Dartmoor Zoological Society

This little gem is absolutely worth a visit - due to how close you can get to their cheetah, tiger, lion & jaguar alone. However, it is a difficult terrain, carved into the side of one of Devon's hills. My partner was able to check in with the reception to have the gates opened for us to drive up to the disabled parking. From there, I rented a mobility scooter (they appeared to have 2) for only 5 pounds! (20 pound deposit). The scooter managed with all the rough terrain, I even drove it back down the hill to hear the Tapirs & Capybaras talk. I didn't try to do the "walk through" enclosure. However, I was able to enter the Reptile House, despite the small step, and even took the chair up the steep hill by the cats. The keepers are all incredibly nice, and clearly doing their best to improve on this small zoo, particularly after their story had been turned into the movie "We Bought a Zoo". I only give it 4.5 stars because it is such difficult terrain, even for able-bodied folks.

I booked my tickets online, followed the disabled parking signs and pulled up in front of the closed gates which lead there. After no help from gesturing politely at the receptionist, I struggled out of my car in pain from the drive to walk up a steep slope to the desk. The receptionist took my name only, didn’t need to see my ticket on my phone, and signed me in, explaining that everyone needs to come to her first. Thank goodness I am an ambulatory wheelchair user. Being alone was a challenge, I went round on my mobility scooter which coped with the terrain, it’s a Kymco. Anything smaller would have struggled and I would have in the wet. I had to ask fellow visitors to help open doors. I couldn’t get into the reptile house because there’s a small step onto the ramp. The disabled toilets were very difficult to use because the sliding doors literally dragged along the floor and I had to walk to them. Negotiating the restaurant was good apart from having to drag a long bench out from under the table which was heavy, I just managed the end. I love animals and the zoo itself was lovely, I missed the tapirs etc as access is either through a double gate where I needed more help then across grass, or down the narrow road where I couldn’t pull in. I’m glad I went to see the zoo but wouldn’t come again.