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Original poster

Edinburgh zoo vs Blair Drummond

21 replies

HarveySpectorWins · 08/08/2021 17:15

DD asked this morning if we could go to the Zoo but I've never been to Edinburgh zoo so just wondering which people think is best?

We have done Blair Drummond a few times & thought the dinosaurs were great the last time too but wondering if we are missing out on anything by not going to Edinburgh. DD is 3.

We have also done five sisters but think it will be one of the other two this time.

Thanks

OP posts:

ApolloandDaphne · 08/08/2021 17:20

Edinburgh Zoo is lovely, although it has been a while since we last went. Blair Drummond is good too and might be more interactive and has a great play area. If your DD has asked to to the zoo then on balance I would take her to Edinburgh.

Scbchl · 08/08/2021 17:21

1 million percent Blair Drummond. Zoo has loadssss of uphill walking. Blair Drummond is far more accessible within the park. The drive through safaris brilliant. There's loads more fun things for the kids to do. The dinosaur walk through is also great.

emmathedilemma · 08/08/2021 17:35

Edinburgh zoo is on the side of Corstorphine hill so it’s hard work for small ones. I’ve taken a buggy even when said child hardly still used it but then pushing it up the hills wasn’t easy either! It’s nice enough and you might be lucky enough to see the pandas. The new big cat enclosures are much better than the old ones and the kids tend to love the penguins. The chimp house is also really good. Take a picnic if you go as the food outlets aren’t great.

thedevilinablackdress · 09/08/2021 09:02

Re. hills at Edinburgh, I think there is a wee road train that takes you to the top so you can start from there and work down. There used to be...

Babdoc · 09/08/2021 09:13

Unless the 3 year old has mobility issues, they should easily be able to get up Corstorphine hill! It’s only 528 feet (161 metres) for goodness’ sake. I took my DDs there at that age many years ago.
It’s a beautiful site, attractively planted, and has some gorgeous and unusual toys in the gift shop. DD bought a lovely toy plush lemur.
It’s on the 31 bus route, but there is a fair sized car park on site. Lovely day out, with a penguin parade and the chance to see the pandas. Tip - book the panda slot for late afternoon, they are more active then than in the morning.

Groovee · 09/08/2021 16:21

@thedevilinablackdress

Re. hills at Edinburgh, I think there is a wee road train that takes you to the top so you can start from there and work down. There used to be...

Yeah stopped now but can't remember if it was due to Covid or financial reasons.

I live near the zoo and had membership for years when my 2 were wee. It is nice and we've done 2 after hour events in the last few months which has been a quieter way to see the zoo.

ElephantOfRisk · 09/08/2021 16:32

I think they are both good but in different ways. I only ever went to the zoo as a child because we didn't drive or have a car so the safari park was a bit awkward. However I live near it now and the DC always loved it, it's really easy to fill a day as there is a lot to do other than just walking about looking at the animals. Not sure if everything is open re covid, but as well as the animal shows (birds and sea lions etc) which you can go to, there are paddle boats, the zip wire, decent play area, big slide, face painting, boat ride, small shows, cafe and shop and you can take stuff and have a bbq. Only took DC to the zoo once but can't remember there being as much other than the animals but probably a bigger variety of things to see plus penguins etc

Thegoldgrind · 09/08/2021 20:07

Mine are 2 and 4 and much prefer Blair Drummond, there just seems to be much more to it! We got the season ticket and it's been great value for money, we've been most weeks and they are still excited about it 👍🏻

ISpyCobraKai · 09/08/2021 20:09

Edinburgh Zoo.
They've just got new Giraffes.
Dd got engaged at the Otter enclosure recently

Notthisnotthat · 09/08/2021 20:16

My daughter is 6 years old but the size of a 3/4 year old with mobility issues and she managed the hill at Edinburgh zoo fine, we went uphill first stopping off at all of the different animals on the way, the giraffes are amazing. We spent about 4 and a half hours there in total and had a great time and we were all tired. We did Blair Drummond last summer and although the drive through safari was good (we went through 3 times) Edinburgh Zoo is definitely worth a visit.

My older daughter loved the special night time opening at the zoo when she went with a friend.

Cukku · 09/08/2021 20:19

Blair Drummond is great. The bird show is fantastic, and the seal show is good too (if not closed due to Covid). Enjoyed the boat trip round chimp island, the zip wire, and there are big slides which suit teens. The tigers were really lively - we watched them climb trees. And the safari is really enjoyable. There seemed to be a lot less to Edinburgh zoo, though the penguins were good. We managed not to see the pandas, somehow. Some bits were shut (though pre-Covid), but maybe we were unlucky.

Invisimamma · 09/08/2021 21:34

I much prefer Blair Drummond. But if she's asked for the zoo then go to the zoo.

Mrsjayy · 09/08/2021 21:40

If she wants to go to the zoo take her to the zoo we went recently and my god the hills but its a lovely day out. I love five sisters over Blair Drummond

Smeds · 13/08/2021 09:10

We went to Blair Drummond the other day with a 3 and a 5 year old. I think Edinburgh Zoo has more animals? I could be wrong. DCs loved BD for the dinosaurs and playparks etc. Edinburgh zoo definitely more of a challenge to walk around (my 5yo has mobility issues so I'm biased)

I prefer Almond Valley Heritage Centre (Mill Farm) for an overall day out.

PrivateParty · 13/08/2021 20:31

Nah, the last time we went to the zoo.. It was rubbish. No animals to see and a long walk.. Meandering with no clear direction and was knackering. We have much better times at the safari park and the 5 sisters.

LadyDanburysHat · 19/08/2021 16:01

I think Blairdrummond is better too. You have a huge play area and it just feels way more spacious than the Zoo.

FionnulaTheCooler · 19/08/2021 16:04

They're both good but I would advise waiting until at least October to go to the zoo, last time I visited in late summer we were absolutely plagued by wasps all day. Only visited in the winter since then.

MonsterJammin · 19/08/2021 16:09

100% Blair Drummond. We can easily spend the whole day there without anyone getting fed up and the big play park is an added bonus. The last time we went to the zoo all the animals seemed to be hiding. It's still good but BD is much better value for money.

Direwolfwrangler · 20/08/2021 13:40

Blair Drummond has just been cleared of animal welfare concerns but has an improvement plan in place. I much prefer Edinburgh Zoo due to their clear links to conservation, breeding programmes etc.

Noshowwithoutpunch · 20/08/2021 13:43

I love Edinburgh Zoo.
My favourite by far.

Woeismethischristmas · 20/08/2021 13:49

I prefer Blair Drummond as it feels like you can spend the day there, play park, boat ride, zip slide, pedalillos plus the animals. It’s a nice rounded experience for the kids. The zoo seems really expensive in comparison.

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