Colchester Zoo

Advantages: A great zoo | Large enclosures | Lots of baby animals
Disadvantages: Hard to get to using public transport | Very hilly

...decided that a visit to Colchester Zoo was in order, so as I could only manage two of them at a time (one is in a wheelchair and another has behavioural difficulties) I've made two trips to the zoo this week and now I'm going to tell you all about it. ---Getting There--- We live in Basildon, and although it's only 35 miles away, we had to use a total of four buses in each direction, this means that for us at least it's not very easy to get to. ...
...between Colchester and the zoo only runs hourly, and we always seem to just miss it and have to spend 50 minutes waiting for the next one. I've never travelled to the zoo by any other means but there are comprehensive instructions on all methods of transport on the website, including rail, road and bus. You can even get step by step printable instructions (and a map) for your road journey by simply entering the postcode you will be starting from. ... Read review

Advantages: Animals and visitors are well catered for.
Disadvantages: Hilly location is a problem for some.

I first went to Colchester Zoo about 30 years ago and hated it. About 15 years ago I went for a second time due to pressure from the young daughter I then had. By then it had changed owners and improved modesty for the animals and visitors. The improvements continued, and I now think it is a good place for animals and humans alike. I know some people dislike all zoos, but keeping some animals in captivity is the only way of keeping some species safe ...
...the A12 just south of Colchester town centre, and take the A1124. There are brown zoo signs with a white elephant on from this junction and a large free car park at the zoo. There is a bus service from Colchester town centre which the zoo website says runs hourly. If you don't drive try your local coach tour operator who does day trips. If you live in the south east of England and they don't already go to Colchester Zoo you could suggest it to ... Read review

Advantages: Animals well cared for, nice enclosures, lots for kids..
Disadvantages: Very hilly

...of my family live in Colchester and when I come to visit, it usually envolves a trip to Colchester Zoo! The Zoo is well sign posted on the areas surrounding the zoo and it has a very large car park with a toilet block (good if the kids are desperate after a long car journey). In the reception area are several kiosks in which tickets are sold, priced at: Adults - £13.99 Child - £7.75 (3-14 yrs) Senior Citizen - £9.99 (Over 60s) Disabled Child - £4.99 ...
...carer admitted per disabled person). Also in the reception area are two gift shops. The zoo is divided into several zones, the first being the 'Beginning Zone'. This contains a large outdoors childrens play area, a fast food restaurant and toilets with baby changing facilities. The first enclosure you will see is 'Wilds of Asia' which houses the Orangutans (their enclosure is very small for two very large animals, a new enclosure is currently being ... Read review

Advantages: Erm, There are Animals to See
Disadvantages: Steep Hills, Lack of Cash Points & Water, Too Spread Out...

LOCATION Colchester Zoo is located just outside of Colchester off the A1124 and is easy to find thanks to the little brown zoo signs on every twist and turn from the main road right up to the entrance. For help with directions, visit www.multimap.com and type in the postcode CO3 0SL or visit www.theaa.com/travelwatch/plannermain.jsp. ADMISSION CHARGES AND OPENING TIMES Prices aren't cheap at £13.99 for an adult and £7.75 for a child 3 - 14yrs ...
...visitor information see www.colchester-zoo.com. COLCHESTER ZOO I visited for the first time last week with my one year old on a swelteringly hot day. As far as zoos go in my experience, this is a pretty big place although it's worth noting that this is largely due to the irregular kidney bean shape of the grounds. In many ways I found it like something you'd expect to find in Disney World, Florida only without the water fountains and cash machines. ... Read review

Advantages: Lots of animals, large enclosures
Disadvantages: Very hilly, lots of walking

...a family day out at Colchester Zoo. Getting there was quite simple seeing as I only live 5 minutes away but their website has some good directions whether you go by car or bus etc. The car park is quite big so there are plenty of spaces, even when it’s busy. ***Admission*** We paid £13.99 per adult and £7.75 per child (3-14yrs). Under 3’s get in free and there are cheaper prices for senior citizens and disabled etc. ***Inside*** Once we’d paid ...
...This showed a large map of the zoo on one side and lots of info about feeding times and donations on the other. The map shows how the zoo is split into 7 zones, and on each zone where there are places to eat, toilets, baby changing etc. ***Beginning Zone*** This is the start and finish of the recommended route around the zoo. The main attraction here is Wilds of Asia, where the newly acquired orang utang is on show. Also in this area is a children’s ... Read review

Advantages: Can do what you want in the town
Disadvantages: Old fashioned if you dont like that

...Colchester is a fairly large town in the east of england and is situated in Essex which is why some people may overlook what the town might actually offer. Colchester is officially the oldest recorded town in Essex and a lage amount of the town is based around this with features from roman times such as Colchester Castle and some of the roman style houses. Colchester is basically on a hill and the land is up and town all over the town centre area. However, Colchester does offer what most large cities do with large high street shops around. Nearly everything you might want in terms of shopping can be found in Colchester with all major stores having a location. The outskirts of the town are quite scenic and on the outskirts there is Colchester Zoo which I think is one of the best Zoo's in the area. If you pay a visit to Colchester you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: World remowned Zoo
Disadvantages: Colchester Zoo better!

...San Diego zoo is reputed to be amongst the best, if not the best zoo in the world - but I beg to differ. I mention in my title that Colchester Zoo is better. I truly believe this for a number of reasons. The enclosures for a start. I was most disappointed with the size of some of the enclosures at SD Zoo. For example, the lion enclosure, whilst fantastic at not having to peer through glass or behind wire, was very small, yet interesting. The lions were situated on a reasonably steep incline, with mostly cave structures and little running space. Compare this to Colchester Zoo which has a savannah type enclosure, with savannah grass and trees in place, plus plenty of running space for these majestic animals. Most of the enclosures, in my view, were a little on the small side, although wonderfully structured to offer maximum photo... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Welcome to Essex, Please Drive Carefully
Disadvantages: Thank You for Visiting Essex, Please Come Again

...:- ◄Colchester Zoo► I remember visiting Colchester Zoo on School trips and weekend jaunts with my family when I was younger, each trip a memorable and enjoyable occasion with fun and education in rich abundance. Colchester Zoo is said to have amongst the best big cat and primate collections in Europe, Snow Leopards and white tigers are present and are part of EEP and ESB breeding programmes (European Endangered species breeding programmes). Humboldt’s Penguins can be seen at play in the award winning “Penguin Shores” enclosure, while another award winning enclosure, the “Kingdom of the wild” is home to Giraffes, Rhinos and Pygmy Hippos. Colchester Zoo has also recently added Interactive discovery centres as well as an undercover picnic area to cope with the unpredictable British weather. The Zoo is open all year around apart from... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful