Dudley Zoo & Castle Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★★☆☆
“Not been to this zoo and castle for over 20 years and...”
Written on: 16/09/2012 by Andyref (1 review written)
Not been to this zoo and castle for over 20 years and so we thought we would take a trip on Sat 15th sept 2012 . The sat nav using post code take you to the zoo but not car park so you have to turn around and look for the car park not signed until you go past a curry house down a side rd . Some of the animals and cages were not open and looked like they needed a coat of paint plus the big major problem is at one place the tavern they ran out of food, so we either had to wait for 30 mins or... (read more)
★★★★★
“Brilliant day out! ”
Written on: 27/07/2012
Had an absolutely lovely day at Dudley zoo today with my friend and our 6 children ranging from 15yrs down to 15months. Ignore the bad reviews it's just people being pernickety, much better than Twycross and cheaper too plus you get a castle and a little fair ground too! The place is steeped in history, some of the enclosures are listed buildings as they date back to the 1930's hence they can't be knocked down and rebuilt!!! Some people are just ignorant and instead of asking about the... (read more)
★★★★☆
“brilliant day out”
Written on: 11/05/2012 by happyfamily
just wanted to write and say we came as a family on bank holiday and really had a great day.Its our 2nd visit but my mums first and she loved it all,we spent all day there and i cannot believe other reviews say there is nothing to see. A zoo day out is what you make it and if you and youre kids are expecting an all singing all dancing place then this is not for you.If you are expecting to have a nice stroll,a picnic and to learn about the animals then you will love Dudley and the fact it has... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Dudley Zoo - our day out. ”
Written on: 31/08/2011
I had not been to visit the zoo for years. The buildings are old and some need refurbishment, but the animals were well cared for and interesting. My grandaughter thoroughly enjoyed herself and although the place was hilly she loved walking and running around. We went on the land train, ideal for me as i can't walk up hills. My grandaughter loved all the animals and her experience was good. I would suggest that some of the young members of staff need to interact with the public more. ... (read more)
★★★★☆
“As an employee of Dudley zoo i am shocked at all of...”
Written on: 14/05/2011
As an employee of Dudley zoo i am shocked at all of the horrible reviews of the park. Many people seem to be very uneducated in the park itself! , unlike west midland safari park and Twycross, Dudley zoo is a CHARITY. we do not recieve any government funding what so ever so people saying " the place looks "shabby" that is because all of our money goes on the hundreds of animals that we house.The only money we recieve is from the public.
And as for this RIDICULOUS claim that the animals looks...
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“We organised a big family outing to the zoo and what a...”
Written on: 30/04/2011
We organised a big family outing to the zoo and what a huge disapointment it was. there were barely anything to see. The animals looked depressed and the petting zoo which was the main reason for going had nearly nothing there and the two zoo keepers that were on "duty" seemed offended that we bring our 3 year old daughter to see the baby animals. We had barley been in there 5 mins when they announced they were closing up early. the food was terribly disapointing we all felt a big sick after... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“My husband and i took our son to dudley zoo today and...”
Written on: 19/02/2011
My husband and i took our son to dudley zoo today and quite frankly i wish that we hadnt bothered. In fact it was so bad that we stayed only for an hour. To be honest i shed a tear tonight thinking of those poor animals that are housed in there. I have never been to a zoo or wildlife park that needed so much work doing to it that i think that it would be best just to bulldoze the lot and start again. Whoever owns dudley zoo should be ashamed of themselves. (read more)
★★★★★
“I think Dudley Zoo gets a bad press, mainly because of...”
Written on: 06/10/2010
I think Dudley Zoo gets a bad press, mainly because of the Tecton Buildings which tend to give it a rather sombre look rather than being appealing. Some animals weren't visible, but it was fairly cold and they were probably resting up!
On the plus side, the otters and the monkey enclosure was amazing! I was a bit worried because a couple jumped onto my mobility scooter and tried to rummage in the basket on the front but the keeper gently persuaded them to get off. Otters were gorgeous...
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★★★★★
“We took a large group of home educating families there...”
