Anker Wood — Attraction in North Warwickshire

A Very disappointing return visit! Last year my children came home from a day out, really buzzing about a place called Plantasia. Telling me stories of mazes, nature trails and all the wonderful animals they met. I couldn't wait to go there with them to experience it for myself. So yesterday we went along to the place that is now called Anker Wood. We paid our entry fee (£19.95 for a family ticket) and waited for the site map and maze stamper cards. The boys were really excited by these last time, as it gave them a challenge and they got a sticker for collecting all the stamps (something that is of huge value to most children). The staff member told us the map was on the wall and they didn't do the cards anymore. Oh... Slightly disappointed, but undeterred, we ventured out and headed straight for the first maze. We found (most) of them in quite a sorry state, a lot of the foliage was either missing or badly overgrown. The willow figures were stripped to the bare wire frame and the whole area felt tired and run down. Disappointed we headed over to the large wooded area for the nature trails, but unfortunately it was cordoned off with tape. So we carried on to the animal enclosures. Here we found Chickens, Alpacas, Guinea pigs and Goats. Our youngest found great delight in feeding some rabbits with grass. Although, at no point did a member of staff offer to include any of the children in the official feeding time, nor did they offer to let the children pet the smaller animals. Something my wife tells me was encouraged on the last visit. Finally we headed round to the chipmunk enclosure, it turned out to be a shed on the side of a bird watching hut. This would have been ok if there were chipmunks to be seen, but we looked inside and out and didn't find one. We returned to the main complex feeling like we hadn't really gotten our monies worth. I asked one of the staff members why the woodland trail was taped off and she said she didn't know, suggesting that I ignore the tape and go into the wooded area anyway... We briefly spoke about the site and I expressed my disappointment with the place, but I sensed her getting defensive, so I ended the chat and we left. On reflection, the whole experience felt like they were only interested in taking your money. The magical place that was described to me by my family, seemed to be now a decaying shell. Stripped of the all the things that kids love. Even the soft play was an extra cost. It's a real shame, because you can see that it was, and still could be a real treat for children, if the effort was put in and the staff were more engaging. As it stands, it feels like the owners are just trying to maximize profits whilst barely staying on the right side of...

Went yesterday for a visit. Its a lovely site which I know has been there since 2003. However, there are a number of suggestions I could make for ecological improvement and experience improvement. The pathways could do with a little TLC to make them easier for pushchairs and wheelchairs although it was great to be able to get around a flat surface. The children love the tree walkways, how about extending them and maybe some that go over thee lake too. I think the most upsetting thing from a nature area was the lack of consideration to eco and sustainability. Use echo friendly products. The cups for the tea and coffee are the worst single use plastics you can get. 2.Provide recycling bins for cans etc as it all gets thrown into one or people have to take it home. 3.update the play area especially as people can't go abroad this year and I think there will be a lot more visitors. Facity to purchase fish food to feed the fish and ducks. A revenue earner and feeds the fish for you. Update and expand the aivery and bird viewing area. It's is very popular Ensure the toilets are checked on a regular bases, the ladies was a lot smelly and looked unloved. Maybe sell maps for the mazes or build in treasure hunts for things to spot while in them 8 Reopen the pet /animal side of things as this would bring in a lot of people. You could also see feed for some of them and boost revenue that way. Develop your eco credentials. Have Tree planting, eco activities and have a warden viable at all times to ask questions of or get advise from. You could even develop a nice water play area for children to play in. Like water fountains coming up from below to run through. In other words it's a lovely place but seems unloved and behind the times in relation to saving the planet. Like my grandma's garden left to go wild. I would love to see it brought back to life, readvertised and more eco and sustainable...

We visited ankerwood today having been a regular visitor to Plantasia the previous name for this “attraction” before Dobbies took it over we were so disappointed at the state of the place! It looks like they’ve poured all the money into the tiny softplay for under 8s & left the rest to rot?

I appreciate the price to go into the grounds has dropped but it was only on reading the badly handwritten note on the door did we realise the playground & the animals were gone?! It would have bern useful to have that info on your website as we drove from Leamington Spa to be very disappointed!

The outside area looks like it has been barely tended to, the paths are overgrown the children's trail has gone too! As for the animal part we were horrified to see that some animals were still there that we couldn't reach but looked neglected & bored & the area around their pens look like a dumping ground. Is anyone actually tending these animals? Further round was an aviary with some birds no signage to what they were & again their cage was dirty & the water provided was disgusting. I’m awaiting a response from Dobbies on the animal welfare as i was sufficiently concerned enough to consider reporting it to the rspca.

The play area has been ripped out & the old flooring just left there looking dirty & untidy & a real trip hazard! Do they not have any pride in the appearance of the place? The mazes are overgrown & tatty & its clear there is very little care to the grounds!

There is a small cafe on site which is ridiculously expensive & the staff were not the most welcoming! The loos are nice though!

We were so disappointed it used to be such a lovely place to go but I think they can barely justify their...