Twycross Zoo for Christmas

Twycross Zoo is a registered charity in the East Midlands with over 500 animals and 150 species who are working for endangered species survival by contributing to breeding programmes. We used our last Stay, Play, Explore voucher to visit Twycross Zoo for Christmas.

About Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo is split into different sections, clearly labelled on the map. There is a vast variety of animals and insects from Butterflies, to pets, to Meerkats, to Monkeys, Giraffes and Elephants. The day is divided into a number of talks which really helped to understand more about not only the animals (including threats to extinction) but the important work taking place at Twycross Zoo and what can be done at home to further help the animals’ conservation. This can be as small as reusing plastic bags to adopting an animal.

Twycross Zoo had a great mix of indoor and outdoor places to explore (which was great for us when it absolutely poured down with rain). I was really impressed with the amount of play areas for the children – good for letting off that excess excitement during the festive season – but also good for when their interests were wavering. There is a Himalaya food hall (which was very festive) and other fast food outlets around the park (although the latter were not open when we visited the Saturday before Christmas). There is also plenty of places to sit and eat a picnic – even under shelter. There were also plenty of toilets, which were clean enough.

Twycross Zoo for Christmas

Still available from now until Christmas Eve (open 10am-5pm) – and includes:

• The opportunity to have breakfast and/or supper with Santa (limited availability and booking required)
• Visit Father Christmas (Grotto within the Himalaya Centre, which is before the entrance to the Zoo) £9.50 per child (£8.50 to members of Twycross Zoo). Including a chance to meet Santa and the Elves, a quality themed present, professionally taken photo in a souvenir wallet, return zoo admission voucher for a free child visit when accompanied by 2 full paying adults – valid until 31^st January 2016).
• Twycross Zoo members can enjoy a 20% discount on retail and catering.
• We found many Christmas present ideas with 50% off.
• The Twelve Days of Zoo Christmas – activity book and Festive Trail (which the children received sweets for at the end FREE of charge).
• Buy a bag of Reindeer Food. NOTE: This is for you to put out for Father Christmas’ Reindeers on Christmas Eve. Twycross Zoo has NO reindeer.

Conclusion of Twycross Zoo for Christmas

I think that Twycross Zoo in general had a lot of fun built-in for children, including fun facts as well as plenty of play areas. There was a nice mix of things that could be at home (either in terms of animals or what you could do to help), and learning about the wild. It was great that we were able to get so close to the animals, whilst maintaining knowledge that we were safe (because let’s be honest even when there’s no need to be frightened children may still become fearful). The talks were really insightful and the lady very patiently waited and answered any questions she could at the end.

I didn’t like the fact that we had to go past a soft play area (which is £4.50 each for non-members) to get to the Zoo entrance, and we ended up in the queue for Father Christmas thinking that it was the entrance queue. But these are really minor things. That and it was a lot muddier than we anticipated so next time we would take our wellies. Parking was very muddy in some places – but free.We had not booked any of the Father Christmas things as our boys have seen him a fair few times these holidays already. But the park was light up all nicely and it was great to get them outdoors in the fresh air. There were plenty of fun photo opportunities – including sitting in a Twycross Zoo sledge.I think it was nice that there were quite a few people around (given that it was panic Saturday and a very wet one at that) – but not to many that we couldn’t enjoy ourselves. I really loved the Butterfly house and it not being too busy meant that I really got a good opportunity to take a few Butterfly pictures. I liked The Twelve Days of Zoo Christmas book and trail – particularly how it explained facts like how long Giraffes sleep in terms of how Father Christmas needs to be quick delivering his presents. I think Twycross Zoo did a great job of raising awareness of being more environmentally friendly for both adults and children – again this had been related to Christmas such as making sure wrapping paper and packaging is recycled.

Other Stay, Play, Explore Posts of interest:

About Stay, Play, Explore Leicestershire

Twinlakes Theme Park

Conkers

National Space Centre

We received free entry to Twycross Zoo using a Stay, Play, Explore voucher we were given free of charge to help promote Leicestershire. All words are honest and my own.