The West Midlands Safari park opened in 1973.
The park has got a 4 mile safari and this contains over 600 animals from around 30 different species from Europe, Africa, Asia and others.
They have a theme park as well which is next to the safari park as well. They have a reptile and insect ... Read review
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Advantages: Superb rides and safari to enjoy Disadvantages: Wish the monkey enclosure was back
The West Midlands Safari park opened in 1973.
The park has got a 4 mile safari and this contains over 600 animals from around 30 different species from Europe, Africa, Asia and others. They have a theme park as well which is next to the safari park as well. They have a reptile and insect house as well which IS easy for people to view and a sea lion area.
Some of the animals in the safari are on the endangered ... ...Season - 10.00am - 6pm Winter Season - 10.00am - 4pm
Address ------------- West Midland Safari Park, Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1LF
The park has got a 4 mile safari and this contains over 600 animals from around 30 different species from Europe, Africa, Asia and others. They have a theme park as well which is next to the safari park as well. They have a reptile and insect house as well which IS easy for people to view and a sea lion area.
Some of the animals in the safari are on the endangered list such as the jumping rat. This park contains 15 white lions which is the largest amount in the entire United Kingdom.
My Experience -------------------- I have been to this safari park many times purely because my uncle works there and still does. The place is easy to find and well directed. As you drive up this road to get into the park you notice you seem to go for one long distance and not see anything at all. The reason for this is because they have a long space incase they have a big queue to get in which is sensible.
You approach this little hut and there are 3 lanes of traffic and you go inside and you purchase the sort of ticket you want. I got the all day ticket which lets you in any ride for nothing and no need to buy any extra coin tokens around the park.
You then park the car in one of the many parking spaces provided. You go out and as you walk into the park you're presented with a few various shops. They have the regular shop which has the novelty items such as animals and things and you have a shop which sells some food, but to be honest both stores are rather expensive.
As you approach the main theme park centre you can see this small area named the reptile centre. You walk through here and visit the snakes and they have hundreds and they describe them and I managed to pick one up because they were sorting out the skin shredding it was going through and it was a cobra and I was a big child I loved it.
As you continue to entire the park you notice this huge area and I walked into there and it is this sea lion area. You sit down for free and witness these sea lions doing stunts and I have to say they are only one during certain times of the day and it is really nice to see.
After this show ended I finally entered the park and it was huge. I never imagined it would be as big as it was and I walked in and you're presented with rides all over the place. Near the front of the park you have the much smaller rides which are for children and each ride has a restriction involved in regards to the height of people who can be on the ride.
The queues are not there often and you can usually get onto a ride within about five minutes of waiting which is nice. They rides which are at the front are gentle rides and can go fast but more thrill rides rather than scary rides.
As you venture through the park you begin to notice the rides get more intense and higher in the sky. The first of those rides is those swinging ships you see and you see the first rollercoaster they have as well.
The fun part is this is where the fun begins because you have a haunted mansion ride and another rollercoaster nearby followed by a water ride. The overall layout of the park is superb. You have children rides at the front and the rides at the back are more for adults.
I found throughout the actual park itself there is plenty of stores to find food, have a break and a cup of tea and even rides for babies like those little trains you see them on occasionally. There is the odd mascot who walks around which is not too bad but it could be more enjoyable to be honest, and you have plenty of seating and places to rest if you need to. Directions to rides and places to go are always around the park.
The actual layout was easy to follow and I found I visited every single ride within an hour and a half which is not too bad at all. I went on the water splash last and got completely drenched to the point I was a walking tap.
After you have finished inside the park you can then go back to your car and take a drive through the safari park. The safari park entrance you can buy food which is useful as you can feed the animals as you go round. You start off with the tame animals which are out and walking round in different areas and you cannot get lost as the pathway leads you round this huge safari adventure. I remember being there and I was hanging my hand out of the window to feed this sort of donkey they had and it was not really bothering and this other animal which I have never seen before ever came over and just took it out of my hands and I was gobsmacked.
You continue to go round and as you do the animals begin to be put inside enclosures, like the lions and tigers. You notice you can see the lions and tigers quite easily and I had one disaster with the tigers at first with the window down I thought he was coming to the cage to say hello and I was speaking to him and I turned round to check my mobile and out of the blue I felt this smell and he had actually urinated on me from inside his own cage into my car and on my jacket, face, chair the whole lot. He was proud of himself as well, I remember his face and he remembers mine.
The amount of animals they have is marvellous and I am so happy they have the safari there as it is something extra to enjoy. Overall it takes an hour to go round in the car as you're not going to overtake over drivers, you do not want to upset the animals with wild antics.
The actually day out was lovely, nice rides which were not over the top but some were so intense and thrilling it made the day magical and as I went to visit the safari even though I had some close encounters and a shower by a tiger I was impressed with the whole layout. Perfect day out.
