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Zoos
& Animal Farms
around Greater Manchester and the Northwest Region
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These
venues are all within a day's return trip by car from Manchester
City Centre, and have been verified by the author.
Chatsworth Farmyard
Chatsworth,
Edensor, Nr Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP.
Tel:
01246-583139.
Seat
of the Dukes of Devonshire, Chatsworth is one of Derbyshire's
most celebrated and largest country residences - about 1½ hours
drive from Manchester. Many domestic animals on view, as well
as fish, and cows being milked. Adventure Playground. Located
about a ½ mile east of Edensor village on the A623, 4 miles
east of Bakewell. About 1½ hours drive from Manchester (longer
at peak times) via the A6 road to Stockport, Buxton and Bakewell,
well signposted as you approach Bakewell. 16 miles from Junction
29 on the M1 Motorway, signposted "Chesterfield". Also Stables
Restaurant, refreshment and snacks concessions, extensive parking,
tours of the house, and extensive gardens - an excellent picnic
opportunity. Children's adventure playground, farm shop nearby.
Frequent events held - angling, shooting, crafts fairs. House
& Gardens open from the end of March to the end of October daily
from 11.00am-4.30pm. The farmyard and adventure playground are
open during the same months but from 10.30am-4.30pm. Buses regularly
from Bakewell village.
See
also Chatsworth - Main
Entry
Chester
Zoo
2
miles north of Chester City Centre,
Upton-by-Chester. Tel: 01244-380 280.
Open
from 9.00am - 5.00pm 7 days a week including Bank Holidays -
times may have changed - please check before setting out..
The UK's largest zoo, set in 110 acres of beautiful gardens
and parkland. Attractions include Chimpanzee Island, Penguin
Pool, Tropical House, Children's Farm, and many others. Free
parking for cars and coaches. Disabled facilities and virtually
full wheelchair access. Restaurants, cafés and fast food stalls.
Gift and souvenir shops. Regular bus services from Chester City
Centre.
About 1 hour's drive by car from Manchester along the M56 motorway,
well signposted as you approach Chester.
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Chestnut
Centre Conservation Park
Castleton
Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire. Tel: 01298-814 099.
Open
daily from 10.30am-5.30pm through summer, and on Saturdays and
Sundays in January and February from 10.30am-dusk.
See the Great American Otter here, as well as the biggest selection
of otter species in Britain. Also a great variety of Owls.
Cronkshaw
Fold Farm & Study Centre
Set
in Rossendale, this is a traditional working hill farm with
cows, sheep, pigs and poultry. There is also an organic fruit
and vegetable garden. Open to the public on the 2nd Sunday of
every month from April to September 1.00pm-4.00pm.
For more information, Tel: 01706-218 614.
Heaton Park Farm Centre
Prestwich,
North Manchester. Tel: 0161-773 1085.
Many domesticated animals and breeding programmes : cows, pigs,
chicks, goats, donkeys, etc. School parties welcome. Call for
details.
See
also Heaton Park -
Main Entry.
Hullown
Farm
Located
2½ miles east of Colne in Lancashire tours are available
for groups of 10 or more people around their rare breeds animal
farm. There is also a well stocked trout fishery.
Tel:
01282-869789.
Only
Foals & Horses
Redshell
Stables, Oswaldtwistle.
Horses, ponies and donkeys, as you'd expect, but also a variety
of other animals. Open 1.00pm-4.00pm daily. Special events and
open days.
For more information, Tel: 01254-235 559.
Shore
Hey Farm
Briercliffe,
near Burnley.
Set in the hills above Burnley, home to HAPPA one of Britain's
oldest charities devoted to the protection of horses and donkeys.
Open to the public 7 days a week from 10.00am-4.00pm. Admission
is free but donations are greatly appreciated.
Southport Zoo
Princes
Park, Pleasureland, Southport. Tel: 01704-538 102.
Five acres of landscaped gardens and a good selection of big
cats, reptile house with snake-handling sessions (!), porcupines,
llamas and penguins. Open daily from 10.00am-4.00pm (winter),
and until 6.00pm in summer.
See
also Southport - Main Entry
Stapeley
Water Gardens
London
Road, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire.
Website:
www.stapeleywatergardens.com
Email: stapeleywg@btinternet.com
Tel: 01270-623868 and 628628. Fax: 01270-624 919 and 624188.
There
is something for everyone at the World's largest water garden
centre. Display gardens and pools with the National Collection
of water lilies in bloom during the summer. All your gardening
and water gardening supplies. Gift shops and restaurants. The
Palms Tropical Oasis, a huge glass house home to tropical plants,
fish, birds and animals. Discover colourful reef fish and poisonous
lionfish amidst some of the most exciting environments. Europe's
premiere angler's superstore. , Extended and modernised pet
centre.
New Shark Bay - Baby Black Tipped Reef Sharks (The Palms Tropical
Oasis).
Opening Times:
Summer: Daily from 9am - 6pm (except for The Palms Tropical
Oasis which opens daily from 10am - 6pm), Sunday 10am - 4pm,
Bank Holidays 10am - 6pm. Winter: Daily from 9am - 5pm (except
for The Palms Tropical Oasis which opens daily from 10am - 5pm),
Bank Holidays 10am - 5pm
Angling opens every Wednesday night until 8pm, Stapeley Water
Gardens opens every Wednesday in summer until 8pm).
Open every day except Easter Sunday and Christmas Day (except
for The Palms Tropical Oasis which is open on Christmas Day
for pre-booked lunches and Easter Sunday 10am - 6pm).
Admission Prices:
Individuals: Adults £3.85 Senior Citizens £3.40 Children £2.15
(between 4 & 14 years) Special Rates for Groups of 15 or more:
Adults: £3.40 Senior Citizens: £2.85 Children: £1.85
Location:
Junction 16 on M6 Motorway 1 mile south of Nantwich on A51 to
Stone, follow brown tourist signs.
NOTE
Please note that times and prices may have changed since this
was written - please check before setting out.
See
Also - Stapely Water Gardens
- Main Entry
The
Fisherman's Retreat, Twine Valley
Riding Head
Lane, Shuttleworth, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0HH.
Tel: 01706-825 314. Fax: 01706-821 815.
Email: info@fishermansretreat.com.
Website: www.fishermansretreat.com.
Predominantly a restaurant, but with other facilities including
deer, charolias, and saddleback pigs which are all part of the
farm and not always available for public viewing. Also offers
Coarse Fishing on a membership basis (not Fly Fishing), and
access to 80 acres of beautiful countryside.
Animal
Farm Castleton
Castleton,
Derbyshire.
Based in the picturesque village of Castleton, at the foot of
the famous mountain Mam collection of British farm animals who
face extinction, and the opportunity to learn about animals
and local crafts. In addition to the animals, there are activities
including dry-stone walling and panning for Blue John, picnic
areas and a dog park. Because of the very hilly terrain in the
Peak District, Animal Farm is unsuitable for people using wheelchairs
and wheelchair users should contact the Farm in advance of their
visit so that alternative arrangements acn be made for access
and to meet the animals.
Opening
times: April to end of September: daily 10.00am – 5.00pm;
October to Christmas and half terms: weekends and by appointment
10.00 – 4.00pm; Christmas to end of March: advanced bookings
only.
Admission
prices: Children under two go free;
Children under sixteen years and concessions: £3.00; Adults:
£4.00; PA to a disabled guest: free; Groups over six people
10% discount; Groups over ten people 15% discount.
Please contact in advance for information and prices for school
and coach parties.
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