Beale Park

Beale Wildlife Park and Gardens is situated by the River Thames, between the villages of Pangbourne and Lower Basildon in Berkshire, England. It has three main areas of attraction: collections of small exotic animals, farm animals and birds; landscaped gardens and woodlands; and children's play areas.

The park was founded in 1956 by Gilbert Beale as his own private park. He was a keen collector and breeder of peacocks and these birds still roam free in the park. The name is known locally as both "Child-Beale" (after the founding charity) and colloquially as "The Peacock Farm."

Attractions

Over recent years the park has expanded to accommodate a wide variety of visitors, especially the youngest ones. The park has recently built a roplay area, a pets area, sand pits, paddling pools, Little Tikes Shop/Play Area and Steam Train.

For older visitors there are the gardens, lakes and the model boat exhbition.

There is also a gift shop, education centre and restaurant on site.

Birds

The aviaries at beale are home to a wide variety of bird species that are threatened with extinction. Most notable are the Green Peafowl, the Mountain Peacock Pheasant and the Bali Starling. There is also successful breeding programme, and several birds have been released back to the wild.

There are many themed aviarys around the park including; Regional aviarys (home to African, Asian and Australian birds), the walkthrough aviary, Owlery, madagascan aviarys and the flamingos.

Changes

Over recent years the park has expanded greatly to a more zoological collection, the park now houses lemurs, owls, and in 2007 meerkats, prairie dogs and Tamarins arrived.

2008 has seen the arrival of various new exhibts and attractions including; A New Zealand Islands exhibit home Wallabies and Arapawa Goats, A Small African Mammals enclosure purpose built for Yellow Mongoose and Bat Eared Foxes with a raised walkway for improved viewing and also a new pair Capybaras.

Opening Times

The season runs from 1 March to 31 October, during the season they are open seven days a week.
*Low Season(1 March - 31 March & 1 October - 31 October) 10 am until 5 pm, last admissions 4pm.
*High Season(1 April - 30 September) 10 am until 6 pm, last admissions 5 pm.

Admission Prices

*Adults - £8.50
*Senior Citizens - £7.00
*Children - £6.00
*Under 2 Years - Free

External links

* [http://www.bealepark.co.uk Beale Wildlife Park and Gardens website]