Drusilla’s Park: beyond ordinary

Zara Baker finds a story worthy of a Dreamworks animated film at Drusilla’s Park in East Sussex

One of my earliest memories is shooting down a red slide at some ‘fun park with animals’. Fast forward 22 years, and I find myself return to said park where more fun memories are to be made. This time round, though, it’s not me atop the slide (that would be silly), but my young nephew, who is discovering about nature and animals, just as I did, all those years ago. The best bit? We are right on our very own doorstep… at Drusilla’s Park.

Like the childhood memories made there, another timeless classic at Drusilla’s is Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends (does he ever go out of fashion?). Okay, we may have seen the arrival of the Thin Controller to the show and the Fat Controller being referred to by his real name, Sir Toppham Hat, in a bid to be more PC (remember that one for the quiz on the way round the park!), but classic Thomas reigns at Drusilla’s. With constant trips taking visitors around the park, it’s good to see unlimited free rides on board Thomas for Park visitors. For youngsters, the novelty is waving to Thomas and his riders as they pass – as much as it is to be aboard the iconic train.

Elsewhere, around the park, a circular route takes visitors to see creepy critters, entertaining lemurs and otters, penguins, farm animals, bats and more. It is easy to spend the day exploring, revisiting your favourite animals en route to the Explorers’ Café or gift shop. The entire zoo is bigger than I remembered, which is quite rare when you revisit somewhere as an adult (didn’t Brighton Pier seem huge as a kid?!).

A new arrival for 2013 at Drusilla’s is the Red panda, a gorgeous creature that, while docile, was a sight to behold. It’s hard to pick a favourite animal – you will see species you never knew the name of (yes adults, even you), like the Prairie Dogs, the ground-living squirrels who were as fun as the meerkats and as cute as the otters. My top five list disintegrated as we moved from each enclosure to the next, as it was hard to choose a favourite. All the animals are unique and fascinating, whether you’re into the cute and cuddly or the weird and wonderful.

Catch the penguins or otters at feeding time for an interactive session with the zoo keepers. The ring tailed lemur enclosure is especially fun during their feeding time (they won’t bite!). For young children, a free stamp book can be collected on arrival, increasing their learning experience on their visit as you move around the park, identifying animals and sounds.

Can you run as fast as a cheetah? Put it to the test. Novelty inclusions such as this are great fun whatever your age. Also, see what the outlook is like for a giraffe (no climbing required) or get lost in the maze before you leave the park.

Drusilla’s is a family run business that gets it right. Walk past their timeline history and learn about its creation. The animals are looked after in ample space, and there is plenty to see and do to take up the day. The only downside is trying to drag the children away. In fact, one escaped ‘Bandit’ made the news recently by breaking out and then breaking back in to the park. Don’t fear too much: Bandit is one of Drusilla’s raccoons, who went missing from the park in April. Clearly life on the other side of the fence was not all it was cracked up to be and Bandit returned of her own accord, in an incredible turn of events that almost beggars belief.

The furry fugitive was discovered back with the family group by zoo keeper Katherine Gibson during the routine evening check. A quick scan of her microchip confirmed that Bandit had returned; she appears in good health and seems pleased to be reunited with her fellow outlaws.

Bandit absconded from her enclosure on Friday 26 April, together with her sister. Turpin was found a week later in the Go Wild! adventure play area by two school girls visiting the Park.

If that doesn’t prove what a fun place Drusilla’s is to be then check it out for yourself. It’s easy to get there on the A27.

For more information, opening times and price please visit: www.drusillas.co.uk