| Product: |
Chestnut Centre Otter and Owl Sanctuary (Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire) |
| Date: |
21/12/07 (294 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Great conservation centre, especially for otters.
Disadvantages: You have to like otters, and hilly walks, to fully appreciate it.
*** Our Special Offer ***
I have had a few holidays in the Peak District, but despite the Chestnut Centre being well advertised in the area, I was in no hurry to visit it. This is because when I had seen otters in captivity before, in various locations, they were only active briefly at feeding time and their enclosure stank of fish.
Then this summer Morrisons gave us some Buy One Get One Free vouchers for days out, as a reward for shopping there, so me and hubby decided we would use one at the Chestnut Centre. We were pleasantly surprised at the lovely time we had there.
*** The Estate and Wildlife ***
The Chestnut Centre is in an area of outstandingly beautiful countryside which is specially protected so that wild creatures and plants can live in safety. Sadly the picturesque hilly landscape that the centre encompasses makes it unsuitable for disabled people and children who need pushchairs, unless they have extremely strong carers with them.
It was named after a tree planted to commemorate Queen Victoria's Coronation, and was opened as a conservation centre in 1984.
As well as entertaining visitors it hopes to educate them about the wildlife we have in this part of the country, in order that they will want to do everything in their power to help conservation work too. There are plenty of information boards around the estate designed to interest youngsters as well as adults.
The centre is involved in captive breeding and re-introduction into the wild, and also help to rehabilitate injured wildlife.
The entrance is near the top of a hill. From there we strolled past the deer, with sheep grazing in the distance, down the path, passing Ford Hall which dates back to Tudor times, to the woods where the otters, birds of prey and other animals suitable to this environment live.
The many species of otter we saw on this cool October day, were all active. As well as running and swimming, I was impressed by the amount of different vocal sounds I heard from them.
Photographers, be warned, you are likely to end up with a lot of photos of otters' tails unless you are a lot quicker than me and the others trying to get pictures of the otters on the day I visited. Due to persistence, I did get the odd photo of a full otter though, and had a good laugh with others about how quick the otters moved when a camera was pointed at them. They didn't hide though, just had fun at the photographers' expense.
The many species of otters are the main attraction. The most active was the Giant Otter, an endangered native of South America. He seemed to love showing off his swimming and jumping skills to human visitors. He is intended to be part of their breeding programme, so I hope he has talents in this area as well. I didn't have a tape measure with me but think he was about 5 foot long.
We also saw many species of owls and deer, polecats, wild cats, pine martens and fox.
All the enclosures for the birds and animals we saw were clean and generously sized with seemingly contented inhabitants in them.
At the end of the day we went into the reception building in the car park, which has a gift shop and café, for a hot drink.
*** Wear Sensible Clothing ***
Visitors must be able to cope with walking up and down hills, on uneven paths. They should have sensible footwear for this. Otters live by water, so even in dry weather conditions the path may have slippery splashes from the streams and ponds on it.
Also be prepared for the weather conditions on top of the hills to be different from that in the valley. On the day we visited the hill tops were above the clouds holding in the warmth to the valley, and the temperature was 5C cooler.
*** How to Get There, Opening & Prices ***
It is about half way between Manchester and Sheffield at Chapel-en-le-Frith in the Peak District National Park.
From the A6 we saw plenty of brown tourist signs as we got near.
The Chestnut Centre is just off the A625 Castleton Road between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Mam Tor.
The number 200 bus from Chapel-en-le-Frith to Castleton runs nearby.
Spring and Summer opening times are daily from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm. It closes at dusk at other times, and in deep Winter is only open at weekends.
Chestnut Centre Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park
Chapel-en-le-Frith
High Peak
Derbyshire SK23 0QS
Tel: 01298 814099
Entry Fees
Adults - £6.00
Children (between 2 and 15 years) - £4.00
Family (2 adults and 2 children) - £18.00
No dogs admitted, except guide dogs.
*** Other Centres ***
The Heap family who own this Peak District conservation centre, have another centre in the New Forest at Marchwood and also run Battersea Park Children's Zoo in London.
*** Recommendation ***
A good value for money and enjoyable day out, if the weather is good, for those who want to appreciate the wild life (especially otters and owls) and plants of this picturesque Peak District area.
You do have to be able to cope with a hilly walk.
Summary: Great conservation centre in Peak District National Park.
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