NAILSEA
PEOPLE
Noah's Ark zoo farm
Photos, graphics and videos are courtesy of and distributed by Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm™ and therefore ©
Pre-2021 stories are in the archives
2026
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This is brie-lliant fun!
A cheesy Mother’s Day happened down at the zoo farm near Nailsea.
Newborns at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm are being given cheese-themed names!
This year’s newest arrivals include rare breed lambs and a lively group of goat kids – all of which have been given cheese-inspired names!
The first Bagot goat kids of the season have already been named Brie and Camembert, and they are joined by a growing group of youngsters born during the past weeks.
Other goat kids include Cheddar, Stilton, Babybel, Mozzarella and Blue, along with Branston, Chutney, Fig, Olive, Pickle and Ritz.
With so many arrivals in a short space of time, the zoo farm barns are now full of springy young goats.
Each year Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm chooses a fun naming theme for its lambs and kids.
Last year’s lambs were named after crisps, with twins Nik and Nak being the first to arrive.
This year, with the famous Cheddar Gorge just down the road, cheese-inspired names proved to be the perfect theme.
Alongside the goat kids, lambs are also being born from two native British sheep breeds kept at the zoo – Poll Dorset sheep and white-faced Woodland sheep.
The white-faced Woodland is a native rare breed, and both breeds form part of the zoo’s work to help conserve native breeds.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm received accreditation from the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in 2022 in recognition of its efforts to help protect these important heritage breeds.
Poll Dorset sheep are known for their distinctive white woolly coats and calm, friendly temperament.
Whitefaced Woodland sheep are a priority breed on the RSBT Watchlist and are easily recognised by their woolly white faces and hardy nature, traits that historically made them well suited to the British countryside.
The zoo’s Bagot goats are also classified as a native rare breed and are at risk on the RSBT watchlist.
Known for their striking black-and-white markings and impressive climbing ability, visitors will be able to watch the young goats exploring enrichment climbing structures in the farm barns this spring.
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Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is proud to announce the launch of a new Universal Credit ticket initiative, running throughout May 2026, designed to make visiting the zoo more accessible for families and individuals facing financial challenges.
As a conservation charity, the zoo is committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to connect with nature, experience wildlife up close, and feel inspired to protect the natural world.
The new initiative offers reduced-price tickets at £10 per person when booked online, with up to six tickets available per booking.
Children under two and essential carers will continue to receive free entry.
The initiative comes in response to the growing cost-of-living pressures affecting many households, with the zoo aiming to remove barriers and welcome a more diverse range of visitors through its gates.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm community engagement manager Rhian Gunstone said: “We believe that everyone deserves the chance to experience the wonder of wildlife and the wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature. "This initiative is about opening our doors wider and making sure that more people in our community feel welcome here.
"We hope it enables families who might not otherwise be able to visit to enjoy a really special day together."Visitors booking these tickets will need to provide proof of eligibility and ID on arrival, and tickets must be booked online in advance as availability will be limited during the trial period.
The initiative forms part of the zoo’s wider commitment to accessibility inclusion, and community engagement ensuring that conservation is something everyone can be part of.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm director Larry Bush said: "As a charity, it’s incredibly important to us that we create a zoo that is accessible and inclusive to all.
"Connecting people with nature is at the heart of what we do, and this initiative is an important step in making that connection possible for more people.
"We want every visitor to feel that they belong here and can play a part in protecting wildlife for the future."
Reduced ticket offer for families feeling the pinch
Two elephants have relocated to the North Somerset countryside near Nailsea this week.
Bullish Impi and Mchumba, both aged 15, have swapped their former home in Kent for the delights of Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm at Wraxall.
Their move on Tuesday, May 12, reflects the natural life cycle of male elephants, who leave their maternal family herds during adolescence and join bachelor groups as they mature.
This milestone not only mirrors elephant behaviour in the wild but also helps support the long-term conservation and welfare of the species across Europe.
Noah’s Ark is home to the UK’s only dedicated bachelor group for African elephants, providing a purpose-built environment where young males can learn, socialise and grow.
