I have pretty much owned a zoo pass to colchester for 7 years since I had Stanley and we still enjoy going especially the kids. After all who doesnt love a trip to the zoo. A yearly zoo pass is such great value for money as these so much to see and do at Colchester zoo. Even if its pouring with rain these always the indoor play area, as well as a few indoor enclosures to keep the kids entertsined. Colchester zoo is also brilliant just for a day out if you dont live close enough for the pass to be worth it.
The zoo has changed alot since I 1st started going regularly. It’s constantly getting better and better all the time. My firm favourite for many years was Rajang the orangutan who sadly passed just over a year ago. He was incredibly special to me as he kissed all 3 of my bumps thought the glass and use to spend loads of time starting poking them! Recently the zoo has seen plenty of new arrivals many from breeding programs. My firm favourites at the moment are the 3 baby tiggers, the baby lepoard and the baby rhino. I’m very keen to meet the baby armadillo.
At colchester zoo these a huge variety of animals and a number of walk through enclosers. You can feed the goats and the Australian rainbow lorikeets which is always fun. The train takes you to a walk through lemurs enclosure where if you are really lucky you can get really close! Twice a day you can also feed the giraffes and elephants too. These a nature walk and bird watching hut which is perfect for eating a pack lunch in while seeing what you can spot. Colchester zoo has put real effort in to make the zoo as interactive as possible, the animal encounters are not to be missed especially the tiger one. The sensation station gives you the opportunity to pet all different kinds of small animals. Than these the discovery centre where you can hold bugs and play in a interactive sand pit.
Colchester zoo has the cleanest indoor play area I have ever been too! The indoor was updated a few years ago which they maintain incredibly well with regular deep cleans. The play area is so much fun with a mixture of your traditional soft play and interactive techonolgy. We some times just go to the soft play on a rainy day. These also a number of fun parks dotted around the zoo so can sit down for a cuppa and let the kiddies play.
Food wise at colchester zoo these something for everyone and gold card holders get 10% off. If you are on a tight budget I recommend grabbing some cheesy chips next to the tiger enclosure but if you are looking for something a bit more fancy the patisserie is the place to go. Pengunis resturant has the most variety and SFC is you typical fast food dinner serving burgers and chips. These also lots of smaller cafes servering delicious cakes, sandwiches and lighter meals. I have to say Colchester zoo serves the best hot chocolates!
The zoo has lots of different events on over the year my eldest son and I’s firm favourite is the Halloween nights (which is supplement of £5) the staff at colchester zoo put on a incredibly scary but fun event. With a haunted house, Halloween train and much more. During the day it’s a toned down family event what younger children can enjoy. My younger 2 children favourite last year was the magic of Christmas event you can visit santa, see the reindeers, there are all sorts of fun events & shows through out the day. We also loved the dinosaurs day too!
We have some many happy memories from colchester zoo and plenty more to come!
Jolene's Crazy Family of 6! 