Rides -------- There are many rides but I am going to do the rides in order of children and then going up to the more adult rides. A brief description to layout what they are like.
RIDES FOR CHILDREN 0.8 - 1.0 Metre in height
Congo Carousel ------------------------ This is one of those rides which is not that bad, it is a carousel and it goes round pretty slow to be honest but takes less than a minute in time to start and finish so it is a good ride but not exactly the most exciting. Rating 5 out of 10.
Slippery Snake Slide ---------------------------- Well this is a long slide you climb up the steps and then you go through the slide and you're at the bottom and you can have a couple of goes and then your asked to let someone else have a go and this is perfect for children. Rating 6 out of 10.
Desert Cowboy --------------------- Is a ride which is little cars which allow people to go round in a slow motion speed and to be honest a very fun ride for children because lets them think they are driving. Rating 6 out of 10.
Flying Lion Kings ---------------------- This is a ride where you have a few seats and people sit together and it goes round in a circle and swings people out sometimes and each cart is shaped like a lion which inspires their imaginations. Rating 5 out of 10.
Animal Ark --------------- This is a ride which is a ship and people sit on either side and it swings back and forth but does not go to fast or to high and yet again a perfect ride for children. Rating 6 out of 10.
Red Baron --------------- This ride is a cart which is shaped as if you're in control of an airplane and it swings round in circles and eventually stops. Does not go to fast and overall it is a very fun ride for children. Rating 5 out of 10.
Rhino Roundabout -------------------------- This ride is little cars which go round in circles similar to how it might feel to go round a roundabout over and over again. It will make children happy because of the rhino image in the middle. Rating 5 out of 10.
Dr Umboto's Catacombs --------------------------------- This is in theory a ghost train ride and I went on it because I am a big child at heart. There is some scary stuff inside but nothing that it going to upset children and give them nightmares. Very fun ride and one of my favourites. Rating 8 out 10.
Serengeti Gallopers ---------------------------- This ride is very similar to a carousel except you are on a carriage and have a horse at the front and it goes round in circles. Another one of those rides which gives the imagination to the children. Rating 6 out of 10.
CHILDREN ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT - 1.0 - 1.2 metres in height
African Big Apple Coaster ----------------------------------- This is a rollercoaster that has the shape of a caterpillar for the carriages and is going round at speed trying to go through this apple. It is a nice ride and not the best rollercoaster but perfect for kids. Rating 7 out of 10.
Jungle Cat Dodgems ------------------------------ This is where you have little carts each and shaped like a jungle cats head. There is not a lot of speed to be made on these but plenty of room to have fun with the other people. A good time allowed as well on this ride. Rating 8 out of 10.
Jumbo Parade ------------------- This is a ride which is carriages shaped like elephants and you go round in circles but get faster and some go up in the air and then back down and then the ones on the ground go up and swap places. Very quick paced ride and very run. Rating 7 out of 10.
The Tarantula -------------------- This is a ride which is such a fun adventure. You go round in circles and at rapid speed and you tilt and go up in to the air at funny angles. You're basically in a carriage which is a part of the eight legs from the spider itself. One of the best rides there and 9 out of 10.
Pirate Ship --------------- This is a spectacular ride and it goes without saying can scare you. The ride is a ship which swings from one side to the other. It starts slow and gets faster and faster and eventually goes so high you feel it will go all the way round but it doesn't. A fantastic thrill ride and 8 out of 10.
Rhino Rollercoaster -------------------------- This is one of those rollercoaster rides which you go up and down and side to side but to be honest it is a super rollercoaster. You do not go to high in the air but the speed and angles you go travelling at you are scared and it is just a super thrill to be sitting on this ride. I would rate this 8 out of 10.
Wild River Rafting ------------------------ This is a ride which is you in this round boat and you go along the water and then out of the blue you take a tumble and are hit with random whirlpools it is a fun and wet experience. Rating 7 out of 10.
Zambezi Water splash ------------------------------ This is the best ride there for me. You go in a log boat with about 4 seats and you go up slowly and then go travelling down this slide way into some water and you think nothing of it. The second time you go up even higher and come down in deeper water and get absolutely soaked. Rating 9 out of 10.
RIDES FOR PEOPLE 1.2 - 1.4 METRES IN HEIGHT
Twister Coaster --------------------- This is a ride which has you in a cart on your own like the ice cream twister you see the white and green striped one. You go round in circles but also you are on this rollercoaster as well. You can go down these slides and end up twirling around at the same time. Rating 8 out of 10.
Black Fly ------------- A thrilling adventure ride, you all take seats in this circle platform and get strapped in. The ride then goes up the way and comes out like an arm and you are tilt and go round in circles at rapid speed. Very intense ride one of the most intense there and rating is 9 out of 10.
