♥♥ Thanks for the r/r/c & GB messages, getting round to you all slowly, will catch up w...
♥♥ Thanks for the r/r/c & GB messages, getting round to you all slowly, will catch up with you all soon. Computer playing up ..My mum's not too bad .Oldest Daughter and youngest grandson quite poorly now. Heather xx ♥♥
Member since:30.09.2003
Reviews:30
Members who trust:88
I have decided to edit a few of my older reviews, starting with this one and add a few photos... now I have my new "all in one Printer/ScannerCoppier up and running" I am adding one of two Gransons with the Camel's bums........
As you probably I remember this Summer (2003) was one not too be forgotten, I always take my Three Grandsons age 14, 10 and three, somewhere nice in the holidays, well this one was fast drawing to an end, the two older boys were due to go back to School in less than a week, and so far I had done nothing with them.
So late August my Oldest Daughter and I decided to take them to………..
We bundled the three boys into the car, plus a large cool box full of drinks, rolls, fruit, crisps, salad, cakes, pork pies, chicken legs, and not forgetting the CHOCOLATE! And off we set, now Cotswold Wildlife Park is actually in Burford, Oxfordshire, just on the Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire border in the beautiful Cotswolds. 17 miles North East of Swindon.
As we live in Buckinghamshire, it is about a 40 mins drive from us, so knowing that it opens at 10 am we never left home until 9.30, followed the road to Oxford, then headed toward Cheltenham Glocester, here Burford was sign posted, and the rest of the way was all sign posted for COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK.
We
arrived at the Park at 10.15 with three very excited children in the car, as you arrive and pull in you are Greeted and ushered into a very large parking area, with a kiosk on the right, you pay while still in the car, we then parked up, left the Picnic in the boot, and first stop the toilets.
Let me tell you a little more about the Park itself before we go any further, it is not a Zoo, it is not a Theme Park, and it is much, much, more than a wildlife Park alone. There is so much to do and see for all ages.
Large Mammals Enclosure Walk through area with small Mammals Tropical House Reptile house Insect house Lake Large Manor house Adventure Playground Picnic area Exotic walled garden Children’s Farm Narrow-Gauge-Railway Restaurant with inside/outside seating Aviary Ice cream/Burger/hot/cold drinks kiosks
Well with three excited Boys in tow, we decided to follow one of the many well sign posted paths around the Park anti clockwise, and soon came to the Large Mammals enclosures, housing, Rhino’s, Zebra and Camels. This is where we stop to take a photo of the Boys, right in front of the Camels, who are very close and looking toward us, have you ever tried to take a picture of three excited children, trying to get them to all stand still, look at the camera, and smile at the same time? Well its pretty difficult, I had the 6 Camels faces and three boys all in focus, went to click quickly before any of the boys moved, but blow me the 3 year old shot off in one direction (with my Daughter in hot persuit) and all 6 of the Camels did about turn at the same time, and all I got was 2 stunned looking boys, and 6 Camel bums (much to the delight of the three year old who fell about laughing) as one Camel deposited a large poo! in front of us.
We decided to move on! to the Big Cats, most of these were sleeping in the hot August sun, but we did get quite agood look at them, the 10 year old was very impressed! I was a bit surprised there were no Elephant’s or Giraffes, but then this wasn’t a Zoo was it? Around the corner we come to the walk through area, which houses the smaller mammals, Marmots, Penguins, and a few others, we just missed the keeper feeding the Penguins 11am, so decided to move on and come back at 4pm for the next feed.
Us Girls are feeling quite tired and peckish by now, the boys seem to have a never ending supply of energy, so I take them to play at the adventure Playground, while my Daughter fetches the Picnic from the car. I find a nice place to sit, in full view of the older Children’s play area, right next to the smaller Children’s park. Picnic arrives we eat while the Boys play, the oldest Grandson takes younger ones to wash hands in nearby toilets and wash room, which I must say were kept very clean and tidy.
once we have all eaten and drunk as much as we can, we move on to the Reptile house, through the Beautiful walled garden with the most magnificent Shrubs, Trees and Flowers, the 14 year old in his element, as he loves Gardening (like his Nan) we arrive at the Reptile house, there is a nice selection of Boa’s, Python’s, Iguana’s, Gecko’s, Chameleon’s and pretty little green tree Frogs, from here we decide to look at the insect house, Daughter not to impressed with this but 10 year old loving every minute, it’s a bit dark and humid in here, loads of giant ants, there are also Bats, Centipedes, Moths, Butterflies, big hairy spiders and ....What’s this? Big Smelly Dung Beetles, “ugh pipes up the three year old, It stinks like poo” we make an exit into the fresh air!
I am really worn out now, so the little flagging three year old and his Nan decide to have a ride on “BELLA” the little Narrow-Gauge-Train, it goes all around the park for about 20 mins, you have to pay for this, but at £1.00 for Adults and 50p for Children I thought this was very reasonable, while we are taking in some of the beautiful scenery, the others have gone off to do Brass rubbings in the Manor House, and look around it, we meet up 40 mins later.
Now we are off to the Children’s Farm but we are going through the, Aviary’s first to see the wonderful Red/Gold and Blue/Gold Macaws, Cockatoo’s, and smaller exotic birds, and into the Birds of prey area, they have Flight demo’s at the park during the Summer, there are some pretty little Owls, Kestrels, Golden Eagles and plenty more, we are almost at the Farm now.
This is nice, as you can enter the huge enclosure, and interact with the animals, Sheep, Goats of all shapes and sizes, including a week old baby, (the three year old wanted to keep Kissing it) there are also Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Ducks, and Chickens, next to this is another enclosure, (which you are NOT allowed to enter)this houses Pigs of all description, and nearby Separate fields with Ponies and Donkeys. On leaving the farm area, I was pleasantly surprised to see there was a nice (hand wash/dry area) with a little sign that read “please wash your hands after touching the Animals” normally we take "wet wipes" with us to places like this.
We visit the Tropical house next, this is full of exotic plants and trees, including Huge Banana trees, its rather hot in here so after a while the two younger boys and I decide to go and buy Ice lollies for us all.
We have had a lovely day, just time now to see the Penguins have their tea, this really tickles the 3 year old, he’s never seen anything quite like this, Penguins pinching fish out the keepers bucket, while his head is turned “are they going to do a poo” he says! Do all three year old boys have this fascination for Poo? I don’t remember the other two being like this
Off to find the car, and home we go.
Before I go now though I would like to tell you a few more thing about the Park.
OPEN EVERY DAY ~~~~ Except .Christmas day
OPENING TIMES ~~~~ 10 am 6 pm
PRICES ~~~ £7.50 Adults. £5.00 Children and OAP. Free for under 3 year olds.
Now I thought this was very reasonable, it cost us £25.00 in all for a great day out, my Daughter and I went halves and paid £12.50 each, we did actually get the little one in free, (we said he was nearly 3) and gagged him quick before he had chance to say “I’m already 3” .. No I'm only joking.
There are Excellent Disabled facilities, and Wheelchair access to all enclosures.
Penguin feeding times are 11 am and 4 pm daily except Fridays, (I hope they still get fed)
During the Summer there are talks and showings of the Birds of Prey in flight.
Coach parties are welcome, also parties of School children.
For more info visit www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Oct 25th, 2003
(Mar 11th, 2004)
exceptional by (5%):
very helpful by (95%):
