Nearly on red. Please keep reading. Off on holiday on Saturday to Thorpe Park Holiday Park at Cle...
Nearly on red. Please keep reading. Off on holiday on Saturday to Thorpe Park Holiday Park at Cleethorpes.
Member since:10.09.2002
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I lived in Sussex for many years and remember fondly the school trips which took me to Drusillas Park.
~Location~ Located amidst the stunning scenery of the Cuckmere Valley at Alfriston in East Sussex on the A27, about 7 miles from Eastbourne and 12 miles from Brighton, Drusillas really is a fantastic zoo for young children. Unfortunately due to problems with the hiways agency there are not many signs showing the way but if you head to Alfriston you should have no problem finding the zoo from there.
~The Zoo~ There are hundreds of fascinating creatures to see but that is only a small part of the fun as the zoo also incorporates a Playland full of slides, swings, climbing frames and ropes allowing your little animals to enjoy their whole day. Having visited recently with my three small children I can easily understand why Drusillas was recently voted South East England's number one attraction.
Your day begins with a tour of the wonderful zoo - regarded as the best small zoo in the country, a reputation earned by the zoo for creating an animal and child friendly environment. The innovative design of low fencing enables children to get nose to nose with nature by meeting the animals face to face. Walking in a clockwise circular direction to avoid missing anything, you walk through covered walkways and can easily see all the animals through panes of glass. There are low level panels to enable toddlers in pushchairs to be able to see so they too do not miss out.
There are many species of animals at Drusillas including Meerkats, Otters, Monkey‘s, Lemurs, Penguins, Prairie Dogs, Beavers, Bats, Crocodiles,
Snakes, Farmyard animals, Pets, Flamingos, all in their own environment.
The Farmyard animals including pigs, cows, chickens, ponies and sheep can all be touched. In both the Farmyard and Pet World there is an opportunity for direct contact with the animals and hand washing facilities are available to enable everyone to enjoy touching them.
Pet World was opened in 1999 and was designed to show the changing and varied face of pet care. As well as the familiar pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits, Pet World is also host to a few of the rising number of exotic species that can be brought in the pet trade. All the animals are kept in enclosures similar to those in which they would be kept in the home and information on diet, grooming, heating etc is attached to each to enable prospective owners and idea as to what goes into looking after each one. Anyone considering a new pet should definitely pop down to Pet World first - you might change your mind and go for a cockroach after all!
Millennium Bugs - all those wonderful creepy crawlies under one roof. With ants, spiders, cockroaches, locusts what more could your child ask for.
Walking along specially designed walkways you pass through the Zoolympics - how high can you jump compared to…. How fast can you run compared to… The children all like to try and I am greatly relieved to see I am not as heavy as….!!
Crawl through a tunnel and pop your head up into a transparent bubble looking into the meerkats enclosure. Slide down the ant hill slide, look through the special glass penguin enclosure and watch them above and below the water.
Like with other zoos there is plenty of opportunity for the children to stop and watch feeding time with the Squirrel Monkeys, Penguins, Otters, Sulawesi Macaques (monkey), Mongooses, Coatis all having set feeding times.
Once you have walked around the zoo, cross the railway bridge and join in all the fun at the specially designed play area for those aged 12 and under. Climb the fire engine complete with slide, there are monkey bars, water fountains, merry go rounds and swings to suit most age groups. an amazing outdoor climbing area called monkey kingdom with rope bridges, tunnels and slides, join in the penguin plunge - a large inflatable slide, vertical limit enables your child to have a go at rock climbing. The new Monkey Kingdom with rope bridges, turrets, tunnels, slides is great for slightly older children.
In one corner is an indoor toddler village with ball pit and small miniature climbing buildings, but in hot weather these can get very warm. and under 6’s outdoor play area with trampolines, slides, rocking animals, roundabouts, swings all age groups have been accounted for.
~Food and Drink~ There is a large number of picnic tables available so there is nothing to stop you taking your own food. However there are also two restaurants Explorers Restaurant and Oasis Café offering set sit down meals, snack meals and picnic boxes in both adult and child size portions. A small picnic box consisting of sandwich, crisps, drink, box of raisins and biscuit is reasonably priced but not as cheap as if you were to make it up and take it yourself.
~Other activities~ Explorers Lagoon- Free. A small paddling pool for the children to have a splash about in. They will therefore need towels and swimwear and this is not mentioned in the advertising.
Safari Train - Take a trip around the whole zoo on the free train. You will have to leave the pushchairs as there is nowhere on board to take them, but you do not get off the train at a second stop so this is not really a problem.
Panning For Gold - cost involved. Using a dish see if you can find enough gold in the troughs to make a medal.
Shooting Gallery - cost involved. One for the Dad’s. Shoot at various targets and challenge others. No prizes for winners but great fun.
Adventure Golf - cost involved. Series of assorted golf holes to attempt in a jungle landscape.
Penguin Plunge - cost involved. Large inflatable slide.
Face Painting - cost involved. Like many children, mine love having their face painted, only drawback is that this was located towards the exit of the park, so is sort of done as an after thought and just on from face painting is the lagoon, so advisable to let them have a paddle first or they wash the paint off.
~Car Parking~ There is plenty of parking available but it is mainly grass and you are likely to get covered in dust as you approach the entrance.
~Toilets~ There are toilets in various locations throughout the park and before you enter, useful as on busy days you do have a small queue.
~Entrance~ There is a fast-track entrance for those with season tickets or re-entering having been to get the lunch from the car. Queues are usually as a result of people paying by credit card as these take time to authorise.
~Cost~ Adults and children over 12 are full price though there are three peak rates.
Off Peak £10.00 Standard Days £11.00 Peak Days £11.75
Children from 2 - 11 are £1.00 less at each of the peaks. The zoo does aim its activities at toddlers which is why they charge for this age group.
You can also purchase a set price Family of 3, 4 or 5 price ticket which varies from £27.00 - £53.75 depending on number and day.
There are special prices available for groups offering as much as 40% of ticket price and it is not unusual to see schools and playgroups there.
If you live locally you can purchase an Annual pass for £35 per person per year or the new Gold Card Membership at £48 per person (which includes unlimited use of Jungle Adventure Golf, Penguin Plunge, Panning for Gold and Vertical Limit) as well as entrance.
~Education~ This zoo specialises in involving children in all age groups in understanding how animals live and offers various days out with interactive teaching methods and hands on experience enclosing special teaching packages for school groups. There are also packages available for those with special educational needs.
~Birthday Parties~ Like many of these play areas, they cater for birthday parties. The highlight of the birthday package is the birthday child feeds the penguins. The cost is £14.00 per person for non members and includes Opportunity to feed the penguins All day park access Choice of hot or cold party menu Unlimited ice creams with toppings! Birthday Party throne Complimentary coffee or tea vouchers Free activity sheets Free party invitations Which when you consider you are paying £9.00 a head off peak to get in anyway without food is not bad.
~Keeper for the Day~ If aged 6 - 9 there is an opportunity to work side by side with one of the keepers for the whole day though I am not sure how much this is.
~Other Facilities~ First Aid room, baby changing facilities, shop,
Overall for a day out this is a great small zoo, but you must remember that a small zoo is what it is. There are no lions, tigers, elephants, but if you would like to get close to nature and have a super day out then Drusillas is the place to go
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Feb 13th, 2005
(Feb 14th, 2005)
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