Venom Tower Drop -------------------------- This is the newest ride they have and basically you sit in their seats and you get taken up really high in the air. You are then dropped without hesitation and almost hit the floor. You then go right to the very top and get dropped a second time every faster just before braking near the end. Rating is 10/10. The most thrilling, intense and scariest ride there.
Animals ----------- Well the animals they have I am going to do a list of them, mainly because if I have to describe them all it would take a long time in doing so.
African Reserve Animals ------------------------------ White Rhinoceros Burchell's Zebra Brindled Gnu (Wildebeest) Giraffe Ankole Cattle Common Eland Ellipsen Waterbuck Cape Buffalo Dromedary Camel Ostrich Red Lechwe
Wallaby Reserve ----------------------- White Bennett's Wallaby Reindeer
Other Animals ------------------- Bengal Tiger White lion Addax (Desert Antelope) African Wild Dog African Lion Cheetah Amur Leopard
Safari Express Train -------------------------- This is not some ride they have but more a convenient way for them to get people around. There are a few stops throughout the park and they have basically got this train which travels with a few carriages on the end and drops people off at different intervals'
There are two trains usually going round in a big loop and it is good for people who struggle to walk around and this is a nice lift for them to use to get from one place to another quick and easy.
Other facilities ------------------- They have plenty of toilets situated throughout the park and I would say they have a good range of places as well. They have plenty of places to obtain food such as ice cream stalls, food stall, confectionary stores and more.
They have some drink stores as well throughout which are easy to find because they are well represented.
Prices --------- Admission Prices ---------------------- Adults - £11.50 per person Children - £10.50 per person Under 3's - Free Senior Citizens - £10.50 per person Disabled - £10.50 per person Students - £10.50 per person (Student card holders) Family Admission Ticket - 2 Adults and 2 Children - £40
Wristbands --------------- Adult (16-64 years old) - £10.25 Children (3-15 years old) - £9.75 Family Wristband offer (2 Adults and 2 Children) £38.00 Concessions Wristband (Students, Senior Citizens, Disabled) - £9.75 Tickets - £5 for 3 tickets
Good Points ----------------- Well there are a few good points, but I have to say the biggest is how the park is laid out. You walk in and have got instantly the children's rides right in front of you. I have a niece and I know for sure that at times when you're out places children get bored extremely quickly and want to be able to do things. Having there rides in a group at the front is good because they can instantly go on a ride and have plenty of fun. I like how everything is signed posted, even where the other rides are as well.
The brochures you get when you go into the park gives you a map as well which is extremely handy and gives you an idea of the layout of the park. You have got the more grown up rides towards the back out of the way so children will not moan if they cannot get to them so it helps the parents out of a tricky situation.
I like the variety of rides they have, you have some which are thrill rides and can get your pulses racing and then you have the most relaxed and fun rides. I think what helps is each ride has an animal involved. You see the names of the rides and they contain lions, tigers, caterpillars, elephants and more. So they are trying to get the park these theme of animals as well throughout which is a good way to market a theme park.
They have a good selection of stores and places to eat as well and I think a good choice of location as well for the park. There are easy to find which is essential and they have got a fantastic safari. You can feed the animals whilst going round and get to take pictures and it is just pure fun.
The range of animals they have as well are nice and I think the time you spend their which will be a good few hours is pure entertainment. I think the prices are good considering you can get some good deals if you're going with a family.
Bad Points ----------------- One bad point is the staff are not the best in terms of getting help from. They do seem rather complex and not want to get involved in any discussion with you. There are times when you need some assistance and they are nowhere to be seen which is just a shock to the system.
They used to have this monkeys den where you would drive in and visit the monkeys and they would jump all the cars and I think the one problem is that it was so enjoyable. Some people had their cars damaged but if you took the aerial down then you were usually ok. I do miss this a lot and it was a huge part of the safari.
I think it would be nice if they had the park open longer during the summer, I think with the weather being better and the light we have until 10pm and later they could open until later and open earlier as well. The prices in the stores are bad and really quite steep. You have teddy bears which can cost up to £30 and they are normal teddy bears accept they have got a different shape and some are animals.
The way they ask you to pay £5 for 3 tickets. These are used for when you do not have a wristband, and to be honest some rides require 2 tickets so you're best off having a wristband. I think they should abolish the tickets and stick to the wristbands.
Summary ------------- They have fun rides throughout this park and although it might sound steep the overall prices and I would say they are average for the sort of place they are, it is a terrific day out. You get to have a great thrill with the rides and experience fantastic animals up close and personal. What more can you ask for.
