South Lakes Safari Zoo is a 17-acre site opened in 1994 at Dalton-in-Furness, a small town lying in a narrow valley. It’s a zoo with a difference because you come away feeling like you’ve really got up close to the animals, many of which seem free to roam; but before you start fretting, that’s just some of the non-dangerous species!
The car park is situated right outside the zoo so there’s no long trek before even reaching the entrance. Once inside, it’s clear just how spacious the site is. A free map isn’t provided with the admittance fee, you have to buy a booklet to obtain a map. To be honest, you don’t need one, just wander and look out for the occasional sign.
Talking of signage, my biggest grumble relates to the warning signs dotted around the zoo which seem rather OTT. Rather than simply, “Don’t feed the giraffes”, you have “Strictly no feeding of giraffes with any food whatsoever”. There was a bizarre health warning on the hand dryer in the toilet and visitors are reminded, via another sign, that monkeys, lemurs and tamarins bite. But rather than leave it at that, there’s another warning: “If you are seen touching or feeding monkeys, lemurs or tamarins, you’ll be asked to leave the park. No refunds will be given or excuses accepted”.
In the restaurant, which actually dishes up some decent food, you’re warned not to move the chairs because “it’s in breach of health and safety rules”.
Whilst we’re on the restaurant, the design causes rather unnecessary hassle. You can’t walk in and find a table before ordering your food because, otherwise, the only way to reach the food counter again is to go outside and back in through the entrance! Basically, you have to order and pay for your food and hope you can find a free table.
Other than those little annoyances, we enjoyed our visit to South Lakes Safari Zoo and were particularly impressed with the giraffes and rhinos. You don’t realise how enormous they are until you see them with your own eyes. But all the animals were impressive and my two kids had a great day.
Like most zoos nowadays, you can pay extra to be a keeper for the day, hand feed big cats or opt for a Family Animal Experience. The Family Experience lasts for around 20 minutes and involves you joining the keepers for a behind-the-scenes personal encounter with an animal or group of animals of your choice. These experiences are limited and must be pre-booked. The cost of the Family Animal Experience (family of four) is £105 (as of 2014).
Each day there are normally various talks and feeding times to enjoy, such as hand-feeding giraffes. Our favourite was watching the Big Cat Feeding where the snow leopard hunts for its food and climbs up 20-foot poles to reach a huge chunk of meat. There were talks and feedings galore. Overall, our day at the zoo was enjoyable.
Admission rates (2014) for the zoo are £15 for adults, £9 children (aged 3-15). It’s open every day, except Christmas Day, from 10am until 5pm. Last admission 4.15pm.
More information:
Melton Terrace
Lindal-in-Furness
Ulverston
Cumbria LA12 0LU
www.southlakessafarizoo.com, t: 01229 466086
www.golakes.co.uk, t: 01539 822222