Drusillas Park
Latest Reviews
Highlight for us: Feeding the exotic birds, for £1 you can buy a small cup of nectar and the birds sit all over your arms and shoulders to feed, a lovely experience.
Overall I felt this was a very well run (albeit not massive) park - we spent a good 3-4 hours and could have stayed longer.
The animals' pens looked to be of a good size with interesting things for the monkeys to engage with etc.
We'll definitely come back.
Overall I felt this was a very well run (albeit not massive) park - we spent a good 3-4 hours and could have stayed longer.
The animals' pens looked to be of a good size with interesting things for the monkeys to engage with etc.
We'll definitely come back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We took my 2 year old twins on their birthday earlier this month.
We had such a fabulous day, the boys took a real interest in all the animals- monkeys being their favourite!
Little kitty rides went down a storm too!
Staff were all super friendly and all seemed very hard working.
We look forward to visiting again soon.
We had such a fabulous day, the boys took a real interest in all the animals- monkeys being their favourite!
Little kitty rides went down a storm too!
Staff were all super friendly and all seemed very hard working.
We look forward to visiting again soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent the week in East Sussex visiting family and decided to take our tot to Drusillas as the reviews were favourable and the pricing seemed reasonable. I’m so pleased that we did.
The park is essentially split into three parts -
Mini Zoo:
Took us a good hour and a half to go through all of the animals which were obviously well cared for. A good mix which covered all of the basics from Monkeys through to camels.
If you have time I highly recommend that you try feeding the birds, for just a quid you will be given a small pot of nectar, I was literally covered by our feathery friends in the compound.
Play Area:
Surprisingly large and well thought out. Facilities include a big outdoor adventure playground along with a good splash pool which would be great in the summer as well a nice and equally well sized indoor soft play area with on site café.
Thomas the Tank Engine and Hello Kitty:
Includes Thomas himself which takes a nice train ride around the park and passes various landmarks such as the Fat Controllers office etc.
The Hello Kitty area includes a car on rails ride, tea cup ride and a bench where the little ones can have their picture taken with Kitty.
All in all we had a great visit during a sunny day in October, due to the time of year the park was quiet so we had everything near enough to ourselves.
Special mention has to go to the toilet facilities that are simply the best and most child friendly I have ever come across at a family venue. Spotlessly clean with easy to reach washing basins and the special toilet seat within a toilet seat just for the littles members of your family.
We highly recommend a visit to Drusillas.
The park is essentially split into three parts -
Mini Zoo:
Took us a good hour and a half to go through all of the animals which were obviously well cared for. A good mix which covered all of the basics from Monkeys through to camels.
If you have time I highly recommend that you try feeding the birds, for just a quid you will be given a small pot of nectar, I was literally covered by our feathery friends in the compound.
Play Area:
Surprisingly large and well thought out. Facilities include a big outdoor adventure playground along with a good splash pool which would be great in the summer as well a nice and equally well sized indoor soft play area with on site café.
Thomas the Tank Engine and Hello Kitty:
Includes Thomas himself which takes a nice train ride around the park and passes various landmarks such as the Fat Controllers office etc.
The Hello Kitty area includes a car on rails ride, tea cup ride and a bench where the little ones can have their picture taken with Kitty.
All in all we had a great visit during a sunny day in October, due to the time of year the park was quiet so we had everything near enough to ourselves.
Special mention has to go to the toilet facilities that are simply the best and most child friendly I have ever come across at a family venue. Spotlessly clean with easy to reach washing basins and the special toilet seat within a toilet seat just for the littles members of your family.
