Recently around here: A Festive Noah's Ark Zoo

 So we're gearing ourselves up for the start of Christmas and I had that moment when you're planning your diary and you count how many weekends there are actually left until Christmas and it takes you back a bit! Suddenly things get a lot busier and harder to fit everything in, so when Noah's Ark Zoo invited us for a day out we thought that would be a great way to start our Christmas activities and see what they had in store.

We've not been to this zoo, or any zoo for a long time even though Theo has been asking to go, so it was a great chance to have a day out together and do something that we all enjoy. We've not been here since the addition of the elephants so it was great to see them, as well as their new Christmas tree forest (which they seemed to enjoy destroying!) We were shown around in a group with the park leader, which was great to get an insight into all that was going on, then we really enjoyed being able to explore and take our time afterwards. They currently have a 'History and mystery' Christmas trail which takes you around the (huge!) grounds for you to spot Christmas trees and answer some quiz questions, all lit by 100's of fairy lights which makes it lovely and magical. Whilst Noah's Ark does have a Christian background it's easy to enjoy it from whatever religion you believe or don't believe in, and just enjoy the zoo for what it is, a great place to observe and learn about the animals, and get into the festive spirit. Theo loved feeding the birds with his own feed bag, petting the animals in the farm area and discovering the giant Tortoises.

We stopped for pizza and hot chocolate in the cafe to warm up which was really good, and then carried on our exploring afterwards, but not without a play in the massive play barn. Noah's Ark certainly doesn't disappoint with the amount of playgrounds dotted around the place which makes it a great place to spend the whole day. Theo loved climbing the lookout platforms and taking in the view and getting a good look at the animals, and particularly enjoyed his close encounter with the Tiger!

They have a number of fun things coming up over the next few weekends, which would be great to check out:

Saturday 9th December: Ark Angel choir performance at 2pm in the Ark Arena. Come along and join in with some festive favourites as our Zoo Keepers sing some tunes to fundraise for the Crisis Centre.

Saturday 16th December: Come and watch a festive performance of the Christmas story with real animals. The Portishead Brownie group is kindly putting on a Christmas Nativity for you all at 2pm in the Ark Arena. The nativity showing is included in the entry price.

Saturday 23rd December: Come along and get involved with your very own Christmas Nativity with real live animals. At 2pm in the Ark Arena we're inviting you to get involved and tell the Christmas Story. All props and script will be provided just turn up on the day and get involved.

So we had a great day, it wasn't too busy either which is great when you're not a fan of the Christmas crowds and I loved seeing Theo being able to explore and run around in all the space.

Here's a little video of our day: