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Business as Usual at East Devon Family Attraction

20th March 2020

Categories: Visitor News

Staff at wildlife park 'Wildwood Escot' in Ottery St Mary have worked hard to ensure that the popular family attraction will remain open to welcome visitors despite the pressing constraints of the Covid-19 Virus.

“We’ve followed the government advice closely,” said General Manager, George Hyde. “And we’re confident that our visitors will still be able to find some respite and normality in these difficult and uncertain times.”

Situated on the historic Escot Estate, the attraction is ideally suited to cope with the constraints imposed by the current epidemic.

“Given the circumstances, we’re really very lucky,” said George. “All the best stuff we have is out in the open. We’re blessed with around 40 acres of beautiful open air woodland and wetland, featuring outdoor adventure play, a Saxon Village, a world class maze and walk-through animal exhibits. With plenty of distractions for cooped-up kids and space to unwind for parents it’s a natural antidote to the pressure everyone is under thanks to the virus.”

Staff at the attraction are well used to taking measures to ensure the wellbeing of public health, so the measures taken to address the Coronavirus issue have been relatively simple.

“Being an animal attraction, biosecurity is a normal part of life here,” said Kerry Church, Senior Animal Keeper. “Taking regular measures to prevent the transmission of pathogens between staff and visitors is a necessary feature of working with animals so we’re all very familiar with the principles.”

Whilst the school closure has put many working parents under additional pressure forcing many businesses to make radical changes or even close, Wildwood Escot has been able to take this in its stride

“Ensuring our staff would not be inconvenienced by the school closure was a priority for us,”said George. “Those of our staff with children are able to bring them to work where our education team can provide fun, safe, educational activities whilst their parents can work as normal.”

Maintaining consistent staffing levels has meant that the attraction has had to make only nominal alterations in order to adhere to government advice and continue to offer a close to normal service.

“We’ve limited the opportunities for visitors to congregate in close proximity,” explained George. “The café is limited to an outdoor service, the indoor soft play is closed and staff are regulating queues on entry. As long as parents exercise some reasonable judgement, kids should be able to enjoy everything the park has to offer without significant risk. It’s as near to ‘business as usual’ as it is possible to be.”

Paul Whitfield, Director General of the Wildwood Trust, the charity that runs the park, was optimistic. He said, “As crucial as our conservation work may be, we view our parks in Devon and Kent as important community resources. Our visitors here can find respite and relaxation. As the complex situation we face unfolds, normality, consistency and familiarity will become increasingly important for our mental health. Staff at both our parks are doing a great job of providing this.”

In preparation for the Easter holiday, the park recently welcomed several new animals. The new Walk-Through Wetland Habitat now has free-roaming animals including two Konik Horses, three Soay Sheep and four Wallabies.

The park is open from 10am to 5pm.