Christmas fun at Drusillas Park
Visit Drusillas Park this festive season to see…
Father Christmas
Kids visiting Drusillas Park this Christmas time can visit Santa in his Christmas cottage. Mrs Claus is also there, along with his their helpful Elf. Outside the magical cottage have a family photo taken in Santa’s sleigh. A visit to Father Christmas costs £4 each, with a present for all.
A Winter Wonderland
Visit after 4.30pm daily to see the magical light show. A winter wonderland of polar bears and penguins light up and flash in time to the music. Kids and adults alike will love to take in the sight – you will definitely leave feeling festive and warm inside – no matter what the temperature!
The stunning light display was put together by Channel 4’s King of Christmas Lights Paul Toole. Paul is a leading figure in Christmas light shows and creates one of the biggest festive displays in the country on his own front lawn at Manning Close in Wells, Somerset. The dazzling spectacle draws hundreds of onlookers each night and attracted national attention in 2011 after Paul starred in the Cutting Edge Channel 4 documentary, King of Christmas Lights.
The animal themed light show at Drusillas uses between 60-70,000 LED lights. This concept was originally founded in the USA and is still rare in the UK. Paul has used software from the States in order to achieve this.
It’s definitely a must-see sight during the Christmas holiday!
Cuddling meerkats
As temperatures drop below freezing and many parts of the country receive a scattering of snow, the meerkats at Drusillas Park demonstrate the ‘simples’ way to staying warm! Their enclosure consists of an outside area, but it was indoors where the meerkat family congregate to keep warm, visible to guests through the glass fronted enclosure.
Down on the farm
Away from the zoo path, visit the farm, where hens, pigs, donkeys and gorgeous Shetland ponies reside. It’s a great learning experience for youngsters with the opportunity to ‘milk’ a ‘cow’ and find out more about the dairy products we eat.
Water babies
Back in the zoo, visit the penguins and otters. Be sure to go near feeding time for the chance to see these lively and very entertaining animals. Again, a wonderful learning experience for young and old. Don’t miss the more unusual site of the beavers and capybara too. Visiting here will make you want to watch March Of The Penguins or Tarka The Otter all over again!
Cuddly cuties
From Prairie Dogs (ground living squirrels) to ring-tailed lemurs, Drusillas is home to many species of the furry variety. A visit to the lemurs enclosure during feeding time (relax – fruit and vegetables are their staple diet) is so much fun to see, as the animals bound around the grass enclosure, around the feet of visitors or happily perching next to guests on a fence post.
The llamas (members of the camel family) are best viewed from a ride aboard Thomas the Tank Engine. Meanwhile, rabbits and guinea pigs can be spotted at the foot of ‘Teletubbies hill’.
Creepy Crawlies
Most young children are fascinated by creepie crawlies (and adults too if you’re a fan of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!) At Drusillas visit the Creepy Crawlies den to see tarantulas, cockroaches and more. The python snake will keep you transfixed, and a visit to the bat enclosure will get the pulse racing.
Ride on Thomas The Tank Engine
No visit to Drusilla’s would be complete without a ride aboard Thomas The Tank Engine. At this time of year, our favourite steam locomotive is dressed appropriately for the season in ear muffs. A ride around the park will have the whole family testing their Thomas The Tank Engine knowledge. What’s the Fat Controller’s real name? Climb aboard to find out!
Make your visit complete…
Pack up a picnic, eat in one of the cafés or grab some freshly made doughnuts. There is plenty to see and do and all ages will be kept entertained. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop for a souvenir!
Drusillas Park, near Alfriston (just off the A27). for opening times, prices and directions visit the website: www.drusillaspark.co.uk
