Banham Zoo, Norwich, Norfolk.

I spent a good few hours here and I am not sure that I visited every area, I will have to go back at some point.

The zoo is a little bit out of the way, at least from the direction I was travelling but it is very well sign posted and there is plenty of car parking once you arrive.

There were 2 ticket windows open when I arrived and no queues.  The adult ticket cost £17.95, a child's £12.95 and under 3's are free.  There are concession rates for Senior Citizens and carers, also the winter admission prices are a little cheaper.

There are plenty of toilets, always important when you are visiting somewhere with children, and food outlets too.

The first animals you see on entry are painted camels, they are not real - obviously - but very striking.  These camels were painted by local schools.

Next, there is a petting area with the fattest guinea pig I have ever seen, there are rabbits, goats and llamas too.

If you look closely, you can see that the llama at the back is sticking his tongue out.

From here on, you have several choices of direction to take, with many different animals to see.

All the animals seem very happy, with none of the distressing actions of those in European zoos, although this marmot made a break for freedom.

Marmots are burrowing creatures and they have dug holes under the fence of their enclosure, this cheeky chappie popped up out of a hole, looked around, decided he was better off inside and went back.

One of the lemurs was so bored with all the goings on that he fell asleep on the information sign.

And it was all too much for this meerkat who was also fast asleep.

Banham Zoo is home to 2 of the approximately 150 Suffolk Punch horses left in the UK, they are registered and used for breeding.

The giraffe enclosure is huge, their building has a first floor viewing platform, this can be reached by stairs, a long wooden sloped walkway or a lift.

There are so many animals and so many routes round that it would be impossible to mention them all here.

There are feeding talks and educational talks several times a day, some of the birds of prey are flown in display.  You can book to hold a meerkat or fly a bird of prey, but there are additional charges associated with this activities.

You do have to leave via the gift shop, but where don't you?  If you do need to leave and return to the zoo, you can stamp your hand to gain reentry.

It is definitely worth a visit.