Family day out at Monkey World Dorset: review

We may have missed out on seeing red squirrels during our family holiday in Dorset, but a monkey-filled day out went a long way to making up for that – and as you’ll see from my Monkey World Dorset review, this is one attraction that should definitely be on your list if you’re visiting Dorset with kids.

Monkey World itself isn’t a zoo but a primate rescue centre, which works to stop the black market trade in primates around the world and rescues many from life as pets, circus animals, even being used as photographer’s props for tourists.

From my 8-year-old’s point of view, it’s an endless collection of very cute fluffy monkeys (and apes) – woolly monkeys galore, chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons, spider monkeys, marmosets and more. And despite visiting on a grey drizzly day, they were out playing or easily visible in their inside areas.

Only the squirrel monkeys seemed to be hiding completely, and the lemurs were off limits thanks to social distancing measures – their walk-through enclosure was temporarily closed at the time of our visit to keep them safe.

There were other safety measures in place when we visited too, including no published feeding times or talks.

As the furry inhabitants all still needed feeding, the chances are you’ll see staff posting lettuce through the wire of the enclosure along the way.

And then see the monkeys optimistically trying to collect as much up as possible into their paws before the rest of the troop descends!

You can access online versions of the talks to watch as you head round, and while some of the play areas are closed, the biggest one is open and there’s an obstacle course made with logs to entertain too.

I thought it would be perfect to stop for an hour or two, spot the monkeys, have lunch then set off on our drive back home.

After three hours, with only the briefest stop for food, we’d only just about managed to visit every corner of Monkey World and with more time (and less rain), I can easily imagine making a day of it.

For more ideas of things to do in Dorset in the rain with kids, check out my top picks

One of the first things that strikes you is the variety of animals to see: from tiny marmosets to cheeky Capuchin monkeys, little patas monkeys, bigger woolly monkeys, shaggy red-faced stump tailed macaques, five different types of gibbon, orangutans and chimpanzees.

And that’s not even the complete list: there are over 250 different animals from 20 species in the 65 acres of Dorset Monkey World, divided into different groups – there are four families of chimp, for example, and two orangutan groups as well as the babies.

This meant, for example, that there seemed to be woolly monkeys around almost every corner, but also that if one group were hidden away in the treetops or tucked away because of the weather, you still had a good chance of spotting another one.

Although with their thick furry coats, most of the monkeys looked happier with the drizzle than my daughter!

The second thing which struck me was how beautifully designed it is. The animals have a choice of indoor and outdoor enclosures, sometimes with clever wire tunnels high above the people or other wildlife, and there are areas to hide away in if they don’t fancy the attention.

I’m not sure if they’d missed the visitors while Monkey World was closed during lockdowns, but most seemed as fascinated to check us out as we were to look at them – watching my own little monkey and her fuzzy counterparts eyeing each other up through the glass was a highlight.

All their space is filled with different ways to entertain themselves and stay active too.

At the heart of most is a climbing and activity area that most kids would love to test out themselves: nets, boughs to balance on, bridges, tunnels, thick rubber straps to swing on and ropes galore, as well as other little touches including blankets which the chimps were happily snuggled up in or strewing around enthusiastically.

These are regularly updated too, as part of the rehabilitation of the rescued primates. As far as possible, everything is done to mimic a wild environment, including puzzles to make them work for their food.

There are different ways for visitors to get a glimpse too, such as the viewing tower, along with wandering the paths, where information boards provide more background on the individual primates as well as the species in general.

I was entertained to discover there’s a chimp called Cathy, who can be stubborn and isn’t keen on moving from the play area. Seems fair!

Between the rescued inhabitants, there’s also a chance to discover some Dorset wildlife along the way, including a lovely woodland walk – currently one-way.

When we visited, the autumn leaves were turning the path golden – and we spotted fly agaric mushrooms at Monkey World too – with signs to tell you what to watch out for along the way. Which came in handy when a chaffinch fluttered down near our table in the cafe.

And while your kids probably don’t need much inspiration from the happily climbing and swinging primates, save some time to check out their own play areas dotted around ; the biggest Great Ape Play Area at the end of the park, has climbing frames, cargo nets, swings and slides.

Which only left one obstacle for me… how to get through the gift shop without us acquiring another fluffy creature of our own for my daughter to take home!

For more ideas of things to do in Dorset with kids, check out my pick of the best, as well as my Bournemouth Oceanarium review for another idea for rainy days in Bournemouth with kids

Monkey World Dorset review: need to know

Tickets cost £17 for adults, £11.50 for children aged three to 15 if you book online in advance. Children under three are free, and there are also family tickets from £48.

You don’t have to prebook tickets but there’s a discount if you do.

You can also book guided 75-minute tours and personal talks There is free parking, and you can download a printable map from the website.

Monkey World Dorset is open daily except for Christmas Day , from 10am to 5pm, and until 6pm in July and August.

There are two cafes at Monkey World, as well as three kiosks around the site. Some are only open during school holidays and busy periods though. There are also picnic tables dotted around.

Plates and cups are made from biodegradable materials, and our coffee, tea and chocolate are all FairTrade, while gluten-free and vegan options are available, along with soya milk.

Dogs are not allowed inside, and you are not allowed to touch, handle or feed any of the animals.

You can support Monkey World by adopting the animals which live there, as well as by donating.

Images copyright MummyTravels

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