Set within the largest elephant habitat in Northern Europe, the 20-acre space includes expansive grasslands, sand yards, a large pool, indoor heated facilities and even a willow plantation - giving elephants the freedom to roam, interact and develop naturally.
This is an essential part of the conservation breeding programme.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm lead elephant keeper Tom Lindley said: “Impi and Mchumba are full of character and we’re really excited to have them join the group.
“This is a big moment for them – moving away from their family group and into a bachelor group reflects exactly what we would expect to see in the wild.
“Our oldest bull Janu will help guide them as they settle in.
“These groups are constantly evolving, and it’s incredible to watch the younger elephants learn and grow over time.”
As part of this elephant transfer, Noah’s Ark’s resident bull Shaka has moved to Howletts Wild Animal Park, where he will take on the role of dominant male within an established mixed herd.
PHOTOS: Slideshow of elephants moving are ⓒ of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Relocation, relocation, relocation
Sadly as a charity Noah's Ark Zoo Farm admission tickets aren’t eligible for the Government’s Great British Summer Savings Scheme.
BUT they didn’t want you to miss out so they have created their own special offer to help families enjoy a great day out for less this summer! 🌞
The online summer saver offer launches on Thursday, June 25, and runs until the end of August.
It includes:
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20 per cent off admission when you book online seve plus full days in advance.
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Children’s meals from just £6.60.
Simply book your tickets online and the discount will be applied automatically – no code needed!
It is believed that as many as 80 per cent of UK visitor attractions may be unable to take part in the Government's Great British Summer Savings Scheme due to ineligibility or complex implementation challenges.
The majority of charitable attractions, including many zoos, museums and heritage sites, are excluded from the scheme and therefore unable to pass on the Government-backed savings to visitors.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, both a zoo and conservation charity in North Somerset, is among those not eligible to participate.
Rather than allowing families to miss out on summer savings, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm has announced its own summer saver offer.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm managing director Larry Bush said: "We were disappointed to discover that, as a charity, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is not eligible to participate in the Government's Great British Summer Savings Scheme. "While the initiative aims to help families save money this summer, the reality is that many attractions like ours are unable to take part.
"Families are continuing to feel the impact of rising living costs, and many are having to think carefully about how they spend their money during the school holidays.
"That's why we didn't want exclusion from the scheme to stop us from helping visitors save money this summer.
"We’re introducing our summer saver offer which will give
visitors a simple way to save on admission while creating unforgettable memories.
"We hope it will enable even more families to visit this summer.”
Zoo farm summer savers
In the heat of the day and night at zoo
As temperatures continue to rise across the UK this week, with some areas forecast to reach up to 39°C and red weather warnings in place, zookeepers at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm are helping their residents stay cool during the heatwave.
The North Somerset zoo and conservation charity is using a range of enrichment activities and cooling measures to ensure animals remain comfortable and safe inthe soaring temperatures.
From elephants enjoying refreshing hose-downs to gibbons tucking into homemade ice lollies, and otters, capybaras and Aqua the rescue tiger splashing in their pools,animals across the zoo are finding fun ways to beat the heat.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm curator Chris Wilkinson said: "Just like us during periods of hot weather, it's important that our animals stay cool for their welfare, comfort and safety.
"Our animal keepers carefully monitor all species during warm conditions and provide a variety of cooling opportunities, including ice lollies and hose-downs,alongside access to pools and shaded areas.
"The zoo's African elephants and southern white rhinos also have access to mud wallows, which help them regulate their body temperature during warm weather.
"Habitats across the zoo feature shaded areas, allowing animals to choose how theystay comfortable throughout the day."
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm’s five African bull elephants are once again exploring their newly regenerated 5,000 square metre willow plantation.
Janu, the dominant male of the bachelor group, led the way as the plantation reopened, followed by other members of the herd.
All five elephants will have the opportunity to explore the plantation as access is rotated, giving them the chance to investigate the regenerated vegetation at their own pace.
