New Forest Wildlife Park
Whilst we were in the New Forest over easter, we visited the New Forest Wildlife Park. We haven’t visited a wildlife park for ages, so I thought this would be a lovely idea.
The first thing you walk through when you arrive, is the small children’s play area, so of course my children wanted a play first. It was a fantastic play area for small children (up to age 6). It had lots of roped climbing equipment that you normally find in bigger children’s adventure playgrounds, only it was in miniature! The children absolutely loved it, I thought it was so cute! There was also a lovely sandpit with a digger, so that kept BB amused for ages.
Once we managed to prize the children away from the playground, our first stop was the butterfly house. I wasn’t sure how the kids would react to lots of butterflies fluttering around, but there wasn’t very many at this time of year, so it was good to just spot a few.
The best part though, was the cupboard of all the cucooned butterflies, not yet emerged. It was amazing, I’ve never seen that before. The children were fascinated, especially BB. We talked to them about the life cycle of the butterfly using ‘the very hungry caterpillar’ as an example. It was a great learning experience for all of us!
We walked on further, to the otters and happened to be there just at feeding time, so enjoyed watching them devour lots of meat. It was a bit smelly though! 
We really did like the otters, they were very cute, we could have watched them for ages.
We visited the deers, which was lovely, as we could get really close to them and the children even got a stroke. They said they felt very soft (hmm, not sure about that?).
We visited lots of other animals whilst here, but these were our favourites.
We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the big children’s adventure playground, which BB used, but my 4 yr old girls only climbed on the lower ropes. BB even went across the very high, long rope bridge.
After we had seen all the animals, we went back to the small children’s play area for more fun. I just had to add this photo of Boo as she was so proud of the sandcastle she made!
It was a lovely day out for all of us, we saw lots of animals and learnt loads too. We had fun in the play areas and loved every minute of it.
This looks brilliant! I love that they have otters. I think William is to come across an otter.
I loved the otters!
Looks like a lovely family friendly place for a day out. I really want a big sand pit like that for Coombe Mill.
Ah yes, all the kids love a big sand pit, they were in it for ages!
Looks like a lovely day out, loving the miniature play area – so cute and so much fun for little ones who can’t usually manage the bigger versions! The caterpillar/butterfly cocoons sounds fascinating too and a great way for the kids to learn about it
#letkidsbekids xx
It was a really good day out, and that miniature playground was amazing!
let kids be kids??? I apologise for my baby brain, I meant #savouringtheseason! xx
Love that pic of your daughter holding her nose – hilarious! Looks like you had a fabulous day! Those low-ropes at the start look fantastic! Thanks so much for your faithfulness in linking up to #SavouringtheSeason
we had a lovely day, thank you
Looks like a great day out! #PoCoLo
Thank you, it was
Awww looks so much fun. I think my son wouldve enjoy this place. He loves play area =) #pocolo
it was good fun
I’m impressed you managed to prize them away from the play area at all-it looks great fun! Sounds lovely.
Yes, I was impressed too, though I did have to promise we would go back again at the end of the day
Oh this looks like alot of Fun! #PoCoLo
It was great!
That looks like a lovely place to visit, I’m sure my three would love it there. We have somewhere similar near us and we visited during the Easter Holiday. #PoCoLo
It was lovely there. Hope you enjoyed your Easter trip too
Looks like you had fun! I really like the caterpillar display. #PoCoLo
Thanks, we did all have lots of fun
Thanks for linking up! #FamilyFriday
Otters are one of my favourite animals – I always enjoy seeing them at Newbury Show (which I think you’re near to as well!)
Yes, very close to Newbury.
Popping back for #CountryKids
Great fun. I could spend ages watching the otters too. Looks like a fun play area. #CountryKids
It was fab!
what a great play area – I don’t think we would ever leave.
It took a bit of persuading to get my kids to leave
this looks like such a super place! i would of loved the cocoons, i have never seen one like this!
tanks for linking up with #PoCoLo x
It was amazing, thanks
Looks like a great place for a family day out! #PoCoLo
It was lovely
I love visiting places like this when we go on holiday – it makes you realise that you probably do more and see more and the kids probably learn more than they would if you went off abroad to some package hotel somewhere. Gotta love England and staycations! #What’stheStory?
Definitely, my kids learn and enjoy far more I think visiting place here than abroad at the moment
Looks lovely there! My kids can be tricky to drag out of play areas, too
Awesome play area, we could kill a whole day just in that bit! Great day. #pocolo
I think we would have if the children had got their way
Oh wow this place looks wonderful. So much to see and a great play area too. Hope the rest of the weekend was great too. I’m itching to go to a wildlife park so I must see how far this is (we’re in Surrey). Lovely post, thank you so much for sharing #whatsthestory
It was lovely there. We had a great few days thank you
Looks like a really fantastic place, the play area looks great, my two would want to spend all day just playing there. We went to a butterfly house just this weekend and the girls loved it. #countrykids
Thanks, it was lovely there
Oh this looks like a fun place to visit! I must add it to our bucket list for our next New Forest visit.
It was a good place