Going to the Zoo in Bristol

Bristol is one of the UK’s leading tourist destinations and a city that’s developing all the time. Home to the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, and another of Brunel’s greatest works, the SS Great Britain, it’s got plenty to keep the even the most demanding tourist satisfied.

If you’re staying at one of the city hotels, like that of the Holiday Inn Bristol Filton hotel then head up towards the Suspension Bridge and you will almost certainly pass the front door of another of Bristol’s tourist attractions, Bristol Zoo, which can legitimately claim to be one of the finest in Europe.

One of the great attractions of Bristol Zoo is that it’s so much more than just a zoo. There are 12 acres of gardens with 400 species and nine different animal houses, which will keep you occupied for as many hours as you can keep going. Established favourites are the Gorillas (which are generally fed around 12:30pm) and the seals, who come out to play a little bit later on in the day.

For those looking for something a little bit more active then ZooRopia should be on the list. If you’re not satisfied just looking at the animals, the Zoo’s remarkable rope course gives you the opportunity to swing side by side with the gibbons, gorillas and lemurs. Safety instructors strap you (or more likely your children) in, and they can swing, traverse, balance and shuffle their way through the 17 courses, getting a unique view on the wildlife, and expending all their excess energy at the same time!

Once you’re done with the animals, the Zoo gardens are a great place to relax on a sunny day as well as a place to see some of the more unusual trees, shrubs and plants from around the world. The Zoo gardens have been tended on the plot for nearly 170 years, so they’re well worth a visit in their own right.

Adult tickets are £15.50 for 2013. Kids under fourteen can enter for £9.50, and concessions are £13.50. ZooRopia tickets are £8 for adults and £7 for children (and definitely worth it) and if you plan a little bit ahead you can get discounted group tickets, and special offers online. If you’re visiting Bristol for just the day, you can get 2 for 1 offers with your First Great Western ticket as well.

Last of all, take a look at Wild About. Bristol Zoo works extremely hard at conservation and education, and Wild About is one of their most popular projects. The project, just 20 minutes outside of Bristol city centre (Junction 17 of the M5) aims to offer a bit of education, plenty of wood craft and a lot of fun, definitely worth a look.

For all the information you could ever need (and a lot more) check out the Zoo website.