We highly recommend a visit to Drusillas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We hadn't been for quite a few years and we were horrified by some reviews we had seen and couldn't believe that the place had gone downhill so quickly. Thank goodness we didn't take any notice of them. We had a fantastic visit. Considering how late in the traditional visitor season this is, the place was amazing. Everything looked brand new. From the animal enclosures to the children's play areas, everything was clean and bright. The picnic area was clean and tidy despite it being very busy, and there were plenty of staff on hand to clear tables and picnic benches. Bins were emptied regularly and there was no sign of any litter anywhere. We had cause to use a First Aider in the form of a member of staff and he was very calm, understanding and professional when dealing with our 8-year old's sprained foot. All members of staff were very friendly and helpful. All in all I would 100% recommend this for adults and children alike. A great day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
a wonderful clean ,friendly experience with attentive happy staff clear and informative signage. all children when we visited were excited ,keen and free to explore with all types of amenities offered to a high standard and completely safe environment . one of the best family attractions we have visited.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a superb day out here yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed it. My five year old grand daughter loves Hello Kitty, so she was well pleased. The adventure playground is fantastic; the kids could have easily stayed for hours.
The cafe served tea in 'real' cups, so I was pleased too. Very rare you get a real cup in these places, and the staff were very helpful and polite.
Took a camera and got some lovely close up shots of the animals. Ok, this is a small animal zoo, so don't expect wild cats, etc, but it was very popular on the day I went, and everyone was having a blast!.
The cafe served tea in 'real' cups, so I was pleased too. Very rare you get a real cup in these places, and the staff were very helpful and polite.
Took a camera and got some lovely close up shots of the animals. Ok, this is a small animal zoo, so don't expect wild cats, etc, but it was very popular on the day I went, and everyone was having a blast!.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It had been many many years since I last visited Drusillas and they have certainly invested some money in making this attraction a great day out in Sussex.
Situated on the main road between Lewis and Eastbourne with views of the downs.
We went with 3 boys and a baby and the boys were entertained the whole time, there is plenty to see and do, lots of hands on stuff and educational too! There are several playgrounds throughout the park and places to get an ice cream or have a sit down meal. We were forced to eat in the Oasis Café as our boys wanted burgers and nuggets! Oh, well!
My youngest was so happy that he got to ride on Thomas and we ended the day with the boys playing in the splash pool!
All in all much better value than many other attractions!
Situated on the main road between Lewis and Eastbourne with views of the downs.
We went with 3 boys and a baby and the boys were entertained the whole time, there is plenty to see and do, lots of hands on stuff and educational too! There are several playgrounds throughout the park and places to get an ice cream or have a sit down meal. We were forced to eat in the Oasis Café as our boys wanted burgers and nuggets! Oh, well!
My youngest was so happy that he got to ride on Thomas and we ended the day with the boys playing in the splash pool!
All in all much better value than many other attractions!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lots to do for kids aged 7 and 9. We spent 2 hours in the zoo section, good books to stamp and animal Olympic challenges. Then had anothe 2 hours in the adventure playground, they would happily have stayed for longer. The indoor soft play is good even for older kids. If you take a picnic, as we did, watch out for the very expensive activities surrounding the picnic area, they didn't get our money for food so they tried to get it other ways!! Overall a good day out but it should be for that price!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great day out for the grandkids ( and the adults ) .. Visited on Sunday with perfect weather and all the staff cheerful and welcoming . Kids had great fun in the zoo , the adventure playgrounds , Thomas train ride and not forgetting the Kitty rides .. Grandkids slept on the way home ( sign of a good day out )
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A fun action packed dayout with two four year olds, it couldn't be beaten. There was so much to see and do in both the zoo and playpark. Noticed work had started on a new water attraction for next year so can't wait to return and have a try!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My kids and I absolutely loved it here... it isn't a typical theme park, in that it is nowhere near big enough to be one... it diesnt take long to walk around. but there us so much to do.
My son (4) loved the Thomas the Tank Engine ride and my daughter (11) enjoyed the adventure playground, which is huge. They have a few little farm animals here too. I think the entrance fee is reasonable compared to places like Legoland. You can spend the whole day here and not get bored... there is a nice little restaurant on site too, where we ate and found the food really nice.
