Stroke the Deer at New Forest Wildlife Park

Today we had a lovely outing to the New Forest Wildlife Park.  We've been before, last year, but they've changed the park a little since then and have added to it.

The children had great fun meeting the Otters and watched them being fed.  Oliver was quite taken with the Fox and Isabella squealed when she saw the little harvest mice.

One of my favourite parts is walking through the deer enclosure.  They are free roaming and a few of them are not afraid of people and are happy to be stroked gently.  

Oliver was immediately keen to stroke the deer, Isabella a little more hesitant but eventually had a go and once she did her fears subsided.  Samuel has always been wary of touching animals, but he did manage to stroke the deer briefly.

We then saw the giant otters, who were extremely vocal!  We watched as they had a splash about in their very own splash pool.  As we walked through the enclosure we also saw wild cats and pine martins, several owls and bison.  

Outside the deer enclosure there is a new adventure playground, designed for older children.  The child in me spotted the zip-wire and of course I had to have a go!

We walked on and just about spotted the lynx, then the wild boar and we were even lucky enough to see one of the wolves in his enclosure.  There is also a section with free roaming wallabies, not to mention the vast number of birds that were enjoying the many bird feeders hanging from the trees.

Another new addition is a toddlers play park with mini climbing frames, swings a slide and a sandpit.  Oliver and Isabella enjoyed spending some time in the park before it was time to go home.

Although it was quite cold today, we had wrapped up warm and my flask of coffee helped!

Definitely one of my favourite wildlife parks.