6 outdoor attractions to visit this week in Bristol

As of 12 April, outdoor attractions can welcome visitors once again, which means Bristol’s wonderful wildlife attractions are back open. Here are six of those where you can soak up this week's spring sunshine along with some exciting wildlife and nature.

As well as new Covid-19 safety measures, most attractions now have timed ticketing systems in place, so make sure you book online in advance.

• Read our latest Covid-19 information and advice 

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Gorillas, meerkats, tree kangaroos, red pandas, penguins, lemurs, seals – just some of the 400 species of exotic and endangered animals you can get to know at Bristol Zoo. Based in Clifton, this historic zoo (it's the fifth oldest in the world) is set among an extraordinary collection of beautiful and rare plants in the award-winning gardens.

Image - Bristol Zoo Gardens, credit Andre Pattenden 

Wild Place Project

Head on an outdoor adventure at Wild Place Project, a wildlife conservation attraction and Bristol Zoo's sister site which is themed around different global habitats. Go from seeing okapi in the Secret Congo exhibit, to lemurs in Discover Madagascar, to lynx, wolverines, bears and wolves living side by side in Bear Wood.

Image - Wild Place Project, credit Andre Pattenden

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm  

See exciting animals roaming around the Somerset countryside at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm including African Elephants, White Rhinos, Giraffes, Lions, Giant Anteater and Spectacled Bears. You can also go searching for signs of spring and baby animals on a new springtime trail. In between wildlife spotting, kids can enjoy outdoor play areas dotted around the zoo too.

Image - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Tune into nature at WWT Slimbridge, a wetland nature reserve between Bristol and Gloucester with lots of scenic open space to explore. It's a real wildlife haven – look out for feathery friends, marvellous mammals and awesome amphibians, including new-borns like ducklings and cygnets at this time of year.

Download the Wetland Heroes app, created by Aardman, for fun fact-finding missions and challenges around the reserve suitable for the whole family.

Image - WWT Slimbridge

Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park

From guinea pigs and chickens to llamas and reindeer, meet animals of all shapes and sizes at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park in Keynsham. Highlights this spring are the lovely lambs and the park’s newest residents – a mob of meerkats. The park is also packed with adventure play activities such as a mini jeep safari, jumping pillows and climbing wall.

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Longleat

The UK's number one safari park is open again. Based in Wiltshire on 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, Longleat is best known for its drive-through safari experience, where you can see mighty rhinos, powerful big cats, cheeky monkeys and more. There are also plenty of on-foot animal attractions and adventure play activities. 

Image - Longleat, credit Caleb Hall

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