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Tropiquaria Wildlife Park
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Tropiquaria Wildlife Park
For a great day out, visit Tropiquaria Animal and Adventure Park on the A39 near Watchet. Set in an art deco BBC transmitter hall built in the 1930s, Tropiquaria is one of West Somerset's most diverse leisure attractions. Within the hall there is a collection of reptiles and free-flying birds, with, in the basement, a large aquarium. There is also a puppet theatre with an award winning puppeteer and a radio museum which charts the history of BBC radio from the 1930s until the present day.
Outside, in the grounds are a number of enclosures with a range of larger animals including otters, lemurs and meerkats, a large play barn with cafe, and an outside play fort complete with zip wire. There are also two full-size replica pirate ships set in a sea of sand where young buccaneers can re-enact famous scenes from history, or just get carried away exploring, whilst mum and dad sit on the terrace and keep a watchful eye on them. It is an exciting hands-on experience - in the wonderful Tropical Hall, where the marmosets roam free, you can get to grips with a boa constrictor and have a personal encounter with a tarantula.
Situated beneath the Tropical Hall is the Aquarium, where you can gaze in awe at weird and wonderful fish from around the world. Don't miss seeing an amazing show in the Shadowstring Puppet Theatre. Outside in the gardens there is an interesting and varied collection of animals and birds. As well as the usual adventure fort and trampolines, for the young or even the young at heart there are two full-size pirate galleons at anchor on the front lawn, along with a cafe area which is a great sun-trap on warm days. Don't miss the new Indoor Play Castle where you can sit and sip your cappuccino and watch the children play or join in with the fun.
When the kids stop running around, there is a wide range of meals and snacks is available in the cafes, or if the weather is good you can enjoy a picnic in the park.
Its Touchy, Feely, Creepy, Crawly, Cuddly, Strokey. Reptiles, creepy crawlies, tropical aquarium, exotic animals & birds PLUS: Stroke a Snake, Handle a Tarantula, Adventure Playground, Outdoor wildlife, Amazing Aquarium, Washford's unique radio Museum, Shadows string puppets and Cafe & Gift Shop
Tropiquaria is West Somerset's best known tropical house and adventure park. Based on an original 1930s art-deco BBC transmitter hall and grounds, it still takes much of its heating from the waste heat generated by the BBC Wales transmitters. Inside there are a number of free-flying birds, an aquarium and a large number of reptiles, some of which may be handled by the public at several sessions during the day. Outside in the grounds there are a number of animals and two full size replica pirate ships. Other inside attractions include a puppet theatre with regular shows, and a radio museum. There is also a large cafe with indoor play fort so that mum and dad can relax whilst the youngsters play.
Tropiquaria's school holidays are always busy with lots of extra things to do. Summer fun this year includes pirate days, animal fun days and a circus skills day every week. School groups are welcomed and several areas of the national curriculum can be covered. Other groups are also encouraged and reasonable discount rates are offered for advanced bookings.
Tropiquaria is open daily from Easter to the start of November, and always at weekends and on Mondays.
Pay Tropiquaria a visit for an entertaining and different day out!
Telephone: +44 (0) 1984 64068
Tropiquaria Animal and Adventure Park
Washford Cross
Watchet
Somerset
TA23 0QB
Contributed by: Liam Johns, Myr Underwood
