Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
ONE of the UK’s largest zoological collections is just across the border in neighbouring Oxfordshire
The Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is a fantastic family day out where you can view wonderful wild and exotic breeds set in stunning landscaped gardens in this picture perfect part of the world.
Although it offers a full day out, the park has always appealed to us as it has a cosy feel and nothing seems very far away.
It is beautifully laid out and it is fabulous to see magnificent beasts such as rhino and zebra grazing contently in the shadow of the magnificent mansion house in the grounds.
It is a warm and welcoming place and after leaving your car in the car park you can enjoy the day strolling around at your leisure.
Our children have long been fans of this wildlife park and even though they are now teenagers they still find it enchanting and love seeing the different birds and animals.
Like most teens they would balk at the suggestion of going on a family walk, but put them in this park and they are more than happy to dash about for the day and explore all the different areas.
Set in 160 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens, you can see more than 250 different species including wolves, camels, ostriches, lions, leopards, crocodiles, anacondas and giant tortoises.
There are extensive lawns perfect for picnics but there is also a restaurant on offer.
It is the perfect place whatever the weather.
Under cover you will find the tropical house, reptile courtyard, insect house and bat house with more than 60 fruit bats.
We have visited at various times of the year and our most recent was during a winter weekend.
We wrapped up warm and still had a fabulous time and the park being a little quieter proved ideal for us as we got to see some amazing sights including the usually snoozing red panda leaving its tree top perch and pad and running about its enclosure.
It was mesmerising and memorable.
This place is also a gardener’s delight with a rich variety of ever changing planting styles, formal plantings and flamboyant borders.
Everywhere is immaculately tended and that makes your experience all the more enjoyable.
The park is picturesque and works wonderfully well with the wild inhabitants who are all easy to see as the entire park is wheelchair and buggy friendly.
Don’t miss the walled garden with the penguins, tropical birds, monkeys, magical meerkats and otters.
These captivating creatures kept us transfixed for a long time with their animated antics.
There are always news things to see and new arrivals.
We saw baby otters and turkeys during our recent visit and there are lots of events staged throughout the year.
It is in this area of the park you will also find the amazing walk-through lemur enclosure, the marvellous Madagascar, where you can get up close and mingle with these beautiful creatures.
This enclosure opens from 11.30am daily and closes at 3pm so make sure you don’t miss a visit to this part of the park.
The park is open every day from 10am (except Christmas Day) and is nestled in the Cotswolds near Burford.
Seasonally and weather permitting, visitors can enjoy a ride around the park grounds aboard the narrow gauge railway at the additional cost of £1 per person (April – October).
Another highlight of our return visit was the new giraffe enclosure. This sloping wooden walkway gives you great vantage viewing spots to see the giraffes at their level.
The huge range of animals to see, from the big cats to the tiniest of monkeys, means there is something that will delight everyone of all ages.
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is situated on the A361, two miles south of its junction with the A40 at Burford, Oxfordshire.
Prices: Adults £12.50, children (aged three to 16) £8.50, over 65s £8.50 and under threes go for free. All admission prices will increase by 50p from March 1.
For more information telephone: 01993 823006 or go to www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
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