Bristol Zoo Project

From Wild Place to Bristol Zoo Project

The park opened in July 2013 on the Hollywood Estate as Wild Place Project. In 2020 the Bristol Zoological Society announced that Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton would close, and the city site shut in 2022 with its animals moving here. The name changed to Bristol Zoo Project in summer 2023, and the grounds now cover roughly 135 acres.

Animals to look out for

Bear Wood, opened in 2019, recreates English woodland as it might have looked around 8,000 BC and is home to European brown bears, with Eurasian wolves nearby. Lemurs from Madagascar, western lowland gorillas, cheetahs, giraffes, red pandas and zebras are among the other residents. The zoo says 78 per cent of the animals in its care are threatened and part of targeted conservation programmes.

Planning your day

Treat this as a full-day outing rather than a quick stop: the site is spread out, so comfortable shoes help, especially with younger children. It suits families and anyone interested in conservation, since the society runs field projects in 10 countries across four continents. Seasonal events are held on Tower Meadow. Afterwards, Blaise Castle Estate and the cottages of Blaise Hamlet are a short drive south for a walk.

Highlights

• Bear Wood habitat with European brown bears
• Roughly 135 acres of parkland and enclosures
• Run by the Bristol Zoological Society conservation charity
• Lemurs, red pandas, cheetahs and western lowland gorillas

Good to know

• Annual membership gives unlimited visits through the year.
• The zoo is at Blackhorse Hill (BS10 7TP) near the M5, not at the old Clifton zoo site, which closed in 2022.

Frequently asked questions