Wild Place Project
I mentioned previously about our visit to the Wild Place Project, but I thought it worth sharing a bit more of our experience.
The Wild Place Project is owned by Bristol Zoo, but the focus is much more on bringing conservation to life. It is astounding to think you can meet zebra, cheetahs and wolves within a couple of minutes from junction 17 of the M5. It is a fairly small place at the moment but there is a lot of scope to develop and expand the park much further.
The main reason for visiting the Wild Place Project was for the cheetahs that had arrived a few months previously. When I visited South Africa seven years ago, I was lucky enough to get up close to this magnificent animal at a sanctuary.
Since seeing this photo, Freyja has been keen to see a cheetah herself, so when she saw a flyer for the Wild Place she was desperate to go. There are less than 2,000 Central African cheetahs in the wild, and the Wild Place Project is only one of four collections in the UK to keep them. It was a privilege to be able to see these amazing animals. I can’t get over how such a distinctive looking animal is able to camouflage so well in the long grass. It took Freyja a couple of minutes to spot the animal which was about 10 metres from where we were stood. It had seen us long before we caught sight of it, and it seemed to be watching us as keenly as we were observing it.
We were a little disappointed not to have been able to see the red river hogs who obviously didn’t want to come out from wherever they were hiding and we only got a glimpse of one of the five European Grey Wolves which was fast asleep, but a few of the other animals were much happier for us to get acquainted with them. A beautiful okapi wandered over towards us and didn’t mind both the girls waving at it and saying “hello okapi!” and in the lemur enclosure one animal got a bit closer to Freyja than she’d have liked when it jumped over her head!
I think the Discover Madagascar exhibit had to be my favourite part. In the first section is a mock up of an African village with a little school and market stall where pygmy goats and guinea fowl are roaming free.
Freyja didn’t mind the “billy goats” wandering around close to her but the “ducks from The Lion King” were a different matter. I think she felt unsure about their fast, nervous running around quite close to her, so she was happy to go through into the lemur enclosure.
“ducks from The Lion King” or more commonly “guinea fowl”
We got to the lemurs just before feeding time. We all got a great view of the lemur group enjoying fruit and vegetables being fed to them by a very knowledgeable member of staff who gave a brilliant entertaining and informative talk about the animals. The girls loved watching two of the three babies, leaving their mother to run around after each other – it reminded me very much of the two of them.
The Wild Place Project is more than the animals that are there. It was the perfect place to visit with the girls as there were a few different play areas to keep them entertained. There is an undercover “Fun Fort” – a play area with things to climb up and slide down which they enjoyed, and an outside area with a trampoline and sandpit amongst other things.
The highlight for the girls was the Barefoot Trail – a 150m walkway through a variety of different textures, including straw, bark, pebbles, shells and mud. It kept the girls amused for ages – they did it 3 times!
We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I know that as the park continues to develop and expand it will become a really brilliant attraction. I know that this is somewhere we will visit time and time again and I want to see it grow. I also want my girls to appreciate the importance of conservation through places like The Wild Place Project, and so I bought us membership there and then. I have a feeling that there will be quite a few more fun family days out together here…
That’s interesting – I’ve been to Bristol Zoo but wasn’t aware of this place. We visit the area a couple of times a year so will definitely check this out, it sounds like a really great (and educational) day out.
It is still quite small, but there was enough to entertain the girls, and it has such potential….
What an inspiring place, I love the African school and the barefoot walk which I am pinning, it is on my list of things to introduce at Coombe Mill. I love how the cheetah was eyeing you up whilst hiding in the long grass there. A great day with so much to see and do. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
The barefoot walk was a brilliant idea – the girls loved it. I get a feeling that you may be planning one for Coombe Mill?
We just did a barefoot walk last week too, but haven’t written up my post yet.
Looks like it’s a lovely day out – shame I’d not heard of it when we visited Bristol last year.
(Would love to see bigger images in your posts – so hard to see smaller ones).
It was great! I’m surprised the Wild Place wasn’t advertised more, but it will be definitely worth a visit next time you are in the area.
Oh wow it looks great here! Will put it on our list of places to visit #sundaystars x
Definitely worth a visit! Would love to hear how you found it when you get a chance to go.
What a great place. I love those Okapis they are so beautiful. We might try to visit xx
They are amazing, and I always thought they were quite shy. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
The Barefoot Trail sounds great! My 15 month old finds different surfaces super fun – the other day she had so much fun just walking barefoot on grass. #sundaystars
She would love the barefoot trail then!!
This place looks AMAZING!! Am definitely going to put it on my list of places to visit — the boys would LOVE it 🙂 #SundayStars
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
Sounds like a great opportunity to meet up there then!
Ahh…I’ve been wondering about this place for a while since reading about the plans for it ages ago! Great to get a little preview – thanks for sharing. Love the idea of the barefoot trail. The guys behind Bristol Zoo and this project really get it right for kids don’t they? #countrykids
Glad it was useful! Still lots of potential for the place to grow even more, and I think it will be something really special in 5 or so years time.
I am loving the look of the barefoot trail, I would love that let alone the kids! x
Who can’t resit the lure of standing in squelchy mud – regardless of age?!
Sounds awesome Karen, lovely photos its so cool you managed to get that close to them #sundaystars x
Thank you! It was amazing to get so close to the animals
This looks amazing and I’d love to do the Barefoot Trail myself ;). Really good photos and such a helpful review.
Thank you! The barefoot trail was great – definitely not just for kids!
Stunning photos – especially the cheetah! Looks like you had an amazing day and little Miss Freyja was in her element… cheeky red hogs!
#sundaystars
It was great! I’m hoping those naughty little piggies make an appearance next time!
What a beautiful place, looks amazing!
Definitely worth a visit!
Karen I love Zebras so beautiful, the park looks so fab, it is great to watch something grow like this isn’t it x
Definitely, it’s one reason why I bought membership – it I going to be so amazing in a decade.
Looks fab and I might get to go when we move!!!!! Thanks for hosting with me this week lovely 🙂 #SundayStars Jess x
We will have to arrange a meet up there x
From all of the comments above it sounds like you’ve done a great job advertising this place:-) Like many others I’ve visited Bristol Zoo but have never heard of the Wild Place project – I’ll have to check it out!
Definitely worth a visit!
This looks great – we have been to Bristol Zoo once before I didnt realise they had this as well next time we are local will definitely check it out – thank you #CountryKids
It’s still quite small, but definitely worth a visit!
This looks like a great place to take the kids! We’ve been to Bristol Zoo before but not heard of the Wild Place Project before. I love the ducks of the Lion King!! LOL 🙂 x
I had no idea what she was going on about for a while!
Looks like it was a fun and interesting experience! I love the idea of the Barefoot Trail!
It was brilliant! Thanks for stopping by!