There’s lots to maintain you by the seaside in Blackpool with youngsters, however as my Blackpool Zoo evaluation goes to point out, it’s properly value 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 Seaside, you possibly can very simply spend the entire day at Blackpool Zoo with youngsters.
Not that shocking, while you assume 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 large cat enclosure and one thing for dinosaur lovers too.
With solely about half a day to spend ourselves, we determined to go 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 largest resolution 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 positively 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 by viewing panels – they’ll be regularly launched so as to type a brand new satisfaction, which will probably be very thrilling to see.
We additionally noticed Alyona, the feminine Amur tiger, who was again residence once more and trying out the upgrades whereas she had been away.
Or not less than, I’m positive she had been – we noticed her mid nap, wanting 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 large cats are cat napping, akin 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 sincere that I all the time really feel a bit uncomfortable about seeing elephants in a zoo, realizing how a lot area they need to have within the wild. However with so many threats to elephants within the wild, the zoo’s Venture Elephant conservation programme is turning into more and more essential, to assist save these great 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 area of their wild cousins.
And this emphasis on creative designs for the totally 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 totally different angles, wandering alongside the paths across the lake, and getting nearer to some within the timber.
We noticed fairly a couple of down by the water’s edge, cooling down from the solar, together with a child taking part in and making an attempt to get its mom’s consideration whereas she tried to loosen up (I mentally had the soundtrack of ‘Mum! Mum! Mum!’ working by 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 plenty of 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 picket climbing part on the centre, others strolling round in leisurely trend, however largely combing by 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.
That they had their very own intricate climbing space, with tunnels and rocks, picket 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) received’t need 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 ‘depend the tails’ to attempt to work out simply what number of there have been – getting the right reply of 15, based on 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 typically begin hooting and calling to attempt to scare helicopters away, earlier than congratulating themselves when it flies off, based on our educated supply – that gave the impression to be an excessive amount of effort that day, so they only sat and glared fixedly at it till it buzzed away.
You’ll discover different fluffy creatures that youngsters (and adults) love, together with purple pandas, wallabies in one other stroll by enclosure, and capybara.
My daughter and I all the time assume they appear a bit like overgrown guinea pigs, with a faintly disapproving expression on their faces!
However that basically is barely the start. Elsewhere you possibly can head to Giraffe Heights, together with an opportunity to climb up larger than even these amazingly tall animals, and look down onto them from the picket viewing platforms.
The totally different viewing platforms across the zoo typically included ramps in addition to steps, best should you’re pushing a buggy or searching for accessible viewpoints. Plus it meant you had an opportunity to see the animals from a complete string of various angles, each indoors and outdoor, 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 value 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 all the time widespread and so enjoyable to look at.
We managed to time our go to to the Energetic Oceans enviornment for the ocean lion demonstration – a mixture of talks, explaining extra concerning the sea lions, and exhibiting us a few of the enrichment video games to maintain their searching abilities sharp.
The ocean lions gave the impression to be having a whale of a time, leaping, swimming and usually exhibiting off some spectacular abilities within the water (for a couple of tasty rewards).
It’s properly value getting there early for an excellent seat and examine: 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 shifting, 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 usually dashing round after one another whereas squeaking away nineteen to the dozen.
And naturally, there are birds too – largely cut up between a couple of totally different areas akin to World of Wings and Rainbow Landings, the place you’ll be able to spot something from parrots and lorikeets to waterfowl and songbirds.
Plus there are owls to seek out, flamingos standing elegantly by their pool, pelicans and different larger birds akin to rhea and ostrich.
And together with the unique animals, the youngsters’s farm lets little ones stroke and feed pleasant farmyard animals, akin to ponies, goats, donkeys and rabbits.
Plus should you want a break from all of the implausible 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 akin to slides).
Once we visited, there was an enormous bouncy fort arrange and trampoline swings to fling them excessive into the air as properly.
In order for you extra playtime, otherwise you’re visiting Blackpool Zoo within the rain, toddlers and youthful youngsters can even 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, but it surely’s discounted should you’ve visited the zoo (you must present a receipt although).
There are even prehistoric creatures to seek out at Blackpool Zoo (properly, sort of), with the Dino safari to walk by.
Sound results additionally assist deliver the prehistoric world alive – do be careful for the dinosaur spraying water over unsuspecting guests too. There’s plenty of info on the totally different dinosaurs you’ll be able to spot as you discover too.
Dinosaurs plus animals is all the time a winner should you’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 might simply have stayed to discover extra for the second half of the day if we’d had the possibility.
For extra of one of the best issues to do in Blackpool with youngsters, try my high picks, in addition to my evaluations of different Blackpool household points of interest
Blackpool Zoo evaluation: Have to know
There’s a reduction should you prebook tickets, which will be purchased as much as 11pm the night time earlier than, and it’s properly value shopping for prematurely at busy occasions. Costs differ relying on the date, so examine the Blackpool Zoo web site for extra particulars.
You too can ebook a VIP animal expertise, together with behind-the-scenes excursions, in addition to Keeper Programs, with totally different choices for age 8+ should you’re searching for an additional particular household day trip.
Tickets to the Blackpool Zoo Playbarn price £5 per baby, lowered to £2.50 for zoo guests and members, and for infants underneath one 12 months outdated.
Parking prices £3 per day and will be paid in money on the machines or by card. I like to recommend bringing the appropriate change should you can although, as there was just one individual taking card funds once 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 scorching meals simply earlier than you get to Dino Safari, different seasonal kiosks inside and the principle Lakeview Cafe.
There are a number of totally different meals choices contained in the Lakeview Cafe together with a brand new department of Subway – though count on in every single place to be busy throughout college holidays and peak occasions – plus tables inside and outdoor.
You too can deliver a picnic, plus if you’re driving, you’ll be able to go away issues in your automotive to gather throughout your go to.
There are sometimes particular youngsters’s trails at Blackpool Zoo throughout college holidays, however you may as well decide up a free map on the entrance, and create your individual.
There’s additionally a present store on the exit, though you’ll be able to keep away from it if you’d like (it does have some pretty souvenirs, however a little bit of a aid should you’re flagging underneath pester energy).
There are bogs dotted across the zoo, all of which embody child change amenities (in each males’s and ladies’s bogs, properly performed 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 automotive park close to the West Park Drive entrance) together with Blackpool Mannequin Village.
For extra concepts of one of the best issues to do in Blackpool with youngsters, try my high picks
Photos copyright MummyTravels