Located within Elephant Eden at Wraxall, the plantation is the first of its kind in the UK and the only one in Europe, providing a large area of dense woodland within the elephants’ expansive habitat.
The plantation was first opened to the elephants in 2022 following almost a decade of planning and growth.
Since then, the bulls’ natural feeding and browsing behaviours have significantly shaped the landscape.
The plantation is therefore periodically rested, allowing the vegetation to recover before the elephants return.
Willow, aspen and poplar trees, alongside self-seeded trees, bushes and other elephant-friendly vegetation, have now had time to regenerate, creating a diverse and changing source of natural browse.
African elephants can spend many hours of the day feeding, browsing and foraging.
Their size and natural behaviours also have a significant impact on the landscape around them, making the plantation a constantly evolving part of their habitat.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm elephant section leader Tom Lindley said: “The plantation has changed significantly since the elephants last had access to it, so it has been fascinating to watch them explore it again.
"With the current heatwave, it’s particularly great to see them enjoying the lush vegetation and making the most of the cool, green environment.
African elephants are incredibly effective at shaping their environment.
"They browse, strip bark, break branches and feed their way through vegetation, so giving the plantation time to regenerate means that when they return, there is plenty of new growth for them to investigate.
"It will also be lovely to see our two newest bulls, Impi and Mchumba, exploring the plantation.
"They’ve been settling into the bachelor group really well since arriving in May, and having the opportunity to explore different areas of their habitat is an important part of becoming familiar with their new surroundings.”
Regenerated elephant forest
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Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm celebrates its biggest ever pumpkin harvest with a spectacular tribute to one of the region’s most recognisable landmarks.
Thousands of home-grown pumpkins and gourds have been transformed into a spectacular giant mosaic of the Clifton Suspension Bridge at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, marking the start of this year’s Pumpkinfest.
The colourful artwork has been created using pumpkins from the zoo’s biggest harvest to date, with more 20,000 pumpkins and gourds grown across more than 30 varieties.
Located just a few miles from the iconic Bristol landmark, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has chosen the Clifton Suspension Bridge as the inspiration for this year’s mosaic, bringing together pumpkins in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colours to recreate the instantly recognisable landmark.
The artwork continues the zoo’s annual pumpkin mosaic tradition.
Last year, thousands of pumpkins were used to create a giant elephant design, celebrating the important role elephants play in the zoo’s unusual ‘poo-to-pumpkin’ story.
The pumpkin harvest has its roots in an unexpected discovery seven years ago, when the zoo’s bachelor group of African elephants enjoyed pumpkins as part of their seasonal enrichment.
The following year, pumpkins were spotted growing on the elephant muck heap, thanks to the nutrient-rich natural fertiliser.
What started as a surprise crop has since developed into an annual pumpkin-growing tradition, with the zoo now producing thousands of pumpkins each year.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm director Larry Bush said: “Once we saw pumpkins thriving on the muck heap, we realised we were onto something special.
"Seven years later, it has grown into an annual highlight for our team and visitors.
“Despite the dry summer this year, our elephants’ natural fertiliser has
helped us achieve our biggest harvest yet, with around 20,000 pumpkins and gourds grown across more than 30 varieties.
“Choosing the Clifton Suspension Bridge for this year’s mosaic felt like a great way to celebrate a landmark that is so closely connected to the region.
"It’s been fantastic to see the different colours, shapes and sizes of pumpkins come together to create something that people will instantly recognise.”
The pumpkin harvest, including those used in the mosaic, is now being put to good use as Pumpkinfest gets underway at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm from Saturday to Sunday, September 19-November 1.
Visitors can choose their own pumpkin from the zoo’s free-to-enter, family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible pumpkin patch at the Farm Shop, alongside autumnal displays and plenty of seasonal photo opportunities.
Families visiting the zoo can also take part in the ‘Poo at the Zoo: Number 2’ Dung Detectives trail, discovering the important role dung plays in nature and how elephant poo helps the zoo grow its pumpkins.