South Lakes Wild Animal Park Bewertungen 

We went to the zoo as a mothers day treat with the reduced price tickets and reduced opening hours which was good.
The complete let down at a cost of £25 was the hand feeding the giraffes. The children were really excited to do this but it was shambolic to say the least and totally over booked.
There is no signage of where to stand. We asked and stood exactly where one member of staff told us too and waited 20 minutes to get a good view only for the lady organising it to tell us and many others very rudely we were in the wrong place. We ended up at the back of a stupidly long queue.
This had clearly been massively over booked and many many families paid for something it was impossible to do.
I have raised a formal complaint asking for my money back for this part of our visit £25 in total.
Sadly the £2 winter entrance fee is about right for this attraction...it's poorly organised and massively over booked leading to lots of very disappointed children.
Think very carefully before booking anything...as for the full gate price definitely not worth anything like it sadly

Iv visited the zoo a number of times over the years and loved it when we first discovered it. But sadly I won't return, it's declined In recent years but todays visit was just almost pointless going.
We are not local but make a full day of it. The zoo is only open for 4 hrs each day until end of march.
We arrived promptly and queued for an hour to get in. I accepted that, but left us with 3 hrs to explore.

It says no food or drinks allowed in , but your allowed to purchase their food and walk around eating it. Hardly fair. Just a ploy to buy their food.
The queue for the food was massive and only had a very limited option but smelt amazing. We ended up bringing in our own food in. It was fine as long as you don't take it into the monkey free roaming section. Plus they provide picnic benches everywhere so it's a little conflicting information.

There was a lot to see, to much for 3 hrs. And the place could really do with a little attention.
It doesn't help the amount of rubbish there is, admittedly public is to blame but I think the zoo should increase their litter pickers to compensate.
It can get narrow for buggies, wheelchairs in places but manageable with a bit of patience.

But my final straw was looking and waiting for the toilets. I couldn't find the baby changing facilities anywhere. I'm sure they must have one but it wasn't clearly signed and staff were very sparse.

I feel guilty as iv been a loyal customer over the years. Maybe I'll visit again in a few years, I really hope things improve.

But thank you for at least making it affordable with your special offers. But maybe limit the number of these tickets which can be used each day.

We had a long wait to get in. Noticed how drab the approach was. Once inside there were lots of animals to see. Some were inside due to the weather. Enjoyed watching the giraffes being fed. Strolled round at leisure. Lots of muddy puddles about need wellies if it's been raining. Half way round we came across one of the cafes. Again long queue After queuing about half an hour to get to counter we ordered. There were no bottles of water or bottles of juice available only cans of fizzy pop at £2+ per can. Yet you cant bring your own food or drinks in. So not sure what you do if you have toddlers with you. Food was ok bit pricey but that's how they make the money . They say you can go back to your car to eat your food from home but its along walk back to carpark to then come back in.
Will not do second visit

Sadly let down, we have been several times over the years and we were looking forward to this with our youngest son of 9yrs old and granddaughter of 3 yrs old
It's in a terrible state, more dilapidated and areas seemed closed off. Hardly seen any animals, i get its a colder day but theres nothing to reccomend it. the cafe is just a selling sausage rolls that we had to wait 20 mins for with a seating area. That the floor was very dirty even tho the cafe had only been open 30mins. Also I'd like to have seen staff members around the park.

You cannot bring food in of any type, I saw a few families who had brought picnics and had to leave them in the car. You can go back and have your butties in the car though but that kinda makes me wonder why have picnic benches in the zoo.

There is an air of desperation about the place and unless there is some fab reviews and signs of investment sadly I don't envisage a future for it. I sincerely hope it does turn around it used to be a fabulous day out. Very disappointing after a 2 hour drive. Not well sign posted even paid for feeding the lemurs and giraffes but missed both as couldn't actually find the correct location. The toilet at the entrance also had no door for privacy. Opening times 11 till 3 was a let down as by the time you have queued out side to enter it only give us an hour to ram everything in.
The cafe only sold sausage rolls and the bloke that was meant to be seeing completely ignored my boy as he was the only 1 at the counter waiting to be served. Bought 3 boxes of feed for the animals at £3.99 each and came away with them. Left very disappointed will not return . Will also be emailing with a complaint.

