a way to kind a brand new pleasure, which can be very thrilling to see.
We additionally noticed Alyona, the feminine Amur tiger, who was again residence once more and testing the upgrades whereas she had been away.
Or at the very least, I’m certain she had been – we noticed her mid nap, trying completely relaxed in a pleasant shady spot inside as properly!
There’ll be a male tiger becoming a member of her as a companion later this summer time too. And within the meantime, some interactive enjoyable even when the massive cats are cat napping, comparable to contact pads exhibiting simply how tough their tongues are.
One other of the zoo’s greatest points of interest is near the doorway, the herd of Asian elephants, together with Kate, one of many zoo’s oldest inhabitants, now joined by 4 different feminine elephants and a breeding male.
I’ll be trustworthy that I at all times really feel a bit uncomfortable about seeing elephants in a zoo, realizing how a lot house they need to have within the wild. However with so many threats to elephants within the wild, the zoo’s Undertaking Elephant conservation programme is turning into more and more necessary, to assist save these fantastic animals for future generations.
Their residence has been cleverly designed to present all of them the necessities elephants want, in addition to loads of stimulation and enrichment, even when they don’t have the house of their wild cousins.
And this emphasis on creative designs for the completely different habitats, all tailor-made for his or her particular inhabitants, is one thing you’ll see all through Blackpool Zoo.
Near the Lake Cafe, there are two islands on the centre of the lake itself for the troop of spider monkeys and gibbons which reside right here.
Human guests get an excellent look from all completely different angles, wandering alongside the paths across the lake, and getting nearer to some within the bushes.
We noticed fairly a number of down by the water’s edge, cooling down from the solar, together with a child taking part in and attempting to get its mom’s consideration whereas she tried to loosen up (I mentally had the soundtrack of ‘Mum! Mum! Mum!’ working via my head as I watched).
There’s an indoor space, and a few enjoyable balancing ropes for them to get from one half to a different, in addition to numerous pure climbing areas.
Following the trail spherical, we found a string of different monkeys in different enclosures too, together with De Brazza’s Monkey with its pointed white beard.
And in addition to the smaller monkeys, there are nice apes too – six Western Lowland Gorillas who have been all out within the sunshine on Gorilla Mountain.
Some have been taking part in on the wood climbing part on the centre, others strolling round in leisurely trend, however largely combing via the grass to see what they might discover.
They’re fascinating to look at, from the imposing Silverback to the youthful cheekier members of the troop.
And never far-off, Orangutan Outlook, which is residence to 4 orangutans – though solely two have been exterior throughout our go to.
They’d their very own intricate climbing space, with tunnels and rocks, wood beams and lengthy rubber ropes to stability and swing on, to not point out different enjoyable touches like balls.
Followers of Madagascar (or simply of lemurs) gained’t wish to miss Lemur Wooden, the walk-through Lemur enclosure, which is residence to 3 species of lemur together with ring-tailed lemurs.
All curled and intertwined collectively right into a furry heap, we determined to play ‘rely the tails’ to attempt to work out simply what number of there have been – getting the right reply of 15, in keeping with a member of employees close by (1 different was off elsewhere within the woodland).
Quite a lot of have been snoozing, however as quickly as a helicopter few over, each single furry head snapped to consideration to look at it.
Apparently they’ll usually begin hooting and calling to attempt to scare helicopters away, earlier than congratulating themselves when it flies off, in keeping with our educated supply – that appeared to be an excessive amount of effort that day, so they simply sat and glared fixedly at it till it buzzed away.
You’ll discover different fluffy creatures that youngsters (and adults) love, together with pink pandas, wallabies in one other stroll via enclosure, and capybara.
My daughter and I at all times suppose they appear a bit like overgrown guinea pigs, with a faintly disapproving expression on their faces!
However that basically is just the start. Elsewhere you could possibly head to Giraffe Heights, together with an opportunity to climb up greater than even these amazingly tall animals, and look down onto them from the wood viewing platforms.
The completely different viewing platforms across the zoo usually included ramps in addition to steps, perfect for those who’re pushing a buggy or in search of accessible viewpoints. Plus it meant you had an opportunity to see the animals from an entire string of various angles, each indoors and outside, from low down and on excessive.
Not forgetting the camels, reindeer, tapir and wolves, which have been prowling round their woodland residence, plus alpacas, llamas and bongos too.
Away from dry land, there are various sea creatures as properly, together with penguins swimming round.
It’s properly price setting a reminder to take a look at the zoo talks and feeding time occasions as you discover, together with twice-daily for the penguins, that are at all times well-liked and so enjoyable to look at.
We managed to time our go to to the Lively Oceans enviornment for the ocean lion demonstration – a mixture of talks, explaining extra in regards to the sea lions, and exhibiting us among the enrichment video games to maintain their searching abilities sharp.
