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Marwell Zoo - Days out in Hampshire

Marwell Zoo can be found at Colden Common, near Winchester. It is one of the most popular days out for children in Hampshire.

If you travelled to Mawell Zoo by car is adequate parking provided by the attraction?
Yes, excellent.

If you travelled by public transport, how long did it take to reach the attraction from the bus/train station?
N/A

What was the cost for you and your family to enter the attraction?
Ticket prices are: Adult-12.50, child (3-16)-9, Senior/student-10.50, family- (2A+2C)-41,Disabled adult (+carer)-10, Disabled child (+carer)-6.50(At time of writing-valid until 31/03/07)

Did the attraction offer an annual pass/season ticket?
Adult-40, Child(3-16)-25,senior/student-32,Disbled adult(+carer)-32, Disabled child(+carer)-20(At time of writing-valid until 31/03/07)

Please briefly describe the nature of the attraction (zoo, farm etc)
Zoo Park

How "buggy friendly" is Marwell Zoo?
Good, well catered for. The trains have buggy trailers. Sometimes these can be very full at peek times. A lone parent with a baby and toddler will have difficulty, but I asked the tractor driver for assistance and he was very helpful.

Is the attraction mainly outdoor or indoor? If outdoor, what indoor activities (if any) are available during bad weather?
Most activities are outdoors and weather dependent. However most enclosures have an indoor section that enable you to escape from the elements for a break e.g. Giraffe house, Pygmy Hippo house, penguin pool to name just a few.

Can the attraction be enjoyed by all ages of children? If not, why not and what age is it best suited for?
Yes, great for all ages.

Can food be purchased at this attraction?
Yes, several areas, although the main restaurant is currently closed for refurbishment. However, they are opening a new deli style restaurant at Easter and starting a picnic initiative where you pre-order your food.

Did the attraction cater for differing tastes i.e. Vegetarian, healthy food option?
Yes, ranges from Jacket potatoes, sandwiches to vegetable burgers.

Are there facilities for people wishing to bring a picnic to the attraction?
Yes and is probably the best option, however, with the main restaurant closed this summer, it could be a fight to get a picnic table so bring a blanket to sit on!!

Did you find the toilet facilities clean?
Yes, OK.

Do you feel it is possible to see the whole attraction in one day?
Yes, although depending on the age of your children it might not be feasible to stay a whole day as it would be very tiring for little ones.

Are there other attractions or activities to pay for in addition to the entrance fee (other than food and drinks)?
Not out of season, apart from the gift shop. However, in school holidays and the summer months, the rail train runs which is £1.50 one way (to the top of the park, or back to entrance). This can be costly especially as fee starts from 3 years. Also, at these peek times there are Bouncy castles and rides at additional cost. Road Trains are FREE!!!!

What was the highlight of the day?
Tigers and the playground.

From your experience, what advice would you offer to other visitors of the attraction?
Ask for help if needed. Use the toilet facilities near the main entrance (beneath the old Tree Tops restaurant) before you start going round, as the next opportunity is half way round the park.

It is great to go out of season as it is very quiet. Summer time is great as there are bouncy castles etc, however theses can add to the expense and just be a distraction for the children from the animals.

Wrap up warm in the winter months as a lot of the park is in the shade from early afternoon and it is fairly exposed so can get pretty cold.

Buy a season ticket, if you live within an hours drive of the place. The price is very good compared to the day pass and it means you can just pop there in the afternoon for a couple of hours. I go throughout the year, sometimes once a week.

What areas would you suggest visitors make sure they experience, and why?
Pygmy Hippo house, (especially if the weather is cold). It is a lovely warm, quiet and tranquil place to watch these beautiful animals.

Giraffe house. When they are inside you can get really close to these magnificent animals.

Tiger enclosure….how often can you get to be within 3 inches of a Tiger, they will often brush passed the glass on the other side.

What improvements could be made to make the attraction better, if any?
More toilet and baby changing facilities. More playground apparatus for very young children. (Although a new playground will be opening in Easter, which may be better in this area).

Overall what are your feelings about the attraction?
Very high standard of care for the animals and the environment they are living in. Excellent way to learn about animals, as the information at each enclosure is just enough to read and digest.

Please rate this attraction out of 5 stars. (1 is poor and 5 is excellent). Please consider if you are rating a Zoo/Farm type attraction, take into account the apparent care of the animals as this would and should be a primary concern for the running of the attraction. For example the standard of the facilities for visitors at one of these attractions would probably not be the same as in a theme park.

5 Stars

Finally, do you have any other information about the attraction that may be of interest to future visitors?
Marwell is a registered charity. On their website (www.Marwell.org.uk) …they state their mission is…" to contribute to the conservation of biological diversity through the presentation and breeding of threatened species, the conservation and management of wild species in their natural habitat and by inspiring improved understanding, awareness and care of wildlife and the environment." There is a Hotel next to the park and a grand house in the centre of the park that offers private and corporate function facilities.

What do you think?
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