Very pleasantly surprised, yes things a little tatty but loads of animals all visible either inside or out
You don't have to walk miles to get round and not over priced.

Sadly let down, we have been several times over the years and we were looking forward to this.
It's in a terrible state, more dilapidated and areas seemed closed off. Hardly seen any animals, i get its a colder drizzly day but theres nothing to reccomend it. the cafe is just a chippy with a seating area. Also I'd like to have seen people handling food wearing latex gloves.

You cannot bring food in of any type, I saw a few families who had brought picnics and had to leave them in the car. You can go back and have your butties in the car though but that kinda makes me wonder why have picnic benches in the zoo.

There is an air of desperation about the place and unless there is some fab reviews and signs of investment sadly I don't envisage a future for it. I sincerely hope it does turn around it used to be a fabulous day out.

They should refund or change dates. Rather risk lives than change dates. Weather warning for today we would be travelling over 2 hours with 5 children, asked to change date and was told they are non transferable and non refundable should be ashamed of themselves!

I first went to this zoo 20 years ago, the last time was about 10 years ago. I was totally gutted at the state of the place, its a shambles. the new entry had toilets in the foyer, but only 2 cubicles. You have to leave through this building but have to walk through the gift shop which was extremely expensive. No picnics in the park, only their food, £5 a person to feed the animals, which if you have a few kids is expensive. It was very run down. I am disappointed, it seems it only cares about the money and not the animals or the customers, such a shame as it used to be a fantastic day out

Unfortunately comparing South Lakes Safari with other, similar experiences, we were extremely disappointed! We've been lucky enough to go to Edinburgh, Blair Drummond, North Yorkshire and even Northumberland Zoo's over the last few years and this was by far the worst.
Animal enclosures were covered in feacies and not well kept. Staff were quite rude and the whole park seemed very run down and dated. Apart from the kids play area I felt let down by the promise of a good family day out.
Dining at the on site Fish and Chip shop and queing for over 45minutes(which is fine), I witnessed a severe lack of hygiene. Not one single table was wiped down and staff were not exactly practising safe food handling rules, not 1 member of staff washed their hands while I was there. I witnessed flies landing on numerous items of food before it was handed to customers. For a park which must have a good revenue and income I expected better.

We arrived to be told we couldn't take packed lunches into the zoo,even though we had food for the grandkids, we accepted this however felt it a bit unfair/ unacceptable to witness a member of staff eating there bait in full sight of customers who had clearly been told no food allowed in the zoo (due to health and safety) unless purchased and eaten in the cafe ..( which was very pricey).
I understand staff need to eat there lunch but surely it shouldnt be were customers are told "NO!"
£3 for a kids Mini Milk ice lolly??? What a rip off!!

Oh dear. From the filthy toilets to the dilapidated buildings and especially the weed filled animal enclosures this place needs a huge injection of cash and a major refurbishment. It was so sad to see a little baboon trying to eat the litter that had been left in the enclosure.

The animals did appear to be well fed ( not surprising given the amount of ‘feeding’ encounters they try to sell) but their living conditions were really unpleasant. It appeared that many were kept alone which also seemed very sad.

Could be a really nice day out with some care and TLC. Such a shame.

These 5 star reviews are either paid reviews or their own staff making accounts and posting.

There is absolutely no way anyone is getting their monies worth here. From the awfully kept animals, to the very rude, ignorant and dirty minimum wage / volunteer kids they employ here with clear learning and social difficulties. The people that work here are McDonald’s rejects.

2 hour drive half the animals either don’t exist or were unavailable to see. Overgrown and dirty habitats, dirty toilet facilities.

If they spent half the time on the park as they did on their gift shop (to again make more money out of parents with young children) it would be half decent.

Shocking experience from start the finish. Not quite sure how it’s still operating but the animals still clutching onto dear life that are housed here need moving to Cheshire and the owners / managers need taking out back like old yella!

Certainly won’t be going back.

After reading previous reviews we were in 2 minds as to ho or not. Thank goodness we ignored the reviews and decided to take our chances. Overall we had a great day out, the enclosures were large enough for the animals, they appeared well fed and well cared for and we would certainly go again. Yes the cost of food is slightly high but of good quality but is it not the same everywhere there is a captive audience? We are from the Blackpool area and I can assure you nowhere overcharges more than there. Some areas were overgrown but as with any zoo/wildlife park they need a constant cash injection to keep going. At the end of the day this is an enjoyable day out with animals that appear to be well cared for.

