Paradise Wildlife Park is an animal park located in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. It is right on our doorstep, so it is no surprise that I have visited this attraction multiple times both as a child and a parent. The zoo has undergone a major transformation in my lifetime transforming from the worst zoo in Britain to one of much acclaim. As with many attractions, Paradise Wildlife Park was put under significant strain when forced to close its gates in response to COVID-19. They eventually opened again in late June. Eager to show our support for a local attraction much loved by my family, we immediately booked our tickets to visit once again.

Given the restrictions in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, it should be expected that a number of attractions will not be open to their full capacity. Park management have clearly done the best they can to ensure as little disruption as possible given the guidelines. The only attractions off-limits and much to my daughters dismay were the Angkor Reptile Temple, Amazon and Beyond, Woodland Animals and the various children’s play areas.
Highlights for my family included the recently opened Lion Pride Lands, home to several white lions that can be viewed up close behind floor to ceiling glass. My daughter was very apprehensive at the prospect of being so close to the sleeping lions as she had her photo taken. Another highlight was the red panda’s as they climbed high up the trees within their enclosure. And finally, the snow leopards were catwalking around their enclosure with their long tails on display. I mention the long tails as my young daughter has become very inquisitive and took it upon herself to ask the zookeeper why snow leopards have long tails. We all learnt something new when it was explained that the long tails help cats to balance, and that the snow leopard has an extra long tail as it uses its tail much like a scarf in its native cold habitat.

In concluding this post, I would strongly recommend Paradise Wildlife Park for those interested in visiting a smaller animal park. They have plenty of animals and it is not too large that you come away exhausted having walked enough steps to complete the Marathon Des Sables. It would be great to hear from others who have visited recently reopened family-friendly attractions. I’ll write up another review in my next post for a great local activity that I recently completed.