Banham Zoo 2025!
We used to be annual pass holders at Banham Zoo and just had that on a rolling basis for years right up until Covid. They really annoyed me with how they treated annual pass holders and adding on time (or not as the case may be in my case) so after that I just stopped my pass and have visited a handful of times only when they’ve had an offer on day tickets.
I do love the zoo and there’s much to praise Banham but that experience really irked me and I just decided to take my annual custom elsewhere. I think they must be struggling like lots of zoos of course as they do keep popping out these incredible day offers which make me go back and this half term is no exception however, this half term the visit was good enough to get me thinking about an annual pass again would you believe – I’m not usually swayed back once I’ve closed a door so what are they doing right?!
Well, essentially, all the things they did right before I guess and I’ve had time to forget about how rude and unreasonable they were back in 2020 (I’m talking myself out of this now) and the kiddos had a great day with friends. The deal was phenomenal with up to 3 children visiting for free with a paying adult (worth noting children get in free with a Blue Peter badge anyway) and because Florence could have gone on one of my friend’s tickets (she has 2 children) we could have all gone for just £22.50. As it happened Florence was staying with a friend in London so I took jimmy and the little two and we had the most glorious day.
We didn’t see any shows or anything, we didn’t even see ALL the animals. The penguins seem to be under lock and key at the moment but I didn’t find out why, probably bird flu. And we just missed a few that we like like the flamingos, meerkats and lemur, but we got so close to the tiger when he came to the window that that would have made the day on its own. The giraffes were incredible to look at all huddled up inside – we could have used the lift to be working with buggies) and the “stinky house”, as Jimmy always called it when he was little, housing the sloth, along with the farm yard, were just as much favourites now as they always have been.
We don’t buy food at Banham on account of it ALWAYS being expensive and not very nice (same company as Roarr! as far as I know and it’s all much of a muchness – not good there either if you ask me) but it was good to note they had Bucket List on site this visit (hopefully it’s a permanent) as that’s VERY good and doesn’t break the bank either, a treat of course, but you don’t mind spending a bit if it’s still good value and the food is really good!
Would we go back to Banham Zoo? Yes! Absolutely. It’s really made me miss my annual pass which currently are £95 for adults and £60 for children. Because the other have Blue Peter badges it would just be me and Posie (maybe Jonny) to buy for AND it does cover Africa Alive too, although it’s been a good few years since we’ve been there and lots of friends have said how downhill that’s gone with apparently no soft play even anymore. We’ll have to try it and see before we make a final decision but I’m tempted after last week, I’m definitely leaning towards it!
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