With the Summer holidays upon us it’s time to start thinking about days out when you come to us for your holidays. Watch out for our blogs to give you some ideas.

Kirkley Hall Zoological gardens.

Opened in 2011 Kirkley Hall has grown from strength to strength and now hosts over 130 species including Ring Tailed Lemurs, Coatis, Wallabies, Emus. Meerkats, Snakes and Capybaras.

In addition to the vast collection of animals, the zoological gardens have a wealth of activities to offer including the tea room and gift shop, zip wire and high ropes and a regular programme of fun kids’ activities including, Zoo school, zoo club and keeper for a day. The zoo is a perfect balance of fun and education.

Kirkley Hall have worked hard to replicate the natural habitats of the animals and a number of the animals are also part of international breeding programmes, helping to preserve endangered populations in the wild.

For your own little monkeys there is the Noah’s Ark Play Area which is designed to look and feel like a ship or ark. Your children can slide and climb in their own play area.

The Zoo also houses The Orangery Tea Room a welcome retreat serving delicious lunches and snack, drinks and cake. The tearoom is open daily and also sells souvenirs plants and gifts.

Why not meander through the ornamental and woodland gardens. Visitors can follow the river and forest trails and spot wildlife along the way including endangered red squirrels. Kirkley Zoo are working hard to encourage this endangered species to stay within the grounds with their Red Squirrel project which aims to protect and monitor the squirrels.

With a whole heap of special events coming up such as Primate Weekend, The Big Butterfly Count, Summer Zoo Club, Madagascar Weekend and a day dedicated to Conquering that Fear of spiders you will be spoilt for choice whenever you choose to visit, read more about these events here http://www.kirkleyhallzoo.co.uk/about-us.aspx

Do let us know if you decide to visit Kirkley, we’d love to hear what you think.