Written on: 02/10/2010
We took a large group of home educating families there yesterday and have to say how utterly brilliant it was! We have been to Chester Zoo twice but rate Dudley far more highly. There is a Monkey Zone that has Goeldis, Saki faced and Squirrel monkeys (with babies) which are able to approach you as you walk through which makes it so much more interactive and memorable. Besides this is a wallaby walk through and best of all, in my opinion, is the Lemur Wood which houses the most amazing... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Went to this zoo yesterday, what an awful place.This...”
Written on: 09/09/2010
Went to this zoo yesterday, what an awful place.This is no place to keep animals, they should be relocated to other zoos.The containments for the animals are far to small and there is nothing for the animals to do.The poor giraffe was desperately trying to reach greenery to eat, straining over the fencing to try to reach low growing shrubs, there was nothing for the animal to eat. The bear, tiger and orang -outang looked very depressed, just sitting and staring in unsuitable accommodation.... (read more)
Guest's Comment
Written on: 27/09/2011
I agree that this zoo should be closed down. Animals in very small enclosures, caged up birds that have barely room to fly. Don't get fooled by the charity status. By the way, you will be asked for a donation upon entering. If you want to give a donation then please wait until you have walked around. Very few of the animals contained in the zoo are in threat of extinction. I left feeling extremely depressed from my visit.
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See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 23 Reviews
★★☆☆☆
“Dudley Zoo was a big part of my childhood being the...”
Written on: 17/08/2010
Dudley Zoo was a big part of my childhood being the place we visited once a year as our summer treat, so my cousin and I decided to revisit it and try and revive some childhood memories. It certainly did that as I don't think anything has changed in over 40 years! The paint work is filthy, the enclosures are cramped and unsuitable for large animals and in the 2 hours we were there we saw 2 members of staff actually working!
A lot of the animals were no-where to be seen without any...
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“I went to Dudley Zoo for the first time when a was...”
Written on: 28/07/2010
I went to Dudley Zoo for the first time when a was about 9 or 10 years old and I ended up so upset that we didn't even walk all the way around the zoo. Although I was only a young child at the time I was still more than aware that the zoo was dirty, poorly maintained and the animal's enclosures left a great deal to be desired. I distinctly remember looking into a concrete pit at the penguins and becoming increasingly upset when I noticed that their water supply had dried out and had clearly... (read more)
★★★★☆
“Dudley Zoo seems to gain a lot of flack, which i...”
Written on: 26/07/2010
Dudley Zoo seems to gain a lot of flack, which i personally think is undeserved for the most part.
Firstly, some very important things that you need to bear in mind when going to this particular zoo:
1. In line with the castle part of the attraction, as with most castles being located on hills, just because Dudley has a zoo in the same recreational vicinity, doesn't make the topography any more 'user friendly'. While it offers a good work out, it isn't the most easily accessible place if...
(read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“I took my Daughter today for a day out at the zoo and...”
Written on: 20/06/2010
I took my Daughter today for a day out at the zoo and i was absolutely disgraced by the whole experience. firstly, the opening times clearly state 10am , 10.15 and i, along with a que of many are still standing there wondering what the hell is going on. Then someone arrived and casualy walked into his rusty entrance hut and opened the gate like he had no care in the world. The place is very poorly sign posted and alot of the animals were AWOL with no notice explaining why. I decided ill take... (read more)
★★★★★
“Took the family here yesterday, was abit unsure after...”
Written on: 11/04/2010
Took the family here yesterday, was abit unsure after reading the reviews. HOWEVER we had a fantastic day, my 2 year old loved it with lots to see and do. I admit you need the weather, but dont you for anything you wish to do outside. My son walked all round so the hills are not that bad,it makes it more adventurous. Dirty, its not dirty and very well looked after. Yes it could do with updating, ill be the first to admit i feel sorry for the animals in their enclosures but i feel like that... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“I visited the zoo last year with a few friends. It...”
