Ponderosa Zoo

Ponderosa Zoo is home to more than 100 animals, from ring-tailed lemurs and meerkats to reindeer, tortoises and lizards. Much of the collection came from rescue and conservation work, and the zoo puts education at the centre of the visit, so children hear about the threats many species face in the wild. Families can watch the lemurs from a dedicated lookout, wander the paths around the central lake with its koi carp, and let younger children run off energy on the outdoor adventure playgrounds, zip wire and air bouncers. Food ranges from a coffee shop to a pizza shed that trades in school holidays. Tarmac paths suit pushchairs and wheelchairs, and the site is a relaxed half-day out for mixed-age groups, school trips and visiting relatives alike.