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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Black Country Museum and Dudley Zoo?

18 replies

whoopstheregoesmymerkin · 07/01/2010 21:14

Can anyone let me know what they are like now? I haven't been for over 20 years, have they improved since then (super scabby anmals back in the day)? Is it worth a day out? I am looking for a family spring outing with a 43yo, 4yo, a 18 mo

OP posts:
Guimauve · 07/01/2010 21:19

Went to both a few years ago now - BCM still fab (fair, trip down mine, tunnel, Bottle&Glass for the 43 year old ) but Zoo still faded and animals quite sad, the elephants especially. They did have fantastic (and enormous) new chimpanzee enclosure though.

Washersaurus · 07/01/2010 21:19

I always leave Dudley Zoo feeling a bit sad inside for those poor animals (the mangy looking lion especially) - I haven't been for around 3 years or so but it hadn't changed much in the preceeding 10 since my previous visit. Go to the West Mids Safari Park instead if you want animals. Drayton Manor have animals aswell (and lots of other stuff these days too I believe)

I have never ever been to Black Country Museum.

JaneiteIsAWimpyTeacher · 07/01/2010 21:21

BCM v good but you need decent weather if at all poss and then you can spend all day there.

Zoo - not been for years and would never, ever go back there.

How about Birmingham Nature Centre?

LunarSea · 07/01/2010 21:24

BCM is good - and they take tesco Clubcard Days Out vouchers too which can make it a less expensive day out.

Original poster
whoopstheregoesmymerkin · 07/01/2010 21:24

Oh I was hoping that everyone was going to say the zoo had got their act together
thank you though, I think I may do it.
I want a cheap birthday weekend for DH and the kids and my ulterior motive is that I was at uni in Dudley and haven't been back since...

OP posts:
kormachameleon · 07/01/2010 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
whoopstheregoesmymerkin · 07/01/2010 21:26

I think BCM and sealife sounds like a goer, and dragging the kids round to my old student digs and haunts!
I shall wave Korma!

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Washersaurus · 07/01/2010 21:32

Argh just deleted my post by accident.

Sealife not really a 'day' out IME (more like 1 hour or so at best)

Is the Severn Valley Railway near enough?

Guimauve · 07/01/2010 21:37

Yes, Sealife good. I feel sorry for the zoo though - they must need all the income they can get to feed the inmates

Original poster
whoopstheregoesmymerkin · 07/01/2010 21:50

sealife would be good as it would fill the afternoon when we get there
I have told DH I am taking him on a mystery tour. Oh how he will laugh when he knows he is going to Dudley
PMSL!!!

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Guimauve · 07/01/2010 21:55

I'd love a mystery tour of Dudley - you can't get a proper hot pork sandwich in Kent for love nor money!

Perhaps a proper tour on the Black Country Beer Bus afterwards will appease him!

Original poster
whoopstheregoesmymerkin · 07/01/2010 22:08

Oh sigh, I used to live near a hot pork shop on Wolverhampton Street. We shall eat like Kings for the weekend! gravy dripping down your fingers and a lump of lardy cake for afters.
just booked unsalubrious Travelodge. I am so excited!

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AvadaKedavra · 07/01/2010 22:17

How about after the BCM (do the trip under the castle in the canal boats, fascinating and prmise me you'll have faggots for lunch!) to go to the museum in Dudley to see the fossils and then a tramp round Wrens Nest nature reserve?

BTW you'll get a free return visit voucher like at the safari park at BCM.

pollywollydoodle · 07/01/2010 22:23

BCM then book at Ma Pardoes in Netherton for food (faggots and peas etc) and Real Ale

abbierhodes · 07/01/2010 22:33

Dudley zoo is lovely now, far better than it used to be. (Been in last 6 weeks)

The zoo at Drayton Manor is horrific.

Twycross is the nicest in the area, I think.

I also second the recommendation for West Mids Safari Park...best day out I've had with my kids.

JaneiteIsAWimpyTeacher · 07/01/2010 22:40

Yes, zoo at Drayton Manor is vile.

Severn Valley Railway v good but not sure of distance.

Omg to the pub crawl bus thing: I had to endure it once and it was awful. I felt like I needed to spend a week in the bath after it. It didn't help, I guess, that I was sober.

Washersaurus · 07/01/2010 22:43

Feeling bad for animals at Drayton Manor too now. I haven't been for a long long time and never ever saw the animals

Guimauve · 08/01/2010 07:05

Ooooh, yes, the shop in Wolverhampton Street is the very one I was thinking of (used to work at Boots in the Marketplace) , though for preference I would recommend Take-a-bite in Quarry Bank DH is made to take me for pork sandwiches every time we visit my parents!

Faggots for lunch, om nom nom, although I would say fish and chips at the BCM too - IIRC they fry the chips in LARD . More om nom nom for Ma Pardoes!

Glad to hear the zoo is picking up. It would be brilliant if they got the chair lift thing working again, I've never been on that.

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