Review of Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
My Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens Review was one of the highlights of my holiday in Great Yarmouth. I love visiting wildlife parks, and I have visited some of the best zoos in the UK, and Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens is up there with some of the best wildlife parks in the UK.
When I visit wildlife parks and zoos, I always take my daughter with me as we both share the same interest and love to see exotic and wild animals up close. One thing I look out for when visiting zoos, is to make sure that the animals come first as they do at Wolds Wildlife Park in Lincolnshire. When we visited Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens it was obvious the animals are well looked after.
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens are stunning, it’s a great and romantic place to walk around. I hope you enjoy my Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens Review.
Who is the founder of Thrigby Hall Wildlife Park
Ken Sims is the founder of Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens. He was inspired by David Attenborough to open the Norfolk Wildlife Gardens and transform it into a magical zoo. Norfolk has several zoos, but Thrigby Hall Wildlife Park is where people keep coming back.
About Thrigby Hall
Thrigby Hall is a magnificent building that was built by Joshua Smith Esquire in 1736.
When was Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens opened to the public
Thrigby Hall Gardens were opened in 1979 after Ken Sims returned from Malaya. Ken Sims spent his time in Malaya as a rubber planter, poisonous snake farmer, and crocodile keeper.
What animals can you see at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
There are lots of great animals to see at the Great Yarmouth Zoo which includes leopards, Asian golden cats, tigers, red pandas, monkeys, macaques, gibbons, otters, peacocks, cockatoos, owls, pheasants, ducks, cormorants, hamsters, chipmunks, porcupines and Prevost’s squirrels.
You can also visit the reptile and swamp house where you will see crocodiles, alligators, and snakes.
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Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens Review
There are lots of zoos in Norfolk and Suffolk, which is ideal if you are on holiday in Great Yarmouth. The Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens Review was my first time visiting the popular Norfolk zoo, and I must be honest, I did not know much about it or what to expect.
However, now I have visited Thrigby Hall, those going on holiday in Great Yarmouth and staying in holiday parks such as Seashore Caravan Park should add it to their list of things to do In Great Yarmouth.
As mentioned, it is easy to get to if you have a car just 16 minutes away.
What I will say about Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, is, and this happens to me all the time when I visit zoos in the UK, I go from an adult and turn into an excited child. Not sure if this happens to you, but it always happens to me. Let me know if you get excited when you visit a wildlife park or zoo.
My Favourite Bits Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
The Gibbons
I loved the Gibbons. You cannot miss them with the incredible noise they make as they communicate with each other. Just don’t make the mistake I once made when first saw Gibbons at a zoo. When I was talking to a friend, I called them monkeys, and all of a sudden, a man appeared and said in a stern voice that they were not monkeys. He gave me a lecture that Gibbons are small apes. I would not mind, but I was only eight at the time.
They have two species of Gibbons at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens. They are the Siamang Gibbons and White Handed Gibbons. There is plenty of room for them to play and swing around. It was a joy to watch them up close having fun.
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Sumatran Tigers
Now, you wouldn’t want a Sumatran Tiger chasing you, would you? But behind an enclosure at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, they are wonderful to see. You are so close to them that you feel like you can touch them, but I would not advise it.
I would recommend heading to the treetops which is the perfect place to see them. It has been previously said that the tiger tunnel is a bit of a disappointment, and the treetop platform is so much better. Not sure I would agree that the tiger tunnel is a disappointment, but I do agree that the treetop platform is a great experience. You are so close to them. Be warned, with it being very popular, you may have to wait.
For me, the Gibbons and the Sumatran Tigers were more than enough to satisfy me at the Norfolk animal park, but there was still so much to see.
Leopards
When I decided to do a review of Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens I didn’t expect to come across one of my favourite animals. Leopards have always fascinated me. Sadly, there are only around 250,000 Leopards left in the world which are divided into 9 subspecies.
There are three species of Leopard at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, Snow, Clouded, and Amur Leopards. They are stunning. The best way to see them is the Tiger Tree Walk. I would highly recommend the Tiger Tree Walk.
Tiger Tree Walk
I am going to explain more about the Tiger Tree Walk also known as the treetop platform. The Tiger Tree Walk at the Norfolk Zoo is a great idea and I applaud Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens for introducing it. It takes you right above the tigers and offers great views. As mentioned, it is popular, so you may have to wait until it is your turn, but for the experience, it is well worth the wait.
Swamp House
If you love crocodiles, then you will love the Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens Swamp House. There are two species of crocodiles at Thrigby Hall. They are the Mugger and the iconic Salt Water. There is also an American alligator at the Swamp House. I must admit, it was only until my late twenties that I understood the difference between a crocodile and an alligator.
When I was doing my Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens Review and stood at the Swamp House, I kept on thinking about a video I saw on TikTok where a man was cuddling a crocodile. I could not see myself doing that, and I must say, there are some strange people around. Yes, they are fascinating creatures, and I love seeing them at UK zoos, but I would not want to get that close to one.
One great thing about inside the Swamp House is you can move around on raised walkways that provide you with a stunning view of the reptiles. If you want to come even closer to the crocodiles then you can follow the walkway which takes you down below water level, where you can see them even closer.
Walk-Through Aviary
There are lots of things to see at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens. From wild animals to some of the most beautiful you will ever see. One great example of that is the Walk-Through Aviary. There is a raised pond that provides a great view of the ducks, and if you are lucky, you will also see the ducklings.
Playgrounds
There are lots to see and do at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens for children including the playgrounds. There is a 3D Adventure Maze, a large slide, climbing frames, and a tree rope play area to name a few. This is s the perfect finish to a wonderful day at the Norfolk zoo.
Summary Of My Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens Review
My daughter and I really enjoyed our visit to the Norfolk wildlife park. It’s obvious the animals come first.
One thing that I would love to see at the Norfolk wildlife park is a butterfly enclosure like at Natureland Seal Sanctuary in Skegness.
It was a great day out and value for money, I would highly recommend it for those living in or near Great Yarmouth, or those that go on a Staycation at Great Yarmouth.
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens FAQ
Is there food and drink available?
There is a café at Thrigby Hall that serves drinks and hot and cold food
Is there parking at Thrigby Hall?
Yes! There is free car parking available at Thrigby Hall
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens opening hours
Monday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens is open almost all year round. For up-to-date opening times please visit their website.
Is Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens Dog friendly?
Only assistance dogs are permitted.
Where is Thrigby Hall Wildlife Park
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Park is a zoo near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. It is about 16 minute’s drive from the centre of Great Yarmouth and around 8 miles away.
What is the address of Thrigby Hall Wildlife Park
Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens
Filby Road, Thrigby,
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk NR29 3DR
