Hamerton Zoo

We live locally so we go to Hamerton a lot. They've made a lot of improvements over the last couple of years and there are lots of new animals to see.

DD1 loves visiting the zoo, it's very child-friendly and has a large play area. Some parts are a bit run down but they always have something new on the go.

If you're an animal geek then there's plenty to see, there are several species that you won't see anywhere else in the UK. There are also sheep and goats that you can feed and tons of red kites swooping over to nick food off the zoo animals.

If you live nearby then it's well worth getting a season pass, they are such good value for money.

Plus points :
lots of animals to see including tigers (which actually have a reasonable sized enclosure), monkeys and birds.
If you live locally a season ticket works out pretty cheap.

Negative points :
staff are generally unavailable and unhelpful. They tend to congregate in the tiny cafe and ignore you (bring your own food and they only serve a couple of sandwhiches and only in peak season).
Some of the enclosures and cages (especially the bird ones) are tiny and grotty. They do appear to be doing the place up slowly so hopefully this will change though.

This is an excellent place to take a toddler (DS is 2) If you're local, its a bargain to buy an annual pass - otherwise it can get pretty pricey.

There are lots of exotic animals to see - DS is most fond of the monkeys and the donkeys and camels, and in the summer they often let the smaller farm animals such as the baby goats, out to roam 'free' (still in a gated area) so the children can feed them. Its a large area so the kids can have a good runabout - and there is a large play area - although this isnt all that suitable for the littlies - its more for older children. I believe there is a cafe - have never used it as there is a picnic area so we always take our own food. Theres also a small gift shop.

Overall its a great place to take your kids to while away a few hours - we tend to go off season - just get DS in his waterproofs and let him have a good run about. Its safe and clean (although the toilets arent fantastic - clean enough but run down and a bit grotty - hoping at some point they'll find the money to do them up a bit)