Yesterday I found myself - along with my brother - with three children aged 5, 5 and 6 to entertain. We needed to go somewhere that would take no more than an hour by car, that would hold the interest of all of us (thus avoiding screams and squabbling), that couldn't be spoilt by bad weather, and that was actually OPEN despite it being only the first of March. After a good search around on the internet, we decided on Knowsley Safari Park.


Getting There:

Knowsley Safari Park is situated just off Junction 2 of the M57 near to Liverpool. It is well signposted from the Junction 2 roundabout, so you can't miss it.


Cost:

There are several drive-through kiosks where you pay to get into the park. We paid £29 for 2 adults and 3 children, courtesy of a family ticket plus one extra child. Individual prices are £8 per adult and £6 per child. Season tickets and group discounts are also available.

Once you're in, you are free to take advantage of all the attractions as many times as you like and stay for the whole day. This price includes the Safari Drive; Information Centre; Sea Lion & Parrot Show; Reptile House; Children's Farm and animal enclosures. A 'whole day' lasts from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the summer season (1 March - 31 October), and 10.30 a.m. until 4 p.m. through winter.


The Safari Drive:

If you want to take your time and have a good look, the Safari Drive will take you about an hour. It is very well signposted and usually 3 lanes wide, meaning no one gets too held up by those in front, and there are plenty of pull-in places where you can stop and watch the animals at leisure.

Signs are also very clear as to when you are allowed to open your car windows and when they absolutely MUST be kept shut.

The range of animals at Knowsley is very impressive. Within seconds of driving through the safari gates you are seeing herds of deer peacefully
grazing and wandering about.

Next, you find yourself amongst the lions and tigers. Tigers are in enclosures, but some lions are not. This was one of the best bits of the day for us, as we were literally 2 feet away from a magnificent pride of lions who were happy to sit and sun themselves while we stopped and gawped excitedly.

After this it's more deer, and then emus and wallabies, the former of which come right up to your car and tap on the windows. The kids just squealed with delight at this while I, who has a phobia of birds, sat nervously with my hand on the electric window buttons to ensure the windows remained firmly closed.

Next up came everyone's favourite part of the day, the baboons and monkeys. It should be noted that you enter this part of the park at your own risk, and there is another route you can take where you are not so close but can still see everything if you prefer.

We, of course, threw caution to the wind and went for it. In no time our car, and everyone else's, was covered in playful primates showing off their bright pink bums, shagging (or dancing as we told the little ones) on our bonnet and messing with anything they could find. We were fortunate and came away unharmed, but many cars took quite a pounding and will today be at Halfords buying new aerials and front and back window wipers.

We lingered with the monkeys for quite a while and then continued to drive, passing through zebras, bison and rhinos before ending our drive at the elephants and giraffe enclosure. Opposite the elephant and giraffe enclosures is a lovely big picnic area where you can put your car and relax on the grass.

It was truly a terrific experience - fun, fascinating, hilarious and educational - and one that none of us will forget in a hurry.


The Fair:

We then parked up on the large car park and headed for the fair. There were loads of rides, each of which cost £1. Most we
re child-orientated, but some were suitable for adults too and did go quite high and quite fast.

If you're a lover of massive theme park rides, this fair will not satisfy your need to cheat death, but if, like me, you just like a bit of a thrill without fearing that this could be your last day on earth, you'll be very happy with what's on offer.


Small Animal Farm:

Next to the fair is the small animal farm, where kids are encouraged to get up close and personal with chickens, geese, pigs, cows, donkeys, llamas and Shetland ponies. Most are kept behind bars in large pens, but kids are allowed to stroke and pet them.


Reptile House:

This is a small enclosure where you can see a variety of snakes, lizards, spiders, snails and other creepy, slimy things.


Sea lion and Parrot Show:

Situated above the reptile house is an auditorium with pool where the shows take place. First you get to see the parrots talking, twirling, and riding scooters and bicycles, and then you get a good 10 minutes of 2 sea lions showing us what they can do with diving, ball-balancing, waving, clapping and leaping. The show is really enjoyable, for both audience and creatures, and we lapped it up.

One word of caution though: the place stinks of rotten fish and slimy saltwater, so take something to cover your nose!


Other Attractions and Amenities:

There are plenty of toilets. Some are situated just before the Safari Drive and others are in and around the fair area. They include disabled facilities and a mother and baby room.

An information centre provides lots of interactive info on the animals and their habitats.

There is a gift shop selling the usual tat and souvenirs.


Eating and Drinking:

After such a glowing report so far I'm afraid I have to add a note of criticism. A BIG note of criticism. The 'restaurant' is appalling
.

It is dingy, dirty, greasy, and sells a very poor range of terrible quality food, from a scant choice of unappetizing sandwiches to dreadful looking beefburgers, sausage rolls and pies, to greasy chips full of green and black eyes.

Though I was starving I couldn't face any of it so bought a chocolate muffin (not made on the premises) and a cup of coffee. The coffee was the worst I have ever tasted in my entire life and neither my brother nor I got past one sip. The children refused to eat their food and we ended up buying them crisps and chocolate from a machine instead.

Tables and chairs, which were of the fastened-to-the-floor style so beloved of old transport caffs, were equally grubby and uncomfortable.

This was a real disappointment to us - we would have loved to see a more upmarket eatery or family pub there - and marred what had been a wonderful day so far.


Overall:

We had a fantastic time at Knowsley Safari Park. It was excellent value for money and the animals - which are of course the real reason for visiting - were a wonder and delight.

I would highly recommend the place to both adults and children alike, but would strongly advise you to take your own food and drink.

I would love to give the place 5 stars but the restaurant was so very bad that I cannot allow myself to give more than 4.

If you want to know more, check out the terrific website at www.knowsley.com/safari