Twycross Zoo, Atherstone Twycross Zoo

Very disappointed I went on Friday 2/8/2013 there was not a lot to see only monkeys and a lot of the cages where empty the sealions had gone the cabarra where nowhere to been seen no tapirs . went into a enclouser saying walk with the lemurs not one lemur in sight , found the zoo very dirty food terrible and very expensive. the zoo is not well kept at all very overgrown they need to pull there finger out and do something about it , I went a few years back and it was a great place to be but now I would not go again or recommend anyone else to go. VERY DISAPPOINTED

JANICE

We chose a great day weather wise took the grandchildren out £49.00 happy to pay that but wanted to thrill the kids

They were dissapointed by empty cages and the variety of animals after the let down with the animals the adventure playground was closed except for the train

Pull your finger out guys

If you do your research you will find that Twycross is known for its work with primates and conservation of a few very rare species.

So don't be surprised if you see a lot of Apes/Monkeys/Gorillas and other assorted primates, They are all great to see and many are fun to watch, our grandchildren were kept fasinated for ages.

Also dont be surprised to see some very rare creatures such as Amur Leopards(probably the most beautiful of all the large cats and only 30 - 40 left in the wild) the two they have are beautiful. I was eye to eye with one with only inches between us a very moving experience.

You can also see the very rare pair of Snow Leopards and when we went they had two cubs, (these are visible from the main restaurant which is free to enter and serves good food at a very reasonable price) an experience I will not forget as seeing these animals in the wild is an encounter most will never have the opportunity to achieve.

If you have problems with mobility, do as I did and hire a scooter everywhere is accessible and it made the day a great experience. Yes the signage is a little lacking but treat it as a challenge to find and see everything and enjoy

We will all go back again

The Last time I visited Twycross Zoo was back in 2004, After our visit yesterday I think I can honestly say I don't mind leaving it another 8 years before I go again.

(1) I found the Zoo to be very dirty, I didn't see and designated Smoking areas for smokers and as a result the grassed areas where covered in Fag butts, not ideal for picnicking DISGUSTING!!.

(2) There didn't seem to be enough hand washing facilities dotted about, I know there where toilets in areas but in 2 that we visited there was no soap, and even no loo roll, the toilet floor was a disgrace in 1 cubical, we passed the same loo on our way out and went in to use the facility only to find it in the same state.

(3) The whole pathway around the Zoo was covered in cheep dusty gravel, it was a really windy day yesterday, and as a result we were covered in dirt by the time we left because of the dust storm, my daughters trousers are ruined, wheelchair users seem to really struggle to get round because the Gravel paths were so difficult to push a wheelchair on.

(4) I think there should be more signage giving detailed information about ALL animals, not just a few, i.e. Food, habitat,, Behaviour age likely to live to in both the wild and captivity Breeding ect, the poor lack of information made the experience uninteresting as I wasn't able to answer the questions being asked by the little ones who where with us.

(5) At the monkey enclosure my daughter and her cousins watch the impressive Vocal display given to us by the Gibbons, only to be completely spoilt by my daughter cutting her arm on the gagged wire from the fence that has clearly be Neglected, there was no-one around to ask for help so we patched her up and Stopped the bleeding.

(6) At this point id had enough, we were all covered in Dust, my daughter was covered in dust and blood on her trousers, we arrived at 10:30am and left at 2:30pm. We travelled from Horncastle in Lincolnshire and I feel it was a waist of time, it cost £39 for my Husband Myself and Daughter to get in.

I really could go on and on but I think you get the picture, I WON'T BE RUSHING BACK.

Nice enough..but,not well enough signed to tell you where the animals are,a lot of signs on the cages are not that clear or informative,

disappointed not to see any lions or tigers..on a positive note,the staff were pleasant and helpful enough..The elephant enclosure was very impressive,and if you like monkeys........theres lots

It cost £35 for 3 of us to get in... Fair enough. We got in and saw some monkeys, then some monkeys, then some more monkeys. Walked round the corner saw more monkeys and a pigeon.. But that flew off. More monkeys round the next corner then a camel and some monkeys. Think you know where I'm going here.

