Tropical Forest, Syon Park?

[suestudio]

Has anyone been to The Tropical Forest at Syon Park? I'm looking for a weatherproof day out!

Is there anywhere decent to eat nearby? I don't really feel like packing up a picnic as it's a bit of a journey to get there, but I don't want to be stuck with overpriced/unhealthy food options.

Will a visit there take up a day, is it worth trying to get there for opening time? It looks quite small, but we probably would want to try different activities/wait for feeding times etc.

Thanks!

I went with my dc a few years ago (they were 4 + 2 at the time). It was great. they got to hold snakes around their necks and pick up and watch ghastly things - spiders etc (I practically hid at the back).
I'd ring first and find out what time they do a talk / holding animals session and time my trip around that.
Food: not too bad - expensive but good. they do those picnic boxes - child gets to choose 5 items for £5 (don't trust me on quantity or cost - just a rough idea) and there was also hot food - but good stuff not just the sausages and chips option.
We probably stayed 2-3 hours.
It's not huge but it is different and fun.
Advice? Call them and ask for feeding times / talk / interactive sessions and find out the menu and prices.