Drusillas Park
Drusillas Park is a small zoo located near Alfriston, East Sussex, England, that attracts a significant number of visitors annually. It features a variety of wild and domestic animals, alongside numerous interactive attractions, play areas, and rides designed for families.
Key Facts
- ›Covers an area of 10 acres (4.0 ha).
- ›Originally began in 1925 as 'Drusilla's Tea Cottage'.
- ›Animals were introduced to the park after its initial establishment.
- ›Features a 'Zoolympics challenge' for children to compare their abilities to animals.
- ›Previously hosted Europe's first Hello Kitty-themed attraction.
- ›Includes extensive play areas, a train ride, and other family-oriented attractions.
Lemurland, Farmyard, Walk-Through Lorikeet Aviary, Discovery Centre, Mokomo's Jungle Rock, Go Safari!, Rainforest Adventure, Hello Kitty Secret Garden
Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Meerkats, Camels, Giant Anteaters, Penguins, Sulawesi Crested Macaques, Brown Capuchin Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Lar Gibbons, Servals, Crested Porcupines, Rodrigues Fruit Bats, Asian Small-Clawed Otters, Red Pandas, Humboldt Penguins, Binturongs, Chilean Flamingos, Fennec Foxes, Rock Hyraxes
About Drusillas Park
Drusillas Park is a compact zoo situated near Alfriston in East Sussex, England. Attracting between 350,000 and 370,000 visitors annually, it is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, featuring a variety of wild and domestic animals alongside numerous interactive attractions and play areas.
History
The origins of Drusillas Park trace back to 1925 when it was established as "Drusilla's Tea Cottage" by Douglas Ann and his first wife, Drusilla. Animals were integrated into the attraction at a later point. The establishment faced a closure between April and November 1954 due to a fire. Management of the park was passed to Ann's sons in 1959. In 1997, Laurence and Christine Smith acquired the park from the Ann family, and they remain its current owners.
Animals and Attractions
Drusillas Park has progressively expanded its collection of animal exhibits while maintaining a focus on smaller species. The zoo's inhabitants include a range of primates such as Sulawesi crested macaques, brown capuchin monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and lar gibbons. Other animals include servals, crested porcupines, Rodrigues fruit bats, Asian small-clawed otters, red pandas, Humboldt penguins, binturongs, Chilean flamingos, fennec foxes, rock hyraxes, two Bactrian camels named Lofty and Roxy, and two giant anteaters. Notable exhibits also feature Lemurland, a small farmyard, and a walk-through lorikeet aviary where visitors can feed the birds. The park also houses a Discovery Centre containing confiscated animal parts like pelts and tusks.
Interactive experiences are a key feature, including the 'Zoolympics challenge' that allows children to gauge their physical abilities against various animals. 'Mokomo's Jungle Rock,' opened in 2003, features animatronic animals that sing about the food chain. The adventure play area is divided into 'Go Bananas!' for children under six and 'Go Wild!' for older children, with an indoor soft play centre also available. Mungo's Maze offers an interactive puzzle experience.
Major Projects and Themed Attractions
"Go Safari!" represents the park's most significant project to date, involving a million-pound investment and over a year of preparation before its opening in May 2017. This initiative included new rides such as The Flying Cheetahs and Hippopotobus. Previously, from 2007 to 2017, Drusillas Park hosted a permanent Thomas & Friends train ride.
Drusillas Park was home to the first permanent Hello Kitty attraction in Europe, the Hello Kitty Secret Garden, which opened in 2014 and featured three children's rides. This partnership ended in December 2021.
In 2019, the Rainforest Carousel was introduced, featuring 30 rideable rainforest animals. The area formerly occupied by the Hello Kitty Secret Garden was redeveloped into The Rainforest Adventure, which opened in May 2022, incorporating rides like the 'Toucan Twister' and 'Jungle Jeeps'.
Recognition
Drusillas Park has received several accolades, including being rated the top attraction in Southern England by The Daily Telegraph in May 2014. It was also shortlisted by The Times for 'The Best Theme Park Half-term Holidays' in the same month. In 2014, it won Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Sussex Life Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards and was a winner in the Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure category at the Sussex Business Matters Awards.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Drusillas Park first open?
Drusillas Park originated in 1925 as 'Drusilla's Tea Cottage,' operated by Douglas Ann and his first wife, Drusilla. Animals were added to the attraction at a later date.
What kind of animals can be seen at Drusillas Park?
The zoo houses a range of both wild and domestic animals, focusing on smaller species. Notable residents include ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, camels, giant anteaters, penguins, Sulawesi crested macaques, servals, and red pandas.
What are the main attractions for children at Drusillas Park?
Drusillas Park offers an adventure play area separated for different age groups, an indoor soft play centre, and the Safari Express train ride. Interactive sections like 'Mokomo's Jungle Rock' with animatronic animals and Mungo's Maze are also popular.
Has Drusillas Park always been a zoo?
No, the park began as 'Drusilla's Tea Cottage' in 1925. Animals were introduced later, and the management transitioned over the years, with Laurence and Christine Smith becoming owners in 1997.
What was the Hello Kitty Secret Garden attraction?
The Hello Kitty Secret Garden was the first permanent Hello Kitty attraction in Europe, opening in 2014 and featuring three children's rides. This partnership with Sanrio concluded in December 2021.
What replaced the Hello Kitty Secret Garden?
Following the closure of the Hello Kitty Secret Garden, the area was redeveloped into The Rainforest Adventure, which opened in May 2022. This new attraction complements the Rainforest Carousel, which features rideable rainforest animals.
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