No tigers, leopards, lions, rhinos, tropical fish ... Very very disappinted. The place is very poorly sign posted to where things are, but I've just realised that's because there is nothing.

There wasn't even any signs in it saying there were no lions tigers etc...oh yes there was Inside the zoo after i paid £35...top banana!!!!

Pony!!!! Don't bother

This place isn't a zoo it's a monkey sanctuary. Go to whipsnade or Colchester, loads better!!!!!!!

Visited Twycross Zoo on the 27 June 2009.Paid £11 an adult x2 to get in (with gift aid donation of £1). and £7 for a child. Overall, expensive, not many animals other than monkeys, a lot of enclosures are either empty or badly designed so you cannot get near to them (reindeer case in point). Food prices are extortionate, more than motorway service stations (and that's saying something). The animal petting area was virtually void of animals.TBH you are better off going to Ash End Farm for a much better experience for your kids and a cheaper one at that.

I'm writing as a photographer first and foremost, so much of what I write must be related to that fact.Parking was a pleasure and there was plenty of space, with attendants guiding us to the available spots. Many of the animals are behind glass and so if its a sunny day, as it was when I went, taking photos is not going to be without problems.While there were some creatures behind chain-link fencing, which you can stick your lens through to get 'that shot', there were some birds that were behind 'chicken-wire' which makes for some very ugly shots indeed.I was particularly disappointed with the elephant enclosure. They were out in the open and yet there were bars all the way around, meaning there is no way to get a photo without a bar running all the way across your subject matter. (You could take a step-ladder which might help a little.)In terms of photography, the birds sections are best, particularly where the flamingos, storks, and such like are housed. There are plenty of good angles and the birds seem to be very used to it so don't run off the second that you approach.If you're thinking of getting great shots of the leopards and lions, forget it. They are both behind glass, and I have to say, it wasn't very clean glass either.Generally, you have to work quite hard to get good photos at Twycross, as there are several sections that look run-down (possibly in the process of renovation), and you end up shooting photos against breeze-block walls and such-like.If I weren't a photographer, I'd love the place and would visit often. As a photographer, I have to say that there are far better zoos.That said, I did enjoy my day and it was certainly value for money.

Well I can safely say Twycross Zoo is one of my favourite zoos now. Its not huge but its a good size which is good because all the big attractions are in a reasonable distance. There were lots of monkeys some of which I had never heard of in good ecnlosures with lots of play things. Loved the elephants who were in a simply excellent enclosure as well as the selaions-some of the features in their enclosure were fantastic! I also liked the leopards-beautiful and in a cracking enclosure. The tropical house was a wonderful creation and it was great with lots of free animals!!!

The cafes were self-service the food was quite good however it was not the best. There are three cafes.

There are tow shops one large, one small we went in the samll one it had a good range of stock but itr was a little dear (aren't they all!)

There is a kiddies area with some nice rides and crazy gold as well as a lovely little railway which costs a pound.

Prices are around eight pound for an adult which I think is very reasonable and it is open from 10am-5.30pm (I THINK!)

Parking is free

really good day out will be going again!

Well worth a visit for the Primates alone. Improving all the time and easy to visit if you are disabled. As with most Wildlife Parks the Staff are very enthusiastic and helpful. Reasonably good for photography. Very good variety of animals of many species, new Bird and Borneo walkways add a much-needed change to the old Zoo format. New Elephant enclosure is superb, two houses now for mature and young Gorillas; Amur Leopard enclosure superb. Twycross suffers from the 'fund raising restaurant' syndrome of most wildlife parks and is very expensive with very basic food. This is understandable given the cost of running a Zoo/Wildlife Park, but makes a family meal a major spend. The Tropical House is too small and was produced at the expense of any invertebrates.