Is your family driving you wild? Let them unleash their boundless energy at this Suffolk gem!
The Bear Necessities
Two of the most adored species at the park are the brown bears and polar bears, both of which have huge enclosures with lots of natural resources and enrichment opportunities. However, with space comes distance, and it can be quite hard to spot the brown bears when they are up in the trees or the polar bears when they are enjoying a leisurely swim. My top tip is to visit both of these at the designated ‘talk’ times. Often the keepers will feed them at the same time, encouraging them to make an appearance in view of the public, so you can actually get a really good look at them. It is also a great learning opportunity and a chance for curious minds to ask questions about their new ursine friends.
Play Time!
One of the most brilliant features of Jimmy’s Farm is the numerous play areas spread out across the park. If you have ever taken a young child to a ‘normal’ zoo, you will find they lose interest in looking for the animals quickly and you find yourself rushing around. Here however, there are small challenges and play places between the enclosures, meaning you can really pace yourself and keep the kids interested. The most popular of the play features are the bouncing pillows, conveniently placed in the centre of the park, next to toilets, hand washing stations and a refreshment hut. There are picnic benches and other enclosed play spaces within this central area too, so its a great spot to return throughout the day.
The Best £2 You’ll Spend All Day?
In a convenient and eco-friendly box, an absolute must-buy is animal feed. Honestly, we ended up buying 3 boxes of the stuff! Nothing beats a one-on-one animal interaction, particularly with kids, and there are so many different species of goats, sheep, pigs and even donkeys to feed, you will easily burn through a few boxes of this. Top tip – save some food for the animals at the extremes of the park (particularly the ones near the brown bear enclosure) – often people are so quick to feed the first animals they see, they run out and miss the opportunity to interact with the more unique characters on the rare breeds farm.
Feeding Time For Your Wild Animals?
My top tip is to book a table at The Barn restaurant in advance. Lunch time is very busy, and you won’t want to miss out on their delicious seasonal menu. There are a few grab-and-go spots around the park, but nothing can compare to a delicious meal made with great quality local produce. The prices were reasonable, the portions were substantial and the BEAR Conservation Cider went down a treat on a hot summers day!
Sustainability At It’s Core
One thing that really stood about about Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park is the conscious effort to keep everything as sustainable as possible. Every single decision has been made to be as eco-friendly as possible, from natural compost toilets and recycled toilet paper, to having everything made out of natural materials. Every bin in the park is sorted post-collection for recyclables. There is a real emphasis on using local produce in the food and beverage offering too.
Practical Info
Address: Jimmy’s Farm, Pannington Hall Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2AR.
Parking: Free, and plenty of space with an overflow car park for busy periods.
Tickets: from £23 per adult, £18.50 per child, <2s and carers free. For the best price, book online in advance.
Website: jimmysfarm.com
Dogs on leads are allowed in the park, with a recommended route for owners around the park. Feel free to take a picnic if you wish. There are lots of hand washing stations dotted around, with stepping stools for little ones where needed. Wear suncream as you’ll be outside a lot! Comfortable shoes are a must as there is a mixture of gravel and natural woodland paths over uneven terrain. That being said, everywhere is accessible by pushchair or wheelchair.
In Summary
A truly memorable day out, you can be here from 10:00-17:00, see everything at a leisurely pace and have a fantastic full day out with great food and fresh air. As such, a visit to Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park is best enjoyed on a dry day as its almost entirely outdoors, but I urge everyone to go and experience this wonderful attraction for themselves.
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