The ocean lions appeared to be having a whale of a time, leaping, swimming and customarily exhibiting off some spectacular abilities within the water (for a number of tasty rewards).
It’s properly price getting there early for an excellent seat and consider: we occurred to get fortunate and located a viewpoint around the facet, because the seating space was utterly full.
We had a fair higher view of the otters – scampering and swimming round their enclosure so quick that half my pictures are a brown blur.
The little bevy of otters barely stopped transferring, trotting throughout logs to the island on the centre of their residence, vanishing into little holes and tunnels, darting out and diving into the water, chasing tails, and customarily dashing round after one another whereas squeaking away nineteen to the dozen.
And naturally, there are birds too – largely break up between a number of completely different areas comparable to World of Wings and Rainbow Landings, the place you may spot something from parrots and lorikeets to waterfowl and songbirds.
Plus there are owls to search out, flamingos standing elegantly by their pool, pelicans and different greater birds comparable to rhea and ostrich.
And together with the unique animals, the youngsters’s farm lets little ones stroke and feed pleasant farmyard animals, comparable to ponies, goats, donkeys and rabbits.
Plus for those who want a break from all of the improbable animals, there’s a play space near the orangutans for teenagers to get impressed by the climbing and swinging of the monkeys and apes they’ve seen (plus the same old enjoyable comparable to slides).
Once we visited, there was an enormous bouncy fort arrange and trampoline swings to fling them excessive into the air as properly.
If you need extra playtime, otherwise you’re visiting Blackpool Zoo within the rain, toddlers and youthful youngsters may also love working across the zoo’s big three-level Playbarn, with large slides, ball cannons, ball showers, and extra.
It’s subsequent to the principle zoo and there’s a separate entry payment, however it’s discounted for those who’ve visited the zoo (you might want to present a receipt although).
There are even prehistoric creatures to search out at Blackpool Zoo (properly, sort of), with the Dino safari to walk via.
Sound results additionally assist carry the prehistoric world alive – do be careful for the dinosaur spraying water over unsuspecting guests too. There’s numerous info on the completely different dinosaurs you may spot as you discover too.
Dinosaurs plus animals is at all times a winner for those who’re in Blackpool with toddlers and preschoolers – however there have been loads of older youngsters having enjoyable on this part too!
Three and a half hours after we arrived, we needed to go away… having solely nearly seen every thing. However may simply have stayed to discover extra for the second half of the day if we’d had the possibility.
For extra of the perfect issues to do in Blackpool with youngsters, take a look at my high picks, in addition to my critiques of different Blackpool household points of interest
Blackpool Zoo evaluation: Have to know
There’s a reduction for those who prebook tickets, which could be purchased as much as 11pm the evening earlier than, and it’s properly price shopping for upfront at busy instances. Costs fluctuate relying on the date, so test the Blackpool Zoo web site for extra particulars.
You may as well e-book a VIP animal expertise, together with behind-the-scenes excursions, in addition to Keeper Programs, with completely different choices for age 8+ for those who’re in search of an additional particular household day trip.
Tickets to the Blackpool Zoo Playbarn price £5 per baby, decreased to £2.50 for zoo guests and members, and for infants below one yr previous.
Parking prices £3 per day and could be paid in money on the machines or by card. I like to recommend bringing the best change for those who can although, as there was just one individual taking card funds after we visited and a really lengthy queue to take action.
Bus 22 additionally hyperlinks Blackpool Zoo with Stanley Park, the Mannequin Village and the town centre, together with Blackpool Tower, from Easter to Autumn
There are a number of locations to get meals at Blackpool Zoo, together with a espresso store by the doorway, Nawala Road Meals promoting espresso, ice cream and sizzling meals simply earlier than you get to Dino Safari, different seasonal kiosks inside and the principle Lakeview Cafe.
There are a number of completely different meals choices contained in the Lakeview Cafe together with a brand new department of Subway – though anticipate in every single place to be busy throughout college holidays and peak instances – plus tables inside and outside.
You may as well carry a picnic, plus if you’re driving, you may go away issues in your automobile to gather throughout your go to.
There are sometimes particular kids’s trails at Blackpool Zoo throughout college holidays, however it’s also possible to decide up a free map on the entrance, and create your personal.
There’s additionally a present store on the exit, though you may keep away from it if you would like (it does have some beautiful souvenirs, however a little bit of a aid for those who’re flagging below pester energy).
There are bogs dotted across the zoo, all of which embody child change services (in each males’s and ladies’s bogs, properly completed Blackpool Zoo), together with by the principle entrance, the Lake View Cafe and by the play space.
You’re additionally strolling distance from Stanley Park (or there’s a free automobile park close to the West Park Drive entrance) together with Blackpool Mannequin Village.
For extra concepts of the perfect issues to do in Blackpool with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
Photos copyright MummyTravels
