This Halloween half term we spent half of it in Norfolk visiting my Mum. We’re soon to be moving back to the county from London and because we’re used to having a plethora of activities to do in the capital, we are starting think about the things we will be able to do when we move.

We decided that we would buy three or four annual passes to local attractions and spent three days this holiday doing a reccy of what’s on offer. We went to Pensthrope Natural Park which has recently had a whole new indoor play area and BeWILDerwood which we always love and had brilliant days at both. However, on those two days we did feel utterly exhausted after our trips. While we relish a full day out we thought it might be nice to have something a little more gentle, a place we could pop in and spend just a while if we fancied or spend longer if the mood took us too. We thought Amazona Zoo in Cromer would be the very place.

We’ve visited before, about a year and a half ago, so we knew that the lay out of the zoo which houses animals native to the Amazon (and some UK birds too) offers a quiet walk, with lots to see but not too much and play areas for all weather conditions. Last time we went the children had lots of fun in the soft play area (Jungle Tumbles) and were very much looking forward to going back.

Jonny hadn’t been before so we took him along too and it proved to be the sort of place Daddy likes the very best. It wasn’t very busy despite being a Saturday in half term, or it didn’t feel so anyway. We felt very secluded and as if the zoo was there just for us. At every animal feeding talk, we found it a very intimate experience and something you would have to pay through your nose for at an attraction in London.

Look what a wonderful time we had!

The children (and us it has to be said) thoroughly enjoyed the feeding sessions that we attended. We saw the otter and then the Jaguar’s have their supper and the zoo keeper, Sam, was brilliantly informative on both occasions while being thoroughly entertaining. He was very happy to asnwer our questions after the presentations and because we got to be super close to the animals it was a very special experience.

There aren’t hundreds of animals at the zoo but with the large cats such as the jaguars, pumas and ocelots it certainly doesn’t lack in wow factor. The last time we visited we’d enjoyed seeing the cayman’s who had all had fights with each other and bitten feet and tails off each other but this time they were being very shy so we only saw a couple with their noses poking above the water. We particularly enjoyed all the little monkeys, recoiled at the giant snakes and marvelled at the mara who just roam freely throughout the park. A highlight for Jimmy was watching the tapirs and capybaras doing poos in their pool while I liked reading about the beautiful flamingos as I watched them standing on one leg in front of their large mirror.

The day was gentle and calm and yet fun all the same. It wasn’t great weather but it did stay dry for us which was a bonus however there are spots to picnic even if there is precipitation. The cafe on site looks out over the water and is a lovely spot to sit. A thotoughly gorgeous few hours was had by us and while we might not be able to make a whole day of it in the colder weather, we think it’s still a strong contender for an annual pass when we move! In the sunshine I can imagine staying all day but also, because it isn’t HUGE and is so close to Cromer we could combine it with a beach jaunt. We worked out for all five of us (including my Mum who is a senior and Jimmy who is free as he’s under 4) it would cost us only £96 for a whole year’s worth of Amazona Zoo fun! I would thoroughly encourage anyone to pay it a visit and we will almost certainly be back soon. I plan on camping trips to Cromer and it will be lovely to have Amazona to go to when we’re there as well as just popping in throughout the year.It’s about a half an hour drive from Norwich but the best bit is that the train and bus stops close enough to walk so there’s absolutely no need to drive at all!

Here are some of our favourite pictures from Amazona Zoo where we have a fabulous day out over half term last week!

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