On an extraordinary visit to Bear Wood - not to be confused with Bearwood - just 80 minutes from Birmingham, I found myself watching bears and wolves in their natural habitats from a winding treetop walkway. The experience was unlike any typical zoo visit.
Bear Wood is part of Bristol Zoo Project, a conservation charity that operates in nine countries across four continents, dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most threatened species. The Bristol Zoo Project supports 50 coordinated breeding programmes and undertakes vital animal health and welfare research worldwide.
Spanning 7.5 acres, Bear Wood is an ancient woodland where brown bears, wolverines, lynx, and wolves roam free. Visitors can stroll above these magnificent creatures, observing them without barriers - an awe-inspiring and rare opportunity.
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Our morning arrival was quiet; initially, we saw no animals. A volunteer explained that patience is key when visiting Bear Wood. Animals are not always visible, and repeated visits or careful observation throughout the day often pay off.
Indeed, a couple of hours later, we spotted a wolverine indulging in a sandy bath - a remarkable sight, as I had never encountered one in person before. Near the end of the walkway, the wolf pack emerged. Six brothers, aged between one and two years, frolicked energetically. These wolves are new to the project and will eventually share a habitat with the bears, as they consume different foods and coexist safely. Notably, Bear Wood is the only UK zoo habitat shared by both bears and wolves.
After some time, three bears made their appearance, including a massive mama bear with her cubs. Watching the playful interactions, including a cub nonchalantly splashing in their water trough right beneath our feet, was both amusing and heartwarming.
We also glimpsed a lynx basking in the sunshine, completing the enchanting wildlife experience.
Beyond Bear Wood, the Bristol Zoo offers much more. The new African Forest section hosts a group of gorillas, recently joined by a lively new arrival whose playful antics enlivened the enclosure. Other animals include zebras, giraffes, ostriches, red pandas, cheetahs, and deer.
The lemur enclosure was a highlight, with creatures feasting on elderberries, while the geladas sat nearby, their expressive faces reflecting their rich vocal communication, which intriguingly resembles human speech patterns.
For families, the zoo’s design is exceptional. There are numerous sheltered benches and picnic areas, ample water stations, and peaceful garden spaces. Children will delight in the playgrounds, particularly the Explorer’s Base Camp - a towering three-storey play area featuring rope jungles, slides, trampolines, swings, a zip line, and an animal footprint climbing wall. The Base Camp Pizzeria offers affordable food and drink within a charming setting.
Additional indoor play opportunities can be found at the Fun Fort, adjacent to the attractive Courtyard Café.
The zoo collaborates closely with Bristol University students, maintaining a dedicated library on-site to advance conservation efforts. The project champions six flagship species at particular risk, including blue-eyed black lemurs, turquoise dwarf geckos, bleeding-heart doves, Ankarafa skeleton frogs, Corfu toothcarp fish, and white-clawed crayfish.
Our visit to Bristol Zoo Project was thoroughly enjoyable, and despite my teenage sons no longer being small children, they wished we had discovered this gem earlier, particularly for its superb play areas.
Travel to the zoo is convenient: a direct train from Birmingham New Street takes about 80 minutes to Bristol, followed by a local train to Clifton Down station and a ten-minute walk past the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. Alternatively, driving via the M5 takes around an hour and a half, with ample free parking provided on-site.
Overall, Bristol Zoo Project offers an unforgettable experience, combining conservation education with enchanting wildlife encounters and family-friendly facilities, making it well worth the journey.
Disclaimer: Zoe Chamberlain was kindly provided with review tickets by Bristol Zoo; however, all opinions expressed are her own.