| Product: |
Edinburgh Zoo |
| Date: |
13/04/07 (509 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: great day out!
Disadvantages: a bit expensive
Having been a visitor to the zoo since I was a child I have seen it change quite dramatically, but one thing has stayed the same throughout the years and that is the fact that kids just love it. There is much more to the zoo than the obvious attraction of the variety of animals to view and if you are lucky enough to get good weather then the views from the highest point in the zoo are amazing.
There is a vast amount of animals on view here from tiny lizards and other small reptiles to the giant giraffes. It takes approximately 5 hours to cover the zoo by foot so be prepared for a long day, there is a safari vehicle with trailer which you can take to the top of the zoo if you prefer not to walk up the very steep hills it does of course offer transport back down too but I feel you have to walk at least one way if you can to get the full benefit of what the zoo has to offer.
As you enter the zoo you will see the gift shop to your right hand side, be prepared to spend a few pounds in there on the way out if you have kids! You will be greeted by the pleasant staff who will charge you a small fortune to enter, however I do feel its value for money as there's a lot to see and do and it really is a day out.
PRICES!
Adults: £10.50
Kids over 3: £7.50
Under 3`s go free
Pensioners and students: £7.50
Family Tickets
2 Adults + 2 Children £32.00
2 Adults + 3 Children £35.50
Parking
Car Park £2.00
So what do you get for your money? Well there are currently over 1000 types of animals on view at Edinburgh zoo. Depending on where you choose to start you will either find yourself as I do heading up the hills to the top past the rhinos and larger animals on your way to where the zebras enclosure is or you will find yourself starting at the reptile sheds which I tend to leave till on the way out. You may find it useful to plan your day around special event times such as the feeding of the lions or the penguin parade to make sure you are in the right place at the right time.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS!
The penguins are one of the main attractions as their antics are usually very funny and the kids love to watch them, their enclosure can get very crowded at peak times. There are a number of different type penguins at the zoo including yellow eyed penguins, gentoo penguins and the larger king penguins.
Another favourite attraction is of course the king of the jungle the lion. This particular part of the zoo as well as being home to the lions is also the home of all the other big cats too and can be the part of the zoo that gets the busiest of all. I tend to feel a bit sorry for the lions as when they are kept in the enclosure so they can be viewed they have very little room to move around but they are a spectacular sight.
The polar bear is another to attract lots of attention it can be seen climbing the rocks and diving into the water, it really is a sight to behold.
My sons personal favourite and that of many kids is of course the monkeys, they are situated just behind the play park which is ideal as the kids can play at the park and watch the antics of the monkeys at the same time.
As well as the main attractions I have listed there are of course many other fantastic sights such as the kangaroos, Yinka the female gorilla, the bush babies which my other half always wants to take home, the cute and cuddly koalas, the red pandas and much much more.
As I have mentioned the zoo is set on a very steep hill but there has been every effort made to cater for all including those with disabilities, those whose disabilities require a carer will be admitted for the concession price and their carers go free. There are also free wheelchairs loaned at the zoo on a first come first served basis. The hill top safari ride whilst available to able bodied people too is also a great feature for the disabled who otherwise might not be able to get all the way to the top. I have pushed my son to the top in his buggy and wouldn't fancy pushing another adult in a wheel chair I can tell you.
There are picnic areas all round the park for you to stop and refuel after all the walking, these are situated at the hilltop, located near a children's play area, in front of the Mansion House, with a large lawn area for relaxing and on the terrace overlooking the maze. The maze terrace is also home to fast food van offering burgers hot dogs and the likes but be prepared to pay expensive prices for them, when I was there last year I paid £11 for two cheese burgers one hot dog a mars ice cream and three cokes. Purchasing food or drinks from anywhere in the zoo is an expensive business better to go prepared.
If the weather is not kind enough to eat outdoors then there are also 2 indoor cafes which like the snack vans offer a large variety of hot and cold foods but at very expensive prices.
Stripes, situated next to the Mansion House, offers substantial meals like chicken, haddock and Cumberland sausages, all served with salad and your choice of either chips or mashed potato. As well as more snack type offerings such as baked potatoes or filled sandwiches.
The Oasis, situated in the middle of the Zoo, offers a wide range of light meals and snacks. Pizzas made to order and freshly cooked pasta with a choice of sauces, again all at expensive prices.
If you really feel like splashing out you could have lunch at Mansion House, a very elegant and beautiful mansion which dates back to 1793 and is just as spectacular inside as it is from the outside. Full menus are available and you will be served by silver service waiters and waitresses but you will pay through the nose for the privilege.
If you are a little thirsty or peckish throughout the day there are also many kiosks selling snacks and drinks however out of season you will find a few of these will not open.
penguin kiosk - this is open most of the year, weather permitting, offering ice creams in summer and soups in winter, along with sandwiches, sweets, drinks, crisps and fruit
Lemur kiosk - ice cream, sweets, drinks, crisps and fruit
Owl kiosk - ice cream, sweets, drinks, crisps and fruit
Alpaca kiosk - at the hilltop, located alongside the presentation arena where you can meet the birds of prey and other animals during the summer season
the kiosks also tend to sell things like cameras, batteries and films for cameras as well as other useful things like waterproof capes and umbrellas should you get caught in a down pour, again however better to be prepared as you will have to fork out over the odds for these things too.
