Bristol Zoo Gardens

Clifton, Bristol, Avon BS8 3HA

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Opening Times

The Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.

Opening times are 9am to 5:30pm in peak season and until 5pm off-peak, with the last admission an hour before closing. Animal houses close half an hour before zoo closing time.

Admission Prices

Adults:

£15.95

Children (2-14):

£9.75

Children under 2:

Free

Children 15-18/Senior Citizens/Students/Disabled adult:

£13.90

Disabled child:

£7.50

Carer for paying disabled adult:

Free

Online discounts, season tickets and group rates also available; see zoo's website for details.

Description

Bristol Zoo Gardens is the fifth oldest zoo in the world and was awarded `Zoo of the Year' in 2004 by the Good Britain Guide. It is set in Clifton, Bristol, near Brunel's famous Suspension Bridge over the spectacular Avon Gorge, and has an excellent reputation for conservation and innovation. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Bristol and was the setting for the children's TV programme Animal Magic.

There are an amazing 400 species at the zoo from love beetles to lions. Many of the exhibits are under cover and so you can enjoy many of the attractions whatever the weather.

New for 2006 was the Monkey Jungle, featuring five species of monkeys and lemurs in a naturalistic environment. This is an immersive forest experience where you can fill your senses with the sights, sounds and smells of the jungle. It also allows you to walk through the outdoor part of the lemur's enclosures. Also nearby is Gorilla Island, with three western lowland gorillas.

Another fascinating attraction at Bristol Zoo is the Seal and Penguin Coasts exhibit, where you can come face-to-face with South American fur seals and African penguins in their natural environment - underwater - by means of the special transparent underwater walkways. Above the surface, the enclosures have landscaped beaches, cliffs, and a shipwreck that also supports an aviary for Inca terns and eider ducks over the penguin pool .

The huge Wallace Aviary allows you to walk among exotic plants and free-flying birds from Indonesia and the Philippines. Other significant attractions include: Zona Brazil featuring animals from the threatened coastal rainforests of Brazil, such as the exquisite golden lion tamarins; Twilight World showcasing a variety of nocturnal animals; and the Terrace Theatre, where regular Animal Encounters shows are held throughout the day.

Activities for children include an adventure playground, hands-on activities centre, and the Zoolympics trail, where visitors can compare their skills against those of the animal kingdom.

Official Website

www.bristolzoo.org.uk

(Opens in separate window)

Facilities

Car Park

£3.00 per car. The North car park on Clifton Down is open on Zoo operating days. The West car park on College road is open during peak periods and an overflow car park operates on the Downs during the high season.

A free bus service operates from the Portway Park and Ride car park on selected dates (Bank Holiday Sundays and Mondays); see zoo's website for details.

Eating

Pelican Restaurant serving hot meals and snacks
Pizza Hut
BBQs
Covered picnic area

For Kids

Baby changing and feeding facilities
Play area
Activity Centre

Special Needs

Disabled toilets
Wheelchair friendly - 20 wheelchairs and 2 scooters are available for hire. Phone to pre-book on 0117 974 7357

Attractions

Animal Collections

Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Invertebrates

Note: The animal pictures on this page are merely representative of this type of attraction; they do not mean that the animals can be found at this specific attraction.

Star Animals

Monkey Jungle
Seal & Penguin Coasts
Gorilla Island
Zona Brazil
Wallace Aviary
Twilight World

Special Attractions

Explorer's Creek, with a children's water play area, walkthrough tropical bird house and parrot hand-feeding area.

Walkthrough tropical butterfly house, with butterflies and moths from around the world.

Animal Encounters
Feeding Times
Adopt an Animal
Keeper for the Day
Volunteering
Weddings
Conferences

See main Zoo website for details

How To Get There:

By Car

From the M5:

From J17 take the A4018 towards Bristol City Centre and Clifton, then follow brown elephant tourist signs.

From the South::

Follow the A38 or A37, as appropriate, towards Bristol and on towards the City Centre, until you reach the A4. Turn left onto the A4 and continue towards Avonmouth. This will take you through the Avon Gorge, and under Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge. Shortly after passing under this bridge, turn right onto the main road up the side of the gorge. At the top, Clifton Down will be on the left, and Bristol Zoo will be a short distance on the right

From Bath:

Follow the A4 through Bristol and on towards Avonmouth. Turn right shortly after passing under the Clifton Suspension Bridge, as described above (from the South)

From Bristol City Centre:

Follow the brown elephant signs and/or signs to Clifton.

By Public Transport

By bus:

A Zoo Safari ticket on any First bus in Bristol centre gives discounted bus travel/Zoo entry. This applies to adult and child tickets only. Frequent services: 8 and 9 buses run between Temple Meads Station, the City Centre and the Zoo. Call the Traveline on 0870 608 2608 for further details.

An open top bus service tours the city hourly from 1 April - 24 September. Discounts to the Zoo are available on the bus.

By train:

A joint ticket can be bought with discount travel/Zoo entry. This applies to adult and child tickets only. There is a local train service to Clifton Down Station (10 minute walk to the Zoo). Alternatively take an 8 or 9 bus from Bristol Temple Meads Station to the Zoo main entrance. Call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 for further details

Data on this page last updated: Apr 13 2014

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