I just wanted to quickly share some photos from my recent visit to The Cotswold Wildlife Park. I know, I know, I've blogged about my visits there so many times already, but I enjoy taking photos of animals, and wanted to add some of my favourites from my visit to gather dust in my archives.
My sister and I visited the park on her birthday at the beginning of the month, on a gorgeous, scorching hot weekday. It was my first visit since September, but my second trip there during the pandemic. I definitely enjoyed this visit more than the last one- probably as it wasn't so busy and crowded, and we didn't get close enough to other people to need to wear face coverings as we wandered around outside. We just needed to wear them in the indoor areas, like the reptile houses and gift shop, due to current guidelines in England. It felt like a perfectly normal pre-Covid trip to the zoo, and we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves as we dawdled around the park looking at all the weird and wonderful animal and plants in the blistering sunshine.
Highlights for me included seeing the tamanduas (tree anteaters) for the first time (oh my God, they're so cute!); watching the capybaras swim (they were as agile in the water as beavers); seeing a peacock display his feathers; spotting a wild heron flying over the lake and in to a tall tree after an altercation with a pelican; and getting to watch the rhinos and giraffes for ages while I took chronic pain rest breaks.
We also enjoyed ice creams from their kiosks in the sunshine, which let's be honest, has to be done when you visit the zoo in the summer, and it was just lovely being outside close to nature, doing something normal again. At that point, I'd only left the house a couple of times all year, so it was all the more enjoyable.
We had a wonderful visit as usual, and I love that we saw some new animals and made some new experiences at the Wildlife Park, even after a life time of visits. I just could have done without coming home with sunburn as a souvenir, but I only have myself to blame for that one. Guess which idiot forgot to apply suncream to her face and neck? Yep, this gal.
If you've never been to The Cotswold Wildlife Park, or haven't visited in a while, I'd totally recommend you pay them a visit. They've got great measures in place to keep everyone safe during the pandemic, and almost all of the park is open to visitors again. The tropical house and walk-through Madagascar exhibit are still shut to the public, and their iconic train is currently out of service, but other indoor sections like the reptile, bat, and insect houses are open, and you're allowed to go in to pet the goats in the farmyard again. The gift shop, kiosks, and restaurant are also open for business, but remember to bring a face covering as you will need them to access any indoor spaces.
I should also mention that you can't currently buy tickets to enter the wildlife park at the gate or on the day, since visitor numbers are restricted due to Covid-19. You have to prebook your tickets online from their website the day before you wish to visit- although, they've just began releasing tickets up to a few days in advance, which makes life a little easier. In any case, I promise you the minor inconvenience is worth it for a lovely day out at a unique wildlife park filled with amazing animals, beautiful plants, and an impressive gothic manor house out in the beautiful Cotswolds countryside. I've lost count of how many times we've visited The Cotswold Wildlife Park over the years, but we always have a great time, and can never resist going back for yet another visit.
Have you been to The Cotswold Wildlife Park yet? When was the last time you visited the zoo?