I recommend this park to families with young children, it is not aimed at teens at all, but fir young kids it is great .
My son (4) loved the Thomas the Tank Engine ride and my daughter (11) enjoyed the adventure playground, which is huge. They have a few little farm animals here too. I think the entrance fee is reasonable compared to places like Legoland. You can spend the whole day here and not get bored... there is a nice little restaurant on site too, where we ate and found the food really nice.
I recommend this park to families with young children, it is not aimed at teens at all, but fir young kids it is great .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wow! What a day out we had! This place is a zoo and theme park all in one. I took my friends kids so she could have a rest, they are aged 2 & 3 and we all had the time of our lives! They loved all of the different types of animals & the noises the buttons made, then we went on to play in the indoor play area, then the outdoor play area, then on to hello kitty world, then had our faces painted, then got the Thomas the tank engine train! The staff are brilliant at helping you out if you're lost or need anything & felt like the place (unlike some!) wasn't trying to con you. The drinks and snacks were very reasonably priced. I have nothing bad to say about this place and I'm considering buying my friend a membership for Christmas so she can go with them time & time again!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We enjoyed the 3 hours we spent here but really don't understand the hype. Visited with our 1 and 4 year old, our 4 year old is animal mad but she wasn't overly impressed with the animal selection - I would go as far as to say it's more like a monkey world with a few other animals thrown in. The Thomas train ride was awful, there was nothing to look at on the short journey or anything. Hello Kitty secret garden seems very targeted to 2-3 year olds - 3 very simple babyish rides that during mid week term time only run on a timed schedule.
The soft play area was fantastic and the outdoor play area looked good too, but the weather didn't permit using it. Perhaps if the sun had been shining and we had stayed for lunch we may have been able to push our visit to 5 hours but in comparison to other attractions we felt that drusillas was extremely overpriced! £50 for the 4 of us (didn't have to pay for baby), seems overly expensive for what you get.
Would much rather spend a fraction of the price and visit a great farm like bocketts or fishers or spend a tad more and go to longleat or similar
The soft play area was fantastic and the outdoor play area looked good too, but the weather didn't permit using it. Perhaps if the sun had been shining and we had stayed for lunch we may have been able to push our visit to 5 hours but in comparison to other attractions we felt that drusillas was extremely overpriced! £50 for the 4 of us (didn't have to pay for baby), seems overly expensive for what you get.
Would much rather spend a fraction of the price and visit a great farm like bocketts or fishers or spend a tad more and go to longleat or similar
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visit regularly (have annual membership) and i am always struck by how utterly brilliant the staff are at Drusilla's. They are so friendly, approachable, attentive and really engage with the kids. It makes a big difference to our visits and i always think that their staff training must be top notch to produce such a happy set of workers!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Myself and my daughter are big fans of Hello Kitty so we're excited to visit, and we weren't disappointed! Hello Kitty land (as we nicknamed it) was fab! Lovely rides, and a wonderful experience meeting Hello Kitty too! Seeing the wildlife was also a bonus, but the Secret Garden was a dream come true. Thank you Drusillas!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I loved looking after all the different types of animals. Julie (the keeper) was really kind and helpful and she knew a lot about every individual animal. We fed and cleaned out the animals including the porcupine, fruit bats, lemurs and the meerkats. My favourite animals were Woody the raccoon and the two capyburas especially Hector who is shy but very cute. I have done it three times and all those times it was still fun (I hope I get it again for Christmas.) ps. My Mum enjoyed it too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great little zoo with both indoor and outdoor play areas. Some of the animals have quite small enclosures. Over priced but nice for a treat one in a while. The best part of my day was feeding the lorikeets.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visiting Drusillas Park off peak was very enjoyable with my one year old as it wasn't too busy. The cafe was pleasant and had plenty of choice. There was a large variety of animals that all seemed healthy and well cared for. The little rides were enjoyable and we enjoyed a good few hours wandering around. Price is a little bit on the steep side hence I haven't given an Excellent rating but it was still very enjoyable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had not been here for years so decided to visit. Rides on Hello Kitty world were good, play areas great, animals were good, especially the exotic birds that sat on your head and shoulders! We ate in the restaurant and enjoyed some nice nuggets and chips. We have a disabled daughter so a Carer goes free which helps keep the cost down. However an employee ruined the day. My daughter wanted to go on the bouncy slide and we were told to go and pay for it. When I went to the kiosk the young man asked about my daughter and her age, I told him she is 15 and has autism. He then said as she is over 12 she may not be able to go on it and they had a 16 year old child with downs that this happened to. Adults were going on the equipment up to age 12 with their young children. I explained that she is small and slim and would not understand with her autism which would make for problems and ruin her day. He was trying to ring a supervisor but in the meantime my daughter just went on it the once and in fact the lad looking after the slide said it was ok and was understanding.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a really lovely place for children to play and have lots of fun
the zoo is great and its a great idea to get the annual pass as then you can return as many times as you like within that year.
