When it’s gone, it’s gone! as one well known budget supermarket says, and after 186 years Bristol Zoo is closing. Visit now to see this unique part of the city’s history.
Nestled on the slopes above the rather younger Clifton Suspension Bridge (1864), Bristol Zoo Gardens, to use its official name, was opened in 1836 by the Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society, making it the world’s oldest provincial zoo.
Since then 90 million people have passed through the distinctive white gatehouse with its black animal frieze and enjoyed varied displays. They claim to have helped save 175 species from extinction.
A smart lion house was built in 1900. Polar bears arrived in 1935 and stayed until 1992. There was a popular elephant ride attraction – Rosie gave rides to 80,000 children a year – until the last elephant died in 2002.
Today few of the larger animals are left, bar an attractive pair of Asiatic lions and the lowland gorillas but there is plenty to see and it is easy to while away a day in the pleasant surrounds. There were many families enjoying a day out with their children and the scattered picnic tables were popular.
The zoo is set amidst 12 acres of lush gardens with a large lake whose smaller islands make superb monkey sanctuaries.
The gorillas were inside when we visited, the glass ceilings of the large building allowing some entertaining views of the playful youngsters, though they also had access to a large island. The patriarch, Jock, was impressive for his inky black bulk.
The monkey temple is one of the oldest buildings on the site, but is no longer considered suitable animal housing. An amusing black and white picture shows it in its heyday with many lounging monkeys. Now the surrounding ditch is filled in and the encircling walls are redundant.
Seals now cavort where polar bears played but equally captivating are the insect and reptile displays. The cages all looked clean and well presented.
Our favourites were probably the charming golden tamarind monkeys with their lush fur and inquisitive faces who had a couple of babies in their midst. Most of these animals will be transferred to the new Wild Place facility at Junction 17 of the M5, though I am sure the small scale charm of the original zoo will be lost.
Although the lush gardens are supposed to survive as a public park, one wonders how the addition of 200 houses will do the zoo grounds any favours. I feel it is a shame to lose such a unique attraction in the centre of Bristol where the residents enjoy such easy access and their children are exposed to the protect and conserve ethos of the present zoo.
The zoo is running a weird countdown to the 3rd September when its doors will close for the last time. Like its colourful butterflies, its natural lifespan is drawing to a close and it will soon be gone forever – ironically it has sadly engineered its own extinction.
NOTES
We paid £34 for two without additional donations. Arrive by bus or show a cycle helmet and get 33% off (prebooking only). Book at www.bristolzoo.org.uk. Open every day until 3rd September 2022.
