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Edinburgh Zoo Review

Whenever we go anywhere new, a holiday somewhere in the UK, the first thing we look for is a zoo. The children love zoos and they are always such a great family day out so when we spent half term in Scotland we just had to go to Edinburgh Zoo – and crossed our fingers that the weather would be ok.

Edinburgh Zoo

In the end we had a lovely bright, crisp winter’s day for our visit to the zoo. Edinburgh Zoo is managed by the Royal Zoological Society Scotland along with the Highland Wildlife Park, and is situated in a really random position, on a main road, next to a Holiday Inn in Edinburgh and sadly, like so many other tourist attractions, they charge £4 to park on top of the admission fees.

When we purchased our tickets we were asked if we would like to book a time to see the pandas – as they’re the only pandas in the UK their enclosure is obviously really busy and so it’s ticketed with everyone given a ten minute time slot – we booked one in the afternoon, planning to see the pandas before heading home.

Edinburgh Zoo

Our first thought of Edinburgh Zoo was how hilly it was. Everything is on a hill but it’s great exercise! All of the enclosures were as natural and true to the animals’ typical habitats as possible and the children loved it – although I’m glad we took the pushchair!

Edinburgh Zoo

The first animals we saw were the meerkats, always a winner with the children and with large viewing windows to see inside. Most of the enclosures in Edinburgh Zoo had indoor and outdoor sections and big windows to make everything as easy to see as possible. Most of the animals were inside though – probably as it was so cold!

Edinburgh Zoo

The children’s favourite animals were the lions, tiger and zebras who were all really easy to see. The lions especially were animals the children had both mentioned before we went to the zoo so we were pleased that they were laying pretty much in front of our window.

Edinburgh Zoo

The penguins had a really nice big enclosure and came right up to the glass. They also had an underwater viewing section that the children loved.

Edinburgh Zoo

We had lunch at the Grasslands Restaurant that was really busy but the food was good with a lot more choice that typical tourist attractions. Dave had macaroni cheese and chips, I had a pulled pork bap and chips and the children had half a full size pizza and chips. It was one of the best lunches we’ve had at an attraction in quite a while but there are also plenty of places to eat a picnic or packed lunch too.

Edinburgh Zoo

After lunch we went to see the pandas and were more than a little disappointed that due to building work going on the male panda had been given the day off and so wasn’t in his enclosure. The female panda was around but as she had access to the indoor part too – which we couldn’t see into – we didn’t get to see her – apart from her turning around in the entrance to the indoor part and obscured by a bush.

We did get to see koalas though – also the only ones in the UK but for some reason less popular than the pandas and without time slots to see them! We loved the koalas and could have watched them for ages!

Edinburgh Zoo

Before long it was time to head home but not before walking through the gift shop – the most expensive I have ever seen at a tourist attraction. The children each got a cuddly panda as a souvenir not just of Edinburgh Zoo but of our lovely Scottish holiday.

Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo Review

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6 Comments

  1. We went in May from Manchester especially to see the pandas. We ended up seeing the male as the female didn’t fancy to be seen that day. We were disappointed as the zoo makes a massive deal about seeing the pandas and you should be able to see them. Best bit was when the male poo’d it looked like corn on the cob! We also loved the koalas and felt they deserved more of a fuss than they get.

  2. 12 years I have lived here and I still haven’t been to Edinburgh list! It’s on our must-do list before we move. That is a shame that you didn’t get to see the pandas though.

  3. I have never been to Edinburgh Zoo before, even though I visit Edinburgh all the time. We are going to take Sophia for her third birthday in May so I loved reading what it is like. I am dreading the hills already as the little two will be in pushchairs. Such a shame you did not get to see the pandas, I bet seeing the Kolas was great though xx

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