The gift shop I mentioned earlier is probably the last thing you will do at the zoo to finish off your day and also to get rid of any money you might have left. There is everything in this little shop from tacky rubbish for the kids to very beautiful art work from around the zoo all of which is very over priced. There is also one last chance to pick up some sweets or fizzy drinks for the journey home. I usually can't get through this shop without forking out somewhere around.
Travelling to and from the zoo can be done by many means of transport, depending of course on where you are coming from. If you are a local then the bus service within Edinburgh is probably the best way especially during the zoo`s busy periods as parking can become difficult. If you are driving to the zoo from north of Edinburgh you simply want to head for the by pass after the bridge and follow the signs, coming from south of Edinburgh you will probably enter through Leith or granton, in this case you want to head north on the city by pass towards the bridge until the zoo is sign posted. There is also a very good rail link into Edinburgh; I will list a full description of public and private travel instructions at the end of the review!
For sat nav purposes the address of the zoo is:
134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS.
The zoo is open every day of the year including Christmas day the opening times are as follows:
The zoo opens at 9.00 am every morning and closes at:
April - September 6.00pm
October and March 5.00pm
November - February 4:30pm
The animal houses will shut approximately 15 minutes before the actual closing time.
The zoo also has some special events which run throughout the year these change yearly of course and more information on these events can be found at their website, www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
Please note if you will be travelling to the zoo this year (2007) then there could be some disruption during your visit due to ongoing work to improve the zoo and to help it become more environmentally friendly. This work and these disruptions could actually affect visitors for up to the next 15 or so years as the zoo undertakes its 20 year plan to completely re-develop the entire zoo.
So to bring this review to a close, if you want a good day outdoors with plenty to see and do then Edinburgh zoo will not let you down. If however you are looking for a cheap activity to keep the kids amused then this is not for you. Just keep in mind that although the prices are a bit steep there is a lot of money being put into this place at the moment not just to re-develop but to improve the conditions for the animals and to become more environmentally friendly, so dig deep and enjoy a great day out!
Travelling to the zoo:
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
By Train
There are two trains' stations in Edinburgh city, Edinburgh Waverley Station and Edinburgh Haymarket Station. From these stations the buses listed below will take you to Edinburgh Zoo.
By Bus
Edinburgh Zoo, located on Corstorphine Road, is well serviced by public transport. With bus stops located directly outside the Zoo, it makes it easily accessible by the following buses;
All the following Lothian Buses go from Princes Street, Edinburgh city centre;
12 - The Jewel - Princes Street - The Gyle
26 - Tranent - Princes Street - Clerwood
31 - Polton - Princes Street - East Craigs
X48 - The Ingliston Park and Ride
Waverley Bridge - Princes Street - Ingliston Park & Ride - Ratho
100 - Airlink
Waverley Bridge - Princes Street - Edinburgh Airport
All the following Citylink services also stop at Edinburgh Zoo;
900 - Glasgow - Edinburgh
909 - Stirling - Edinburgh
904 - East Kilbride - Edinburgh
BY CAR:
From the south - on the A1, A68 or A702
When you reach the City Bypass (A720) turn left, following signs for Edinburgh north and west. Follow the by-pass for 13 miles (from the A1), 11 miles (from the A68) or 6 miles (from the A702) until the end of the bypass. At the huge Gogarburn roundabout, take the right hand lane, and turn right, following signs for Edinburgh city centre (A8). Follow this road for approx 2.5 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the south west - on the A70
Approaching Edinburgh, at the village of Currie, turn left at the Post Office following signs for Hermiston and Heriot Watt University. Follow this road for 1.5 miles, then turn right onto the A71 towards the city centre for a further 1.5 miles. At the first roundabout, turn left onto the City Bypass (A720) and head north for 2 miles. At the huge Gogarburn roundabout, take the right hand lane, and turn right, following signs for Edinburgh city centre (A8). Follow this road for approx 2.5 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the south west - on the A71
Heading towards Edinburgh, turn left onto the City Bypass (A720) following signs for Edinburgh north. Follow this for 2 miles, until the end of the bypass. At the huge Gogarburn roundabout, take the right hand lane, and turn right, following signs for Edinburgh city centre (A8). Follow this road for approx 2.5 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the west - on the M8
Travelling east on the M8, leave the motorway at Junction 1 onto the City Bypass (A720). Follow this for 1.5 miles, until the end of the bypass at the huge Gogarburn roundabout. Take the right hand lane, and turn right, following signs for Edinburgh city centre (A8). Follow this road for approx 2.5 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the airport - on the A8
Follow signs for Edinburgh city centre, turning left onto the A8. On the dual carriageway, take the right hand land for City Centre, and follow the underpass at the huge Gogarburn roundabout. Follow this road for approx 3 more miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the north west - on the M9
Leave the motorway at Junction 1, following signs for the Airport (A8). On the dual carriageway, take the right hand land for City Centre, and follow the underpass at the huge Gogarburn roundabout. Follow this road for approx 3 more miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
From the north, Forth Road Bridge - on the M90
Continue on the A90 towards Edinburgh city centre, for 5 miles. At the Cramond roundabout, turn right onto the A902 for a further 1.5 miles. At the Maybury Junction, turn left onto the A8 following signs for city centre. Follow this road for a further 2 miles, going through Corstorphine. The Zoo is on your left, with the car park entrance just between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn.
All travel information was provided by www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
I thank you all kindly for reading this review and hope it has been useful to you!
Summary: the kids love this zoo and the adults will have a good day too even if they will spend a bit!!
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strawberrybonbon - 20/11/08 This is an old review now and I do not know if it can still get a crown but it deserves one so much I have nominated it anyway! |
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