South Lakes Safari Zoo?

[OctopusNow]

Does anyone have an experience of South Lakes Safari Zoo at all please? I was planning on taking a trip there when we visit the Lake District but after reading some of the trip advisor reviews, I'm a bit concerned.
I know people are more inclined to leave a review if it's negative though so thought I'd ask.

We thought of visiting the Beatrix Potter place and maybe the safari zoo but any other Lake District attractions suitable for a 3 year old (in probably bad weather ☔️) would be greatly appreciated.

[Windydaysuponus]

We went to the zoo and the BP museum.
Dc were 4, 10, 12 +13.
You can dress up at the museum and all mine did!!
Even adult dd enjoyed herself!!

[Foslady]

It was years ago when we went but it was fab!

[OctopusNow]

Thanks for replying, that's put my mind at ease a bit.

If anyone has any other ideas, they are more than welcome!

[Saucery]

We were regular visitors a few years ago but wouldn’t visit that zoo now. Their handling of staff safety and animal welfare is abysmal, they refused to take on board advice on improvements so I doubt much has changed and in fact when we did give them the benefit of the doubt and go we had serious concerns about the state of the place compared to what it used to be.
It’s such a shame as they had a valuable role in breeding programmes and conservation but proved themselves not to be up to the task. I won’t support any place that allows animal neglect.

[Digestive28]

The zoo was shut down after lots of controversies but has recently been taken over by longleat, I’m not that sure as still same staff just new managers.
Where are you staying? If wet some good pools around, Wray castle in Ambleside and Allan Bank in Grasmere are good wet-ish weather. If 3 then would do haverthwaite steam train and lots of the steamer boats on Windermere have a downstairs part so sheltered from rain

[Digestive28]

There’s a show about peter rabbit often on in bowness that’s popular with small ones

[maddy68]

I love it there. Free roaming animals. It's only small and probably will only take up 1/2 day. But it's unique

[OctopusNow]

Thanks for all replies. Not sure where we are staying, trying to pick somewhere on trip advisor when I came across worrying reviews for the safari zoo.

My DC is obsessed with Beatrix Potter which is why we are going tbh and we could use a break but haven't planned anything yet.

Any nice b&bs near Windermere?

[needasleep]

Brockhole country park is great with trampling nets in the trees.

[Spied]

I'd not go to that zoo.
Beatrix Potter in Bowness is great.

[FreshwaterBay]

I would not go to any zoo. They keep animals in confinement.

[OctopusNow]

Obviously in an idea world, zoos would not be necessary but in reality, they perform a very important conservational role if run responsibly.
Often caring for orphaned animals and victims of the pet trade as well as running behavioural and breeding programs, good zoos should be supported in my opinion.

I know some will not agree and that's fine but this is a potential tourist question thread, not a morality debate.

[OctopusNow]

Thanks to PPs for the park recommendation and further endorsement for Beatrix Potter 🐰

[Littledinosaur]

If you go a bit further north you’ve got Muncaster Castle & The Ratty which are both fab.

[Piffyonarockbun]

I wouldnt go to the south lakes one again but there is a lovely one in bassenthwaite, keswick. The lake district wildlife park. Its really nice

[OctopusNow]

Ooh! Thanks for those suggestions, will check them out!

[Saucery]

Is that the Trotter’s World one, Piffy? We saw signs to that one when we were up there but didn’t go.

[user1497207191]

How about Lakeside & Haverthwaite steam railway combined with a visit to the Lakes Aquarium at Haverthwaite and/or the motor museum at Haverthwaite and/or a lake boat trip to Windermere to see the Beatrix Potter attraction (different to her house).

[MAFIL]

The South Lakes Zoo is under new management. I haven't been recently so can't comment directly, but I know there were a lot of problems a few years ago leading to its licence being withdrawn and the change of ownership followed.
The Beatrix Potter attraction in Windermere is nice for small children and I would second the above suggestion regarding the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway+ boat trip and aquarium. I think the motor museum is really good but probably not enough to entertain a 3 year old. Ditto the steam boat museum in Windermere - interesting for adults and older children but not so much tinies. Though if you are coming at half term there may be activities on aimed at younger children.There are 2 good forestry commision places if you get decent weather - Grizedale and Whinlatter. Both have nice walks and cafes and Grizedale definitely has activities related to the new Shaun the Sheep movie on at present, not sure about Whinlatter. They will probably both have activities on for half term though, as will Brockhole and a lot of National Trust properties. The Rheged Centre near Penrith often have children's activities on in the holidays too. Also in the Penrith area, Lowther Castle has one of the best outdoor play areas I have ever seen, though 3 might be a bit little to make the most of it.
I think all the other places I would have suggested have already been mentioned. I agree the wildlife park near Bassenthwaite (used to be Trotters....name has changed now) is good if weather is ok. Oh, and there is an alpaca place near Penrith too. In fact there are alpacas all over the place now! Probably too far if you are staying in South Lakes, but Walby Farm Park near Carlisle is one of the better examples of that kind of attraction. Can't think of any more just now but I will post again if I think of anything else.

[cricketmum84]

We went about 5 years ago and really enjoyed it, especially the open small monkey enclosure. Not sure if ray ha s much bearing on how it is now though sorry!

Muncaster castle was really good, my parents have taken the kids there quite a few times and they always absolutely love it there.

Love the boat trips across Windermere, they give a good talk about the history of Windermere with lots of snippets of interesting information. There is also a light railway at the south end of lake Windermere.

[Chocarocker]

The zoo had problems a few years ago but has been taken over now and lots of changes have been made. We have been a couple of times since then and my 3 year old loves it.

[Hopingtobeamum]

We went with two kids 8 and 11 at the time, absolutely amazing. We all had a fab time. Even saw snow leopards. Go for it x

[OctopusNow]

The wildlife park in Keswick looks lovely, thanks for that, I'd not heard of it.
We are planning on doing the World of Beatrix Potter and might check out the railway and other attractions.

I've not been to the Lake District since I was a kid and have hazy memories of feeling sick on a boat on lake Windermere, gorgeous scenery though!

[OctopusNow]

Walby farm park looks good too, thanks @MAFIL .

Not sure where we are staying yet, have to find somewhere.... Need to get off trip advisor and go to sleep

[GunpowderGelatine]

I went a few years ago with the kids - deeply regret it. The animals look miserable and squashed in, it used to be far more open but they've built so much new crap there's not much room for manoeuvre. It's a pretty depressing place and cemented my ideology that zoos are essentially cruel and I won't be going to one ever again