This Zoo is brilliant as they have my favourite species of giraffe and many other cool and amazing Animalia like siamangs which call loudly and are a true experince of a jungle. Epic place for me.

Would just like to start my review by thanking the lovely lady and her Daughter who found my Daughter’s Pandora bracelet and handed it in, it has now been returned.

We had a lovely day, my girls bought me the Sloth experience which I thoroughly enjoyed and the Zoo keeper who led the experience was very friendly and knowledgeable and answered all our questions.

Lots of animals to see and lots to get involved with.
Thoroughly enjoyable day.
Thank you

Very very disappointing visit. Felt sorry for the animals as many had very limited space and all seemed sad and not happy at all. Hugely overpriced with very inadequate food on offer considering you can’t picnic there. In fact the food was downright disgusting- do not have the hot dogs in a roll (roll fell apart and sausage didn’t fit in it and was inedible) it’s the worst we’ve ever had and we threw it away but it kept on repeating on us making us feel ill. Awful experience!!!

First time visitors and yes, we did read the negative reviews and horror stories before our visit - don't rely on what others say...Our family (2 adults and a 3 year old) have just returned from a 3 night stay in one of the cottages owned by the zoo. As part of the package we've had zoo entry, animal encounters and feeding experiences.
All in, we've spent 1 and a half days (10am-1pm & 10am-4pm) in the zoo itself and can honestly say we haven't seen everything! Yes, we have a 3 year old so we have spent some time in the play area, we've had animal encounters and had a feeding tour but our experience has been fantastic.
There are improvements that could (and in some cases already are) being implemented and I agree that not allowing picnics inside did mean we went back to the car and ate there (can't see that bit as a major problem).
Many of the enclosures had visible enrichment for their residents and the keepers we had contact with were extremely knowledgeable about their animals and honest about reasons as to why some were lone animals etc.
Although probably a separate review, the cottages and setting are amazing and very reasonably priced for the whole package.
We will definitely return and are looking forward to seeing how things change and improve further.
All in all we have had a fantastic few days and wouldn't hesitate to recommend to our friends and family.

We booked this trip as the tickets were half price. After booking I read some of the reviews and was really dreading the visit and regretting buying the tickets. However, we visited with my son, daughter-in-law and 3 granddaughters aged 18mnths, 4 and 7. We arrived at 9.30, zoo was due to open at 10 but at 9.40 a member of staff came out and told us they were opening early so could go into the zoo when we were ready. Staff on reception were helpful and friendly. We had pre-purchased safari packs for the 2 older children comprising of binoculars, an I-spy activity book for them to complete as we went around the zoo and a safari hat in a choice of colours. Good value at £7.50. The zoo, although small, was clean and the animals looked well cared for although the enclosures were on the small side. There was a large play area for the girls, which they loved. We paid to feed the giraffes, again, the girls loved it. Didn't need to wear masks and although it was a few slices of carrots, it was only £5 to do it. All the staff we came in contact with were friendly and knowledgeable. My only criticism, and it is a big one. The queues at the food outlets and kiosks were huge and very slow moving. There are lots of picnic tables across the zoo but you can't take your own picnic into the zoo. You have to go back to your car to eat it. (Which we did). The zoo say this is because they have animals roaming round so it is a safety thing. That is a load of rubbish as far as I can see. Yes, there is a part of the zoo that has free roaming animals but it is a fenced off area that you have to go through 2 gates to get to. Why can't they just say, no food allowed in this area then people can make their own minds up as to whether they want to go through this area or not. In my view it is just a money making scheme by the zoo who charged us over £9 for 4 cans of coke. Oh, there is nothing to stop you sitting at the picnic tables with food and drink you have purchased from the zoo. Would I go again? As much as we had a good day, no, I wouldn't go again. I think I would go to Blackpool zoo who at least allow you to take a picnic with you.

Felt sone if the enclosures needed updating wasn’t the best

Great day out , but needs more money spent
Half Price tickets until the end of march