Opening Times -------------------- Bank Holidays - 9.30am - 7pm Summer Season - 10.00am - 6pm Winter Season - 10.00am - 4pm
Address ------------- West Midland Safari Park, Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1LF
Advantages: Fantastic animals on show Disadvantages: Food/souvenier prices are extortionate
...of a driveway, with a West Midland Safari & Leisure Park sign pointing down the drive. My eyes lit up and I reverted back to how I was when I was 8 years old for the remainder of the day! I was so excited!
When you enter the park it seems huge. Once you have paid your entrance fee (detailed later) you have two options; you can either enter the leisure side and enjoy the smaller animal displays/amusements etc. or drive through the animal reserves. ... ...unbelievable. I was in the West Midlands starring right at an African Elephant! The surroundings are so well made that you do feel like you're in Africa. We went on a sunny day so the bright blue sky increased this sensation. This is another member of the 'African Big 5' and is the largest living land animal in the world. This was spectacular and a highlight for me.
Aftr this you go back into the Eurasian Reserve, which is good as you get a better ...
SarahSkas 23.02.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional Review of West Midlands Safari Park
Advantages: Loads to do, great value, lots of different animals Disadvantages: The weather!!
...our closest one, and found West Midlands Safari Park.
The biggest plus points of this safari park for me were one, no monkeys to wreck our car! Two, they took Tesco Clubcard Deal vouchers as payment for the entrance fee. I always exchange my vouchers as it saves me a fortune if we fancy a day out, and you get 4 x the value of your points back in deals vouchers. Worth doing if you dont already and fancy a visit to this safari park. Anyway, more about ... ...highly recommend a visit to West Midlands Safari Park. There is plenty to do and we enjoyed it much more than a zoo. You get a ticket for a free return visit for the current season on entry and we will definitely be returning again in the summer when the weather is hopefully better and we can enjoy the park more. And in the future, I will be using my Tesco Clubcard Deals vouchers to return again! ...
lizngaz 10.04.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of West Midlands Safari Park
Advantages: FUN FOR ALL AGES Disadvantages: NONE - UNLESS YOU LIVE MILES AWAY
...out and we decided that West Midlands Safari Park would be a great idea – we’d been there before and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves so we thought ‘why not?’
So, immediately I had a look on their website which is full of excellent information about the park. This made me even more excited than I already was! The website is www.wmsp.co.uk
We set off early-ish. Well, we planned to set off early – but if you’ve ever had to get a 12 year old out of bed ... ...fabulous day out!
LOCATION
West Midlands Safari Park is located in Worcestershire. The address is West Midlands Safari Park, Spring Grove,
Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1LF
Directions from Birmingham
Take the main Hagley Road to the Quinton Expressway A456 through Hagley and Blakedown following Safari Park signs through Kidderminster to Bewdley.
Directions from Wolverhampton Take the A449 to Kidderminster. Take the A456 to Bewdley.
Directions ...
CoupeQueen 19.08.2007 (21.08.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of West Midlands Safari Park
Advantages: Fantastic day out for all the family Disadvantages: Maybe prices but it is no more expensive than other days out
...if you have children.
West midlands safari park is located in Bewdley there are directions on the website and GPS co-ordinates.
West Midland Safari and Leisure Park
Spring Grove
Bewdley
Worcestershire
DY12 1LF Tel: 01299 402114 Fax: 01299 404519
www.wmsp.co.uk
**Prices**
Admission only (Rides extra) Adults - £9.50 Children - £9.50 (Under 4's free) You pay while in your car at the entrance, prices may seem expensive but you do get a FREE ... ...***Summary***
I think that west midlands safari park is a wonderful place and great for all ages. It gives children the chance to see and touch animals that are from other climates and are not usually found in this country. All the animals look very healthy, happy and look well cared for with plenty of room to walk and run around. Compared to Alton Towers, Cadburys world or Warwick castle I think the safari park is much better and you could easily ...
superstar1212 22.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of West Midlands Safari Park
Advantages: You can get very close to all the animals Disadvantages: The monkeys are gone, rides are a bit rubbish
...i was very little, the West Midlands Safari Park (or WMSP as i will refer to it from now on), has been a place that i have visited fairly frequently. First of all as an excitable small child, then when i was getting into my 'going on scary rides' stage, nowadays to keep my excitable girlfriend happy, ha ha! It has been a regular attraction for me simply because it is within 10 miles of where i have always lived, so it is a very easy place to go for ... ...lovely little town called Bewdley, which is adjacent to Kidderminster, famous for its carpets, and not a lot else. It is about 10-15 miles from Birmingham, and is signposted and easily accessed from the M5 and M42, and also from the M6 (just look for the brown sign with a white elephant). Public transport isn't too great for the park, there are a couple of buses that go there from Kidderminster and Bewdley town centre, and to get there by train you'd ...
miggimoo 21.05.2004 (27.05.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of West Midlands Safari Park
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