Hamerton Zoo Park

No queuing upon entry we prebooked our tickets online, which was £1 cheaper. Proof of disability is needed for a carers free ticket. Everywhere was quite level and wheelchair accessible, with reasonably smooth pathways and no trip hazards. All the enclosures had viewing holes with three different levels high middle and lower for wheelchair users. The car park is acrossed three area the first car park is compacted stone. No signs for disabled car parking. The second area is the same and third area is a field. Disabled toilets were accessible clean and stocked. Hand washing facilities were disabled friendly. I went here without any disabled people, but everywhere I go due to my Dad I am always on the outlook for new places to go as a family. The cafe is reasonably priced. Basic food. Sausage rolls, chips (airfried) jacket potatoes, cakes, fizzy drinks, hot drinks, there are vending machines around the park which are chilled. For two fizzy drinks, one sausage roll and chips, one pizza sub and chips and one hot dog it was £23.90. The gift shop is small and expensive would ofnlike there to be some branded cheaper items like a pencil or pen. The cheapest item was a 50p mini book, then a coaster at £2.99. Great play areas for the children. The only place test isn't accessibly is the bear viewing platform. There are two metal fire escape type stairs up to the viewing platform both around 10 steps a short flat landing then another 10 steps.

Firstly, let me say the zoo experience part is very good. There is lots to see and a wide variety of animals for all ages to enjoy - bears, tigers, an anteater, sloths, gibbons etc. There is a play area for the children, and picnic area. Good idea to take your own food though as the cafe is basic. There are only a couple of blue badge parking spaces, and the car park can be busy with a field as an overflow. There is an accessible toilet (doubling up as the baby changing) which was clean and roomy. It is not near the entrance, however, and as someone who always has to 'go' as soon as I arrive somewhere, it means that I miss some of the exhibits in my hurry to get there. These are the only toilets in the park too, so it is a long walk back from the other side. I feel it would be good to have a radar access loo or two around the zoo. Most of the paths are wide enough for wheelchairs. I use a stick to get around and it is okay. However, there are few benches, so my portable, collapsable stool is a must.

Having experienced the state of the paths at Colchester Zoo, it was great to visit an animal park that was a pleasure to get around.