Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre

We went to Ponderosa today and my little boy loved it and especially loved the bunnies, the reindeer, the pig and the horse!
I would definitely recommend going this week before they shut in November 2017 for refurbishment. Can't wait to go back next year after the refurb :-)

This place has been reported to the RSPCA due to the neglect of the animals. Please boycott this place until the conditions improve. It's shameful. Do you really want your children to believe this is the way to treat animals?

I am a wheelchair user and went to ponderosa as I love animals and wanted to be more close up to them whilst we got to see the animals the website is misleading the accessibility was not what I expected. For one there was no allocated disabled parking and another the first disabled loo I came across was in a building that had steps on both sides eventually we found an accessible entrance into the area where the toilets we're (children's play area) but we had to squeeze my Wheelchair past a picnic table it was big and solid so would have been difficult to move. Once we got through the door to the play area where the toilets were situated there were other obsticals in the way that my friends had to move. Finally I got to the toilets and I couldn't open the door far enough as a table was in there and the door opened inwards so my friends removed the table from the toilets then they had to move the bins around as they were in the way. Finally I got in but as the door opened inwards and there was not enough space for me to turn my friends had to open and close the door for me! This wasn't the only disabled toilet at ponderosa that I had difficulty with the other disabled toilets had inwards closing doors and not enough room to turn so again. I had to ask m friends to open and close the doors for me. Additionally the toilet in the coffee bar had a drop down rail that was stuck so I couldn't use it. Staff around the area were few and far between and a hissing cockroach escaped from one of the enclosers ! In one area the tortoise and guinipigs were in open easy to access pens with no staff supervision someone could have stolen or injured one!! Being a therapeutic zoo I expected there to be an opportunity to pet the animals but as the tortoise and guinipigs were unsupervised we didn't touch them to be on the safe side. Getting around was difficult as there was no map or indication of Wheelchair users routes and barely any signs! I attend disability rights group disabled people's forum and I wouldn't recommend it to them due to the difficulties and sizes of the disabled toilets , lack of signage or maps and the nonexistence of disabled parking. I enjoyed seeing the animals but some seemed to pace or seemed distressed. I literally had no idea where I was going when I was there which is scary as I have a learning difficulty which affects my sense of direction and other things (dyspraxia) and this made me feel anxious. Oh by the way random pig in the reindeer pen I think this place needs some work a few animals had no labels on the cages as well.

The staff are not friendly the owner didn't even say good afternoon felt like he just wanted the money, what was really upsetting to see was a otter crying as it was on his own, they where getting it a mate but it was upsetting to see. I went in the afternoon and they where only just started cleaning the animals out they should have been done before they even opened, I expect animals to smell but not to the point of having to hold your nose, the staff that were cleaning looked like where too busy talking to each other then working, A lot needs to improve before I will return.

On a positive note a friend of mine got married there and it was a beautiful ceremony and reception.

We have been a dozen times at least - a great day out for young children, teens may be bored. Great value for money, get there early! it gets busy.

Love it here, my kids love it... Worked here volenteraly afew years back ... Great food also in the lakeside restarante xx

A really great place, though you do need the weather to be OK. It's mainly for younger kids, lots to see and do. There is a great restaurant on site, it is good quality & good value. Will def go back soon.

Sadly disappointed at the poor kept animal enclosures. The enclosures seem way too small. The poor otter had hardly any water in it's pool, with a sign saying that he is waiting on a girlfriend and won't be on my own long. The sign appeared tatty and appeared to have been up sometime. The reindeer look in poor condition despite the fact they were molting.
The play park areas and grassy areas were beautifully kept for us superior adults..... The animals are in prisons .... disgusting and would not recommend.

A pleasant day out with some lovely enclosures with suitable enrichment and hiding areas. Other animal enclosures require renovating and up grading to meet the same expectations as other enclosures. The play area is clean and suitable for all kids. Only downside I had was the volunteer staff who had a snake out for handling and at the same time was eating an ice cream not a very good impression and risk of salmonella. Then another volunteer had music playing whilst handling a rabbit again when handling animals you should be quiet with slow movements this could only cause distress to the rabbit who was scared when he bent down to be stroked. Therefore staff training could be improved to set good examples to visitors.