PARKS
Brent Lodge Animal Centre,
often called the Bunny Park,
is tucked away in Brent River
Park, Hanwell. Home to more
than 40 species of animals,
birds and insects, it is west
London’s only official, free
zoo. Have you been recently?
Hidden
haven in Hanwell
T
he animal centre has more
creatures than ever, ranging
from rare red crowned cranes
and an amusing gaggle of
meerkats to a colourful collection of
chickens and a pair of roaming peacocks.
You can also enjoy the tranquil
butterfly house – watching them feed,
fly freely and even land on you if you
stand still long enough. The tropical
rainforest walkthrough, meanwhile,
brings you closer to the snakes,
bearded dragons and poison dart frogs.
They are joined by sulcata tortoises and
Pashto, the leopard gecko.
The butterfly house and jungle
walkthrough is open between 12noon4pm at weekends and in the school
holidays. Entry to this is £2 per person
and there is a park gift shop for visitors
to buy small pocket-money toys and
make donations to the animals’ upkeep
and conservation in the park.
FIVE FURRY FRIENDS
The mob of meerkats lives with a pair
of porcupines in a specially-made
enclosure that you can enter with a
zookeeper. For £35 per person, or £60
for two, you can go behind the scenes
and get up close to meet them in their
own environment while the zookeeper
gives you the lowdown on these friendly
critters. You can even ‘adopt’ one –
which you might find hard to resist after
the playful gang get to know you.
– why not let the animal centre team take
care of all the planning and host your
child’s birthday party this summer?
Birthday parties at the centre last
two hours and will provide the children
with an opportunity to spend time
with the animals and hopefully learn a
little something along the way from an
experienced zookepper who will act as
their chaperone.
All the money raised goes towards
future projects and maintenance at the
animal centre.
MORE INFO
■
Email animalcentre@
ealing.gov.uk
■
Call 07956 362341
■
Twitter @BrentLodgePark
■
PARTY IN THE PARK
Planning a children’s party can be stressful
Facebook facebook.com/
BrentLodgePark
around ealing
Summer 2016
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