The new Helly Kitty is great and they also do special days were characters turn up- so check the calendar
It gets very busy in the school holidays and its best to turn up first thing when it opens
its also good to go via the park to the right and then go around the zoo later- so the wrong way around- then you can get on the train first thing and dont have to queue either!
They also do zoo keeper days- these are cheaper out of the holidays so a great idea on inset days
Have been many times over the years well worth a visit
the zoo is great and its a great idea to get the annual pass as then you can return as many times as you like within that year.
The new Helly Kitty is great and they also do special days were characters turn up- so check the calendar
It gets very busy in the school holidays and its best to turn up first thing when it opens
its also good to go via the park to the right and then go around the zoo later- so the wrong way around- then you can get on the train first thing and dont have to queue either!
They also do zoo keeper days- these are cheaper out of the holidays so a great idea on inset days
Have been many times over the years well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I bought my son (12) a "zoo keeper for the day" experience and it was worth every penny. I had reviewed some of the larger well known zoos for similar activities and I am so pleased I chose Drusillas. Jack (the zookeeper who showed us around) was very knowledgable despite being new to the role and my son was able to pet, feed and muck out a very wide variety of animals in the 5 and a half hours that we were there. Range of animals extended from bats to meerkats and capybaras to lemurs plus many many more. There is the opportunity to stay to explore further after the experience has finished but sadly we didn't have time. Will definitely be treating other family members to this experience in the future!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was far better than our trip to dreamland. Good value for money plenty of things for kids to play on. Food was a reasonable price and good value. Would definitely recommend any body to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My son has been keeper for a day for his birthday for the last 4 years. You really get an in depth one to one with the keeper. Its a full day working with the animals and he has learnt so much. The staff are fantastic and really passionate about their job. He can't wait for next year.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Kids had a super day, Thomas train, hello kitty rides, paddling pool, outdoor fun park, indoor play area, maze, animals, great food, and beautiful surroundings....definitely worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Drusillas is a great day out for families lots to do from the minute you enter the park. Farm and zoo have a variety of animals all well cared for. Zoolympic is great fun ,how high can you jump , how loud ,how fast can you run etc . Play area at the end is fantastic play equipment for all ages. The real Thomas the tank engine ,the fat controller a fab splash pool and a new hello kitty area with 3 rides make it a fun filled day from start to finish . Get there for opening 10am and stay until 6 pm until it closes and you will just about fit it all in . We ordered on line so got our tickets slightly cheaper £16 per person expensive as there were 11 of us but you do get a full day. Food was 6.50 for burger and chips and £5 for a kids meal average price for a place like this but cheap quality burgers etc, next time we would take a picnic. Hard to find a table to eat as people sitting at tables watching there kids play asked a woman sitting at a 6 seater table if she would share , she said no her kids were sitting there when they got back from playing , tables should be for customers buying food as plenty of other seating areas in the park .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
