Howletts Zoo Park

Ideal Zoo for children under 12's if in a group! The Treetop Challenge had extremely helpful staff who fell backwards to assist my severely autistic son around the course he throughly enjoyed an activity which at other locations is not accessible to him due to his disabilities.So definately alot of Disability Awareness there.Also a host came out and greeted our little group in the car park and let us through a side entrance very very impressive.Not many animals on view until it cooled down which one can appreciate.Yes animals looked bored at times but so would you in hot weather.The staff were seen by us interacting with the animals every available chance they had.One gorilla was seen trying to mimic the keeper very funny!Seeing the animals was a hit and miss affair.The toilets were very slippery and the floors very wet a complete nightmare in both girls and boys toilets.The gift shop did not have hardly anything available within the pocket money range of a Fiver given to the little people in the group.Children left disappointed that the shop next to the Pavilion Restaurant was out of their price range.As for the selection of hot food available for children the price was a shocker and totally limited and no choices of an healthy option at all.No surprise that parents pack a packed lunch for their children for the day.The restaurant prices could involve more healthier choices and cheaper ones for both adults and children.The only thing to get top marks from me is the customer service around the park especially at the Treetop Challenge!!!! The low marks would go to the gift shop,the filty toilets and the value for money.The playground gets boring for the children over the age of eight after about half an hour.Very babyish for them.Not enough scope to have an adventurous play.Lots of firemens poles which need adult help to rise or descend quite annoying after the 50th time! Take note.If cheaper or on a buy one adult and one child goes at a reduced rate then yes go if under 12.If not one will be debt-riddled by the price.

Well at first i was impressed with the large Gorilla enclosure , but in a very short time i noticed that many of the animals weren't able to be seen due to overgrown of the surrounding vegetation . nearly all of the inclosure's were very old and in need of a update..plus many of the smaller Cat pens were in dark areas of the zoo , almost as if these animals had been forgotten about,these were small and looked un interesting for the animals , this was shown by the animals showing signs of stress and boredom .. it was not at all like their natural habitat..I also found the whole zoo area very smelly with not enough water within the areas for the animals to bathe and relax in..

Over all i was very disappointed, with the condition of pens and enclosures within the place..therefore i wont be visiting Howletts Zoo Park again.

We just got back from Howletts Zoo Park and I must say that we were very disappointed as we've hardly seen anything at all!

Our 22 month old toddler adores animals so we took him there as a treat, he wasn't impressed and got bored very quickly. Nothing much to see or do, a few monkeys and far away elephants did not justify the money we've paid. We've spend around £50 for a few hours (entry + over priced lunch at the cafe) and would have been better off sending the money to the RSPCA!

Needless to sey that we'd never go there again.

I've been visiting Howletts Zoo Park for many years. I understand what they're trying to do and why, but sadley things are starting to go bad here. I visited today and I think the management may have gone insane.

We took our 3 year old granddaughter to Howletts Zoo Park, and she loved it all the time she was there. It is very good value for the price you pay!

The toilets were very clean, and the zoo was quite busy.

I will go again.

Animals privacy well respected at Howletts Zoo Park so sometimes may not see everything, however we found patience was rewarded! My son loved it as he got to see his favourite animals and recognised the keepers from 'roar'.

There is only a small selection of animals at Howletts Zoo Park, and many of them are similar (lots of Gibbons). Many of them were not in view. The zoo claims that it is animal friendly and that the animals are happy. They seemed particularly bored when I saw them. The zoo projects itself as not having attractions/activities like other zoos. The aim is to just observe the animals in their cages/paddocks. Plus some talks. I was disappointed to find that the recreated Anglo Saxon Village was not yet built. And this seems typical of what is perhaps a pattern of self-indulgence. Despite notices that that it would be finished by 2005, it seemed to be less than half of what was supposed to happen. I think zoos like Whipsnade, Paradise Wildlife Park and London Zoo etc. are much better. They have more variety and activities, and the animals seem to be livelier and happier.