A Day Out for the Family (Drusillas Park)

Member Name: scuzz

Product:	Drusillas Park
Date:	09/01/05 (902 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lots to see, lots to do, FUN!

Disadvantages: .

Seeing as this is my "local" zoo, I felt it only right to talk about it.

====How Big====

Drusillas isn't the world's biggest zoo, so please don't go there expecting to see lions and tigers, because you won't see any. This is a compact zoo, really aimed at children. It's won several awards, so just because it's small, doesn't mean it's no good. In fact, I went there last year with my other half, and we're in our twenties with no children!

====Animals====

These are mainly small creatures such as meerkats, penguins and bugs! Numerous small monkeys are kept in the park, and you get up close and personal with them.

The meerkats area is really designed for kids to get close to them. A tunnel takes them - or mums and dads too! - under the enclosure, to a pod, where you pop you head up in right in the middle of the meerkats! Its little touches like this that makes the zoo so appealing to children.

The special dedicated areas are also big thumbs up as far as the kids go.

There’s the fruit bat enclosure, which is like a cave where you walk through where the bats are. You can see them hanging from trees and flying around. One to avoid if you don't like bad smells or bats obviously!

The farm yard is one of my personal favourites in the park. Here are various cows and pigs, as well as some interactive stations. You can see what it's like to milk a cow with a special machine, and see how strong you are by testing how much wait you can lift. This ranges from rabbit to Shire horse.

There's also a bug area - yuck! As well as a beaver and otter sanctuary. I'll tell you a true story about to of the otters. Four years ago, Rosie was very lonely, so they introduced her to Ben. The pair were so happy, they married them, and they're still living happily today. Strange but true! You may not see the beavers, and likewise when you come to the porcupine enclosure as they're nocturnal.

====Extras====

I use this word for want of a better one.

Kids can get a booklet to take with them around the park. As they come across certain animals, they stamp it with the stamp provided. This gives them a better attention span.

Also, there are lots of flaps, buttons and things to touch along the way, to stop them from getting bored. Plus they're learning without realising it!

The animal olympics thing they have going on is great fun. You do a sprint to see if you're as fast as a cheetah, a long jump weight test. I enjoyed this let alone the kids!

You can also weigh yourself to so which animal you are as heavy as. When I did this at the age of 11, I was a beaver - I dread to think what I am now ten years later!

There are also climbing frames and slides in unexpected places to keep children amused

For the dads, the crazy golf will probably appeal. This is a fairly new attraction, as is the panning for gold area.

====Play Area====

I used to love this when I was little and would still play in it now if I was allowed! There's loads here, from a fire engine to a zip wire. Littlies can play on the diggers in the sand pit, whilst the older ones can try out the assault course.

There's also an indoor play area, where there are swings, an underground tunnel system and slides.

====Train====

Why not take the train ride round the edge of the park and look at the animals, whilst getting a well deserved sit down!

====Facilities====

If you're taking grandparents or someone who finds it difficult to walk for long periods of time, you'll be pleased to hear there are benches dotted all around the place.

There's a mother and baby unit, lost children depot, an audio facility for the hard of hearing along with picnic areas, gift shops, face painting and places to eat. A first aid centre is also on hand to help and guide dogs are permitted too.

Disabled access is good around the zoo.

====Trips====

Special displays and feeding times are ones to look out for. But if you're taking a school, they usually organise something special for them to do.

The park also offers a birthday party facility.

====Keeper For A Day====

I did this through a job swap with my work. You really do get hands on. I had to cut the legs off chicks to feed to meerkats, so it is quite graphic, which may well be worth taking into account before applying for young children.

On completion you do get a goodie bag. I only got a badge, but then again I was 17 at the time!

I'm not sure of a price for this so check with the park.

====Adopt an Animal====

Obviously this is an extra on going expense. But there is the option if you should so wish to support an animal.

====Prices====

These vary depending if it's an on or off peak day. The most expensive price I can find is £53.75 and that's for a family of five on a peak day. Which I don't think is too bad considering everything in the park.


Discounts are given for groups and under 2's get in free.

They also have a club option, where you pay a flat rate and get special access to certain features of the park. There are two levels of club membership.

====Location====

Alfriston is easily accessible from the A27, and is only 7 miles from Eastbourne. A car is probably the best way of finding it as there's no train station or bus near by. It's well sign posted and for the mums and dads, the English Wine Centre is next door!

====Over All====

I think this is a great day out. I think younger children would enjoy it more than older ones, as there's a lot to play with and a great play area. Plus teens have to be cool don't they! I also think this is a nice relaxing day out for adults, if they chose an off peak day when not many kids will be there, as it's very quiet. I would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting the area, or to anyone who lives here and hasn't been before. They always seem to be adding new things, I know more stuff has been added since I last went.

Thanks for reading

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