We (me, husband & 12 yr old daughter) went to Paradise Park for a special celebration and, through Virgin Experiences, booked to 'Meet The Meerkats'.
This was a fabulous experience - you can choose 11.30 am or 3.30 pm. We chose pm as it was supposed to be a 90 minute journey (most of it on the M25) so we didn't want any pressure if stuck in traffic. Good move as M25 was closed from Junc 23 - 25 and we had to find another route.
We made it by 11.30am and enjoyed looking around the zoo before & after lunch. I noted that it looked like a particularly good place children aged 3 - 7yrs old as there was loads of play areas for that sort of age group.
The zoo area was lovely with good vantage points for most of the exhibits - especially as they had wooden walk ways up high which gave great views of the tigers, lions and leopards.
The highlight of our day, however, was our special treat of meeting the meekats. Us, plus another party of 3, gathered at the Discovery Centre at the allotted time. We were intially disappointed that there were to be so many of us but, as we walked through the zoo, we discovered that we were splitting into two groups, so we would be on our own after all.
The very pleasant young keeper took us to a private area away from the public which suited my daughter much better than being on view due to her shyness. We went into an enclosure with 5 of the cutest meerkats and our keeper gave us a bowl of their favourite food.
The meerkats were friendly, curious, inquizitive and lively often wanting to actually jump into the bowl of food! They were not in the least bit threatening and were actually very gentle creatures. They climbed all over us, sat on our shoulders/heads and generally played with us for a full half an hour. It was such fun. Our keeper was taking photos on our camera throughout so we have some great visual memories. We were also each given a certificate and a Paradise Park T-shirt as momentoes.
We would highly recommend the meerkat experience which can be bought direct from Paradise Park or through Virgin Experiences or Buy-a-Gift (the 2 latter companies often have deals such as 2 for 1). There is also a Lemur experience or you can feed the big cats!
It was a great day!

This park has grown alot over the last 10 years. There is something new every time I go.

The animals are great - including my personal favourite - Tapirs.

THe viewing points are good. The tree top cafe overlooking the lions is great. Good selection of animals and the keepers are very friendly.

Away from the animals there are woodland walks, various rides, bouncy castles, outdoor swimming pool, soft play area, swings and climbing frames, assault courses - loads.

And not more than 15 minutes from the M25...

a really lovely place where the animals enclosures are easily viewed from ground level, and walkways that are wide enough for prams take you up above the enclosures for an even better view. when the children have had enough of the animal viewing, there is a lot more to do like the climbing and assault course, and also an indoor soft play area. altogether a good day out

Yesterday I spent nearly 5 hours shadowing the keeper of the big cats. It was a 65th birthday present from my family, and was a fantastic experience. Steve the keeper was very friendly and knowledgable, and helped make it a fun time. I helped clean the tigers cage, prepare foods for the tigers, lions, the cheetah, and the ocelot. With instruction from Steve I hand fed the tigers, and stood beside Steve as he fed the cheetah in her enclosure. What a great birthday present.

What a great park, outside of London. this is my local wildlife centre and its great for a full day out for the family; lots to do and see with every conceivable climbing frame possible. Bring a picnic - as food and refreshments are not good value and the entrance fee comes out quite pricey when there are four of you.

This is a real surprise. Approached via what looks like a residential area the first time I went I wasn't expecting much but once you get there there is a wide variety of some of the world's rarest cats plus other animals. Its not huge so you won't get exhausted walking round it and there are quite a few things for the little ones to do it you have kids; from soft play to rides. Some might say this detracts from the main purpose as a wildlife park but if you have kids then I think you will be thankful for it. As for the cats - they are all in amazing condition and part of essential conservation work so by attending you are really helping them. The only down side is the food - the restaurant is all about the smell of chip fat and the food is all fried. There is a new coffee shop now at the back though where you can get snacks (and cake!) so things are getting better. I would whole heartedly recommend a visit if only to stand 2 foot from a stunning snow leopard!

This is one of the better zoos i have been to for accessibility the Car park has lots of spaces and the layout has been thought about to a point if yoiu are a fit disabled person you are ok as things like there show area is not designed at all for wheelchairs and the restaurant table areas is not that well spaced as is the entry into the indoor playarea.

So overall it is a good day out just be warned that unless you physically fit you may have trouble access areas of the zoo.

all the animals were relatively easy to spot and we had a great day out so highly recomended

Went there today with snow on the ground absolutely freezing but there was more activity with all the wildlife than you could expect on a freezing cold day. The BIG CATS were so active and quite happy in their enviroment, feeding time was a fantastic experience.
All the animals seemed comfortably at home and active even in that weather, but mostly they seemed content unlike our visit to London Zoo a few weeks earlier which left me feeling appalled with the conditions from what is supposed to be a leading light in zoology, I felt ashamed that we were letting the country down. Years ago we all used to look at Zoos throughout Europe and criticise them but I have nothing nice to say about London Zoo, just one visit will confirm our fellings about it. WELL DONE PWP for keeping up the work started many years ago when it was taken over from Broxbourne Zoo by zealous commited new owners who have transformed a basically run down animal zoo into a place of contentment for the animals and the public. PS. I like the new refurb setup, it's nice to see the profits going back into the welfare of the animals and visitors.

