It’s been half term this week, today we took a trip to Blackpool Zoo. Looking at reviews online last night it seemed that not everyone was impressed. I wasn’t totally sure how our day would go, but we have really enjoyed our visit.

Dinosaur safari

We stared in the Dinosaur Safari, which we did manage to walk round the wrong way. Clearly this messed up the chronology of the story but the dinosaurs were all there and the kids loved spotting the ones they knew.

Meeting the animals

Then it was on to the real animals. We started with a bird display. A beautiful parrot and some birds of prey. Aparently the colour of an owls eyes can help you work out if it hunts at night or in the day. Every day is a school day as they say….

There were lots of animals to visit and talks all through the day, which we really enjoyed. We watched penguins being fed (they had to be quick with seagulls around). We saw camels, lots of birds and monkeys, zebra and reindeer.

One of the highlights for us were the cute monkeys wandering around in the rainforest enclosure. The kids loved being near enough to be able to touch them, and we all wanted to take one home!

I’m not sure the woman who ended up with a monkey in her handbag was quite so keen on them though!

We went to the elephant talk and learned about Kate. It’s good to hear that she’s getting a new enclosure and some new friends this summer. Although looking at her routine I’m thinking of booking myself a break at the elephant enclosure – she gets more pampering that I do! Warm baths and pedicures are part of her routine.

The best show of the day was the sea lion display – they were amazing! If you visit the zoo make sure you fit in a visit to watch them.

We saw the tiger and lion being fed, I always forget just how big those big cats are – the robin sitting in the tiger enclosure was much braver than me!

Time for food

With two coeliac children I often have to take food in case we don’t find anything gluten free, and the only review I had seen said that there was very little choice.

We found there were several options available, including chips, jacket potatoes and curry & rice. Lots of reviews also said the food was poor. However we paid £23 for 4 hot meals and drinks which I though was reasonable and I was pleasantly surprised by the food.

Yes the zoo needs a lick of pain in a few places and it isn’t as big as other places like Chester Zoo, but it was a good family day out that we all enjoyed and we will definitely go back in the future.

(For the record this is not in any way an affiliate post – just our experience of a day out)