Written on: 05/10/2009
I visited the zoo last year with a few friends. It needs alot of money putting into it, I found it dirty and run down. The animals were kept poorly and appeared lifeless with the exception of the orangutans that were distressed. In addition to this, me and my friends got whistled and leered at throughout the day by men running the outdated fairground that seemed to be falling apart. The food was overpriced so was the entrance fee. I took my cousins there a few years back, the way the animals... (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“i visted dudley zoo .and i thought it was poor vaule...”
Written on: 17/08/2009
i visted dudley zoo .and i thought it was poor vaule for money .all the animals didnt have any energy no life and seemed very depressed.i feel it was a very unhappy day for my family.as the children were looking forward to seeing the animals.and they seemed to have no life in them . (read more)
★★★★★
“Location, car park cost, good points. Needs some...”
Written on: 24/11/2008
Location, car park cost, good points. Needs some funding. Overall Dudley is a good zoo (read more)
★★★☆☆
“I visited Dudley zoo on the 12/05/08. It was very...”
Written on: 13/05/2008 by Sonisonia (5 reviews written)
I visited Dudley zoo on the 12/05/08. It was very quiet being a Monday afternoon which was nice and the weather was lovely. The food is quite expensive but it usually is at places like this. In my opinion some of the animal enclosures are not to great and leave you feeling a bit sorry for the animals, the Orangutans looked bored and cramped which did not seem very fair. Some of the animals I had been looking forward to seeing where not there which was disappointing and the sign posting is... (read more)
★★★★★
“Dudley Zoo and Castle is a fantastic day out for...”
Written on: 11/04/2008
Dudley Zoo and Castle is a fantastic day out for entire family. Chance to see both zoo and castle is excellent and educational, opportunities to learn about the history is great for both kids and adults. (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 11 - 20 of 23 Reviews
★★★★☆
“Dudley Zoo and Castle looks a bit run down to me and I...”
Written on: 14/08/2007 by kerrybongo
Dudley Zoo and Castle looks a bit run down to me and I think it could do with some funding, but a nice day out for younger children - maybe being a adult made me feel sorry for the animals. Luckily when I went the weather was nice, it only took around 2hrs to walk around the zoo, but it tired the kids out because of the hills. (read more)
★★★★☆
“A nice zoo if rather hilly. The bird and reptile house...”
Written on: 21/01/2007 by willtheman45 (20 reviews written)
A nice zoo if rather hilly. The bird and reptile house are very good and most enclosures are well made, the exception being the dreadful tiger pit enclosure. The lemurs have a brilliant area as do the chimps. It takes about 2 hours to get around and is well worth a visit. (read more)
★★★★☆
“What a pleasant surprise Dudley Zoo and Castle was!...”
Written on: 07/02/2006 by charlotte2005 (1 review written)
What a pleasant surprise Dudley Zoo and Castle was! Took a group of 6 young people (age 17) & 2 staff for an usual activity day. Car park wasn't signposted - neither was the entrance. All looked a bit bleak when we arrived but once we had paid (good student rates) there were some real treats. Wear comfy shoes and a few layers to enjoy the full extent of this jewel of the Black Country! Set against backdrop of castle, we were treated to an enormous variety of sights: penguins, reptile... (read more)
302085_Paulok's Response to charlotte2005's Review
Written on: 02/08/2007
This is a poor zoo overall. No parking signs. Difficult to get around. Teddy train does not run during dinner break as we were stranded for half hour at the top of the hill. Poorly set out map(to much room for error) when having to push prams. There are far to few animals. The Lion enclosure is surrounded by trees and shrubs so you have limited views for filming. We will stick with twycross zoo.
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Guest's Comment
Written on: 05/06/2011
Myself, my husband and 3 boys went to Dudley zoo for the day yesterday. We had a fantastic time and I'm really surprised at how many bad reviews the zoo has. The setting was really pretty and there were lots of animals to see and interact with. Reviews that I have read have moaned about the car park being behind shops. I can't see what the problem with that is. Also, there is lots of criticism regarding the buildings etc. Again...who cares as long as the animals are well cared or which they clearly are. I am glad that we weren't put off our visit after reading the reviews.