A marvellous experience to see the animals. The staff were so keyed up on the animals it was obvious that they really enjoyed working there. We observed how kind the staff were to curious children although maintaining safety standards at all time. Entrance fee is a little on the steep side, but bearing in mind the location still proves to be value for money!

not up to my original high expectations, a bit small didnt take long to walk round, had considered doing a walk with the wolves tour but after being there and observing someone else having one it would of been too expensive for what you get in return, its probably ok if you have small children as there is a play area and as it wont be a long day they wont get tired, close up to the meercats was fun, but if your serious about you animals then whipsnade is the place

I've been here about 5 times with the kids and groups. Its not a particulary large zoo which makes it easier if you have really young children to get around and see the whole place, not only do they have animals but loads of outdoor fun and softplay and a splash pool, a great day out.

The animals are well looked after. The snow leopard fantastic

Very good for children Have days where you can shadow a keeper

Easy to get to. Lots of animals and shows. Great day out for the kids.

Went with my mum for the Zookeper Challenge experience.....what an amazing day! Our guide was enthusiastic, friendly and very knowledgeable on all things furry. He explained about the conservation efforts that the park assists with.
The park is well laid out and allows you to get as close to the animals as you possibly can......perfect for the camera lovers out there.
Will definitely be going back in the summer :0)

Had an amazing experience whilst I visited here! Staff were brilliant and I was so close to all the animals within re park! Amazing for the whole family!

went on a very hot day and enjoyed the huge paddling pool and had a picnic on the large grassy area. fairly good selection of animals liked the insect house,got to hold a tarantula!!

The park had variety, looked lovely and was very educational, especially for special needs which was great as I was there with a disabled group of kids. Park is awesome and there is even park for people in wheelchairs.

Animals are well cared for and there is information provided to bring their situation and care to life.
Local and small so easy to visit if you don't have time to do one of the larger parks.

We have been twice to Paradise Wildlife Park, it is a great day out. A good variety of animals, from big cats to farmyard animals. Rocky the tiger is a favourite, he is gorgeous. Another highlight is the fruit bats, who you can go in with. Go at the end of the day when they start to become a bit more active. They also have rabbits who you can feed (bags of food can be bought for £1) which is great fun. Some of the other animals are also allowed to be fed, check the signs on the enclosures.
It is also quite small which means you can walk round lots of times and good for kids who can get tired out easily.
I have been to a lot of zoos and wildlife parks and this one is highly recommended.

animals looked really sad and made my kids cry because they looked so malnourished and sad! please give them more food!!

although becoame better when i saw some lions doing each other in the bottom

Took my grandchildren and daughter. We had a super day. Penguins and Meercats were our favourite, a must for the family and quite well priced.

I decided to take my camera for a walk and what better place than a zoo. I chose the Paradise because it wasn't very far away - Junction 25 on the M25 - easy to get to, very easy to get around, well laid out, and great for buggies. Best of all they have reduced the prices for the winter and, being a senior for the first time, it was well reduced, I paid only nine pounds, and that for a day out is great value.

The sun was shining, but it was very cold, so all the animals were out and about, just right for the kids and the photographer. No hills like some of our zoos, but you could go above the animals on the walkways, for a really good view.

The Kiddies loved the farm animals that they could get close to, and they weren't bombarded by baby goats (yet!) wanting food.

The food courts were warm, comfy and not too expensive, about average I would say. The staff were great, pleasant, helpful and with lovely smiles. I learned a lot about the wolves, by having a one to one with a lovely lady keeper, who knew what she was talking about. The only thing that took this from Excellent to Very Good was the bird show, I think it was too cold, the birds didn't want to play, so we watched three ducks have a race and a lovely owl try to fly, and she didn't want to, not that it was the keeper's fault, but we were getting colder and colder sitting there waiting.

A great day out for me and everyone who was there, I'm sure, there were a lot of smiles, so one assumes everyone was having a good time.

Was a good day out for all the family, only problem was during the winter some of the park was not in use, best time to go would be spring, summer or early autumn. I was lucky enough to have tickets and a family of four only cost 25 pounds but if you paid even double this for this visit during the summer it would be good value for a family of four.

You can take a picnic or eat in one of the dining areas which was reasonable. There was even a place to eat a more healthy diet in the soft play area. Overall this was a good day out.