Testimonials received
from participants in the "Special Date" experience at Seaview Wildlife
Encounter
Peter and Debbie Barnes
- September 2011
"Debbie and I have visited many Zoos and
Wildlife parks including London Zoo, Colchester and several whilst on
holiday abroad. We can honestly say that we have never had such a personal,
interesting and charming visit to such a place before. Our day at Seaview
Wildlife Encounter was by far the most enjoyable experience we have ever
had.
We are very wary of which zoos/parks and so on that we visit as the welfare
of the animals there is of our utmost concern - the whole feel and atmosphere
we felt at Seaview was one of 'Animals First', their care and comfort
is obviously your top priority, and the evidence for this was plain to
see. All the animals had plenty of space, well maintained enclosures and
a high proportion of keepers to care for them.
Going as a 'standard' visitor would give anybody a hugely entertaining
and fun day out with so many different animals to see, touch and feed
- perfect day out for families and children of all ages (me included -
46, refusing to grow old gracefully!). As a special treat, my wife Debbie
booked us in for the V.I.P. visit which included a personalised 2 hour
tour where we had the opportunity to go into the enclosures and feed Pelicans
(highly comical characters), Wallabies (very cute and inquisitive), Penguins
(cheeky chappies, great fun and a bit naughty) and what has to be our
absolute favourites, the Meerkats - what can't I say about these two young
ladies? They were of course very appealing, hugely inquisitive and most
endearing. Debbie and I had the chance to sit in their enclosure and hand
feed them live meal-worms (not half as bad as it sounds!). If we sat absolutely
still, they would climb up onto our laps and take the food from the little
cups we were given - they would even take them from our hands if we were
especially still and quiet.
The tour was topped off with a 3 course Champagne meal! What an experience!
I have never done anything like this before and Debbie and I really feel
a part of us will forever be at 'Seaview', an amazing day out we will
never forget.
Our heartfelt thanks to all the very kind, attentive staff and especially
to Jules, our friendly and informative guide for the day, she really made
us feel like V.I.P.s during our time there. I have no words to say how
highly we recommend that everyone should have a visit at least once to
your wonderful Wildlife Encounter Park - we can't wait to go back!"
Rowan and Lydia Hill - July
2011
"Hi Jules,
Many thanks for the photos which are excellent. We would be happy for
you to use some or all of the following on your website as you wish.
We both thought that the whole VIP experience was extremely well managed.
The very close encounters that we had with the many different animals
- especially the meerkats and the bearded dragon - were amazing and
something that we will always remember vividly.
The champagne lunch was delicious and extremely well presented. The
staff were very helpful and friendly throughout and nothing was too
much trouble.
We would have no hesitation in recommending "Wildest Place for
a Special Date" as a great treat and something that will always
be a treasured memory.
Many thanks.
Love,
Rowan & Lydia."
Brian Coombes and Deborah Butt
- July 2011
"Hi Jules,
Just a short note to express our sincerest thanks for making our day with
you & your team so thrilling.
I still can’t get over how close that meerkat got to me and how
gentle and fun the wallabies were.
I have posted the photos on Facebook, in fact one of my friends paid a
visit to the park on the strength of your photos!
After we left you at lunch time I went back to see Boris and he was a
lot more friendly this time.
I’m sure I can speak for both of us when I say that I can’t
wait to make another visit very soon.
Kindest regards
Brian & Debs"
Christina and Paul Gilbert 16th
June 2011
“Dear Jules,
Thank-you so much for the photographs they are just perfect - a really
great reminder of just how brilliant the day was. We loved the blog and
have told all our family and friends to read it!
We had the most wonderful day, it's difficult to put in to words how grateful
we are to all the staff (and animals!) for making our honeymoon so memorable
and perfect.
We were so pleased with our 'special date' - we knew it would be brilliant
after visiting the park last year and having the best day then but the
day could not have been better.
The staff were so wonderful and friendly, there is nothing that they would
not have done for us - we really felt like VIP's. The only problem is
now that we have been so spoiled by you all we may expect it every time
we go out!
The animals were absolutely wonderful - it was great getting up so close
to them all and getting plenty of cuddles. They were all so great that
we didn't have a favourite (although I personally fell in love with the
pigs & Dippy of course!)
It really was just the best day possible & we cant thank you or praise
you enough for making the start of our marriage so wonderful and special.
I have no doubt that we will be back again in the future and look forward
to seeing you all again when we do.
Our love to all of you & thanks for everything
Best wishes
Christina & Paul xxxx”
Rachel Brown and Simon Richards
– 18 May 2011
“Dear Jules
Thank you very much for everything you and your team did for Rachel and
I today to make my 40th birthday celebration so memorable. We had an absolutely
fantastic day – getting so close to the animals was an amazing experience,
everyone made us feel very welcome and very special, and lunch was delicious.
It was great to discover each animal’s character and to learn about
them in more detail, and how well you care for all of the animals. I still
think that goats look at me funny, but at least I now know that they aren’t
quite as scary as I thought they were.
The “wildest place for a special date” is a brilliant idea
and would make a fabulous experience for anyone. We will definitely visit
again with the children.
Thank you for the brilliant photos, they have given us both a wonderful
way to remember our special day.
Good luck for the rest of the season and we hope to see you again soon.
Kind Regards
Simon & Rachel”
Our first
“Wildest Place for a Special Date” V.I.P. guests!!
Friday 13th May marked the first of
our brand new “Wildest Place for a Special Date” experiences!
We had everything planned and ready for this special occasion - and
were really excited to welcome our first V.I.P. guests, Alex Marlow
and Kate Thomas. Rather than attempting to report back on the event,
perhaps it would more meaningful to share the wonderful letter we
received from Kate this morning, along with a few of the images of
the day.
“Hi Jules,
Thank you for the email and photos, they're wonderful.
I wanted to email you to thank you and the team at Seaview Wildlife
Encounter, for such an amazing day yesterday.
It was, as you know, a complete surprise to me
but couldn't have been a better birthday present from Alex and
my friends at work.
You were a fabulous host and guide and all the team treated
us so specially we really did feel like V.I.Ps, thank you so
much for all your time.
It was such a privilege to get us close and personal with all
the furry, feathery and even scaly residents of the park (I
had to be very restrained in not smuggling a Joey or field mouse
home in my bag!)
Such a pleasure to see how well cared for the
all animals are and learn about your breeding programs and participation
in endangered animal scheme I hope that you succeed in all your
endeavors and will be recommending a visit to the park as a
must to all my family and friends.
I think the V.I.P. day is a brilliant idea for any special occasion
and although Alex organised the surprise she too was delighted
with the fabulous lunch and the flowers and champagne really
did top the day off. I am now thinking of possible opportunities
where I can have an excuse to do it all again and have already
told my husband that we have to visit again soon so we can see
how little Henry Cooper is doing!
Thank you again for such a wonderful experience.
Kindest regards and best wishes, Kate Thomas”
