Family / Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
With the kids in Bristol: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
People of all ages love animals, so the fact that there are over 100 species of them, big and little, to discover in Wraxall is a real treat when it comes to a family day out. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is well known for being a fantastic attraction, and as we made the short journey there from the centre of Bristol, my daughter’s excitement was infectious.
We parked up and then made the little walk to the entrance, my seven-year-old busy telling us about all the animals she hoped to see and chattering away about making sure she had time in the outdoor, as well as the indoor, adventure playground. Having been once before, when she was only five years old, it was surprising that she could remember this place so well – but then that proves how memorable it is as an attraction.
The zoo farm is full of fun interactive activities for kids, alongside the excitement of seeing the animals
The first thing we saw when we went through the ticket booth was the entrance to the food barn (where we decided we would grab our ice-creams from later) and then my little one pulled us to the left, her eyes lit up with glee, when she saw the zip-wire. She yelled with joy when we let her have a go on it, whilst myself and my husband consulted our map and planned out the next few hours.
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The first creatures we wanted to see were the meerkats as they are a family favourite due to their inquisitive, friendly nature. Their enclosure is divided by a walkway that forms the ceiling of a tunnel for the animals to go through, and as we walked over it, two meerkats who had been playing with each other and rolling on their backs came straight up to us and tapped my husband’s trainer through the bars.
It was a wonderful, amusing and memorable moment, and to be so close to animals really is priceless. There are zookeeper experiences available too if you want to get even more involved with the animals.
Of the zoo’s 100+ species’, Meerkats are a firm family favourite
After our meerkat encounter, we then moved onto the reptile house (walking very quickly past the tarantula enclosure), passed by the variety of monkeys and headed straight into the soft play barn area, which is also a refreshment stop. As my daughter let off even more steam (where do kids get their energy from?) we had a drink, grateful to be out of the blazing sun. We were struck by how clean the whole of the farm was, and a constant flow of staff walking about made sure that everything was as it should be.
After some time indoors, we decided we should explore the big animals outside – including rhinos, giraffes and bears – and it was amazing to get so close to them. We watched the lion for at least half an hour as it lay right next to the bars of its cage, seeking some shade from a nearby tree. We talked about how majestic big cats, though had to dissuade her from trying to stroke it.
The elephants can cool off in the water at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
The African elephants were one of my all-time favourites. These large mammals have always fascinated me because I wonder how such huge beasts are still so graceful and peaceful. The elephants at this zoo farm are so beautiful and were happily hosing themselves down with water by using their trunks and I could stayed and gazed at them for hours.
As we then made our way back towards the entrance and let my daughter have a bounce on one of the free trampolines before we finally left the park, we talked about what a lovely day we had experienced. My child was asking when we could go back even before we left the gates and the day had put a smile on all of our faces.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has a really friendly vibe about the whole place and we all felt well catered to when we were there. We will definitely be coming back when we become a family of four later this year – the baby might not know what is going on, but what a great first exposure to some magnificent animals that we share our planet with.
Tickets to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm cost £18 for adults and £12.60 for children. Under-2s go free. All of the keeper talks and shows are included in your ticket price except ‘brief encounters’ with the bears or giraffes (£20, bookable at the ticket office).
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