Chester Zoo (From Keighley News)

Chester Zoo

10:08am Friday 2nd September 2011 in Leisure By David Knights

There's always something to grab your attention at Chester Zoo however many times you go.

And that's not just new newly-arrived animals or babies born to the existing residents.

You can find something new and interesting watching the packs, herds and flocks you've seen before.

We must have visited half a dozen times in the past decade as the kids have grown from toddlers to teenagers.

But our trip last month was the best yet -- funny, thrilling, bewitching, gob-smacking and inspiring.

And as usual -- with the place being so big -- we didn't get to see everything before getting exhausted.

Our previous visit was sun-drenched and most of the animals either lazed around or stayed out of sight.

This time the day was cooler, constantly threatening rain, and perhaps as a result there was more animal action.

A mighty jaguar drew gasps of excitement as it prowled around its rocky enclosure.

Baby elephants followed mom and pop, orang utans and monkeys swung in their enclosures.

Bats landed on my hand and flitted around my face when I spent several minutes standing motionless in their cave.

Giant otters happily ripped giant trout to shreds with their teeth, guzzling the lot, as a keeper talked about them.

We spotted more than a dozen kinds of butterflies -- including several shapes I'd never seen before -- in a humid forest.

We played "Where's Wally” with giant stick and leaf insects and jumped when they suddenly came into view. And like many other visitors we were fascinated by the newly-arrived African painted dogs in their massive enclosure.

We finally got to see the spectacled bears which during previous visits had remained frustratingly out of view.

Particularly popular was the temporary outdoor display of full-size dinosaurs (until October 8) with an electronic heads and spitting action.

And we also found interesting the indoor behind-the-scenes display of Chester Zoo's vets.

It was surreal watching the lemurs playing on their island and seeing a boat full of sightseers floating into view, like some jungle expedition, while fish jumped around them.

In this 110 acre site on the outskirts of Chester there are 7000 animals and over 400 different species -- many endangered. .

For both spectacle and range of animals Chester is the best zoo you can reach within a day's drive from Keighley.

The problem is your kids will probably want to go back soon to catch what they missed and see favourites again.

In short: enough for a whole day, and their some.

Age suitability: younger children will be spellbound, older ones can learn a lot.

Parents: you're going to get tired but there are plenty of refreshments and lots to keep the nippers occupied.

Access: wheelchair access to whole site, monorail and indoor displays; baby-change facilities and toilets around site; electric and manual wheelchair loan, phone in advance 01244 650225.

Extras: cafes, large shop, picnic facilities, large adventure playground, monorail rides (charge) and boats (charge).

Open: daily 10am-6pm (until 6pm September weekends), except December 25-26.

Prices: Adult £17, children (3-15 years) £13, two and under free, concession £15.50, family (two adults + two children) £55.

Getting there: car, junction 14 from M56 and follow brown signs.

Car park: free.

Contact: 01244 380280.

Website chesterzoo.org.