Howletts Day Biglietto

Very very disappointed on this visit - have been many times before but since the old Mr Aspinal died the place seems very run down. Also found food and drinks very expensive.

We visit howletts quite regularly and have since my now teens were smaller. When we booked it was February half term, and it was chaos. The booking was clearly over run there was no parking, we were instructed to part at on the actual pathway and told that parking was at our own risk. The park was so busy and noisy that all of the usual animals had hidden themselves away and it was hard to spot anything. We’d gone this time as a treat for my daughter turning 13. But unlike usual it was a huge disappointment. Iv this was my first experience of Howletts I’d never return. Luckily I have been in the past and know it’s actually a lovely day out when it’s not over crowded with screaming children.

+1

Absolutely fantastic experience. Lots to see in the park and the vip elephant experience was really fantastic. Friendly and knowledgeable keeper and an unforgettable close up with not one but 5 of the elephants. A perfect and unforgettable birthday treat for my nan's 90th birthday surprise.

I could sit here and tell you all about how amazing the animals are, and please don't for a moment think that they are not. They are beautifully cared for and I felt privileged to be able to see so many amazing animals. What I want to review is one man named Ersin. I am a SEN parent, my son is 5 and diagnosed autistic, a week before our trip out family pet had needed to be put to sleep and he had been extremely disregulated since this happened. We had a brilliant time with minimal issues when my son felt that everything was too much. The meltdown was intense, it had been going on for around 40 mins, I was so close to tears myself and in the play park on the opposite side of the park to the exit. I can't carry him, I had no way to get back to the entrance to leave and I could feel a thousand eyes watching me feel that I was failing as a parent. Ersin, my knight in shining armour, walks up to a screaming child with his litter picker and offers him a go with it. That is all it took for my son to snap out of this meltdown, a new friendly face, he talked to my son about his job and asked him about the animals, my son was able to ask him about the radio that he carries with him and Ersin made my son, (who, as previously stated had been crying for over 40 mins) laugh. He showed us to his buggy and offered us a lift to the elephant enclosure after my son said that was his favourite part of the park. Because of him, the day was saved. I wish there was a better way to tell you how I felt in that moment. Ersin saved me in that moment and I am forever grateful to him for it. To be able to walk up to a SEN child and know how to approach them and bring them out of a meltdown is a skill that you have to be born with. So Howletts..... This man needs the biggest raise you can offer and if you ever want to do a SEN department. He needs to be the head of it.

Took our two grandchildren of 4 yrs and 2yrs and they had a great time seeing lots of animals as weather was not too hot. Play area was great for the 4 yr old, however not too much for the 2 yr old. Would have loved to have given 5 stars but the cafe food was awful…very expensive and after two mouthfuls of gristle from an overpriced sausage roll I had to give the remainder a miss, maybe take a picnic. Big Shout out to the staff who gave the Ape and Big cats talk..very informative.

Have been to alot of wildlife parks over the uk in the past 10 years and have always been very impressed. Im sad to say howlets is one of our least favourite to visit. The place looks run down and very uncared for. We saw endless cages of monkeys and lemure and a couple of elephants but that's about it. We dident eat at the restaurant as the food looked poor. We walked the whole park in about 2 hours and left feeling very disappointed. Not somewhere we would return to.

Wonderful day. A bit cooler so lots of annimals about.

We were a family of 5 adults and a 18 month old baby. It was a very hot day 15/8/26. It was 33 degrees. The wide variety of animals was good. This venue could do with numerous water fountain, there were none on the route to animals. Also this venue is showing signs of needing investment as it looks tired. The pavilion restaurant which we had a meal was expensive. The outside seating is in need of repairs as we sat on one bench that we felt was unsafe.

We were vey happy. But we couldn't find the elephants. Probably our fault. Delighted with the Gorillas and the monkeys.

So disappointed been many times but find the park very poor lots of empty unused cages. Catering very poor nothing worth having at 13.10 and if your child didn’t like cheese tough and the cheese that was in the sandwich was so very thin poor for £7.00 why do they use dirty smelly diesel buggy’s polluting the air and children’s lungs. Sewage tank collecting waste driver in can and no banks man very unsafe so sad things have declined not going back sorry