Banham Zoo, while clean and well-organized, left much to be desired during our visit. Despite the neat layout and the care taken to maintain the grounds, the overall experience was disappointing due to a few key issues.

First, the variety of animals was limited, which made the visit feel somewhat lackluster compared to other zoos. The lack of staff engagement was also noticeable, with very little interaction or effort to engage with visitors about the animals. This absence of connection was particularly evident in the fact that there were no shows or demonstrations to highlight the animals and their behaviors, which is something many families look forward to when visiting a zoo.

There was one talk about the howler monkeys, but it was conducted in the main walkway, which felt awkward and poorly planned. The presentation lacked the focus and environment needed to really appreciate and learn about these fascinating animals. It’s clear that the zoo’s planning and execution in this regard could use significant improvement.

One of the more enjoyable aspects was a fun ride through the park, where the guide was knowledgeable about the animals. Unfortunately, even this experience was dampened by the fact that we didn’t actually see many animals during the ride, leaving us feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Nina and Lettie did manage to enjoy their time at the zoo, but overall, the experience didn’t live up to expectations. The pricing was another downside, with entry fees and merchandise in the gift shop being on the expensive side. For example, small stuffed toys were priced at £11.00 and up, which seemed excessive given the overall experience.

In summary, while Banham Zoo has some positives, like its cleanliness and knowledgeable staff on the ride, the limited animal variety, lack of engaging shows, and awkward presentation left us feeling disappointed. It’s one of the least impressive zoos we’ve visited, and we wouldn’t plan a return visit.