Took a little walk around this abandoned wildlife park this week , lots of memorys of visits here as a child, really strange to be back here and seeing it in its current state. Here is some history stolen from Wikipeadia
In 1966, Neath builder Idris Hale bought the semi-derelict Penscynor House in Cilfrew. The 11-acre grounds then became home to a large collection of exotic parrots and a number of charity days were held in response to public demand to see the birds.
Idris then decided to open the park to the public in 1971. It was launched by TV personality Johnny Morris, of the Animal Magic TV series.
Success followed and it remained in the family's ownership until 1996 when Mr Hale's grandson, Jonathan Hale-Quant, took it over.
The park had annual attendance of 200,000 visitors and employed 18 staff
Since 1998 the park has been abandoned. Starting in 1999, the Northern part of the park was developed into 41 residential units, retaining the children's playground from the zoo and area around it as open space.
Jonathan Quant put Penscynor House up for sale in 2005. Plans for converting it from "residential dwelling to care home for up to 5 residents were approved on 18 October 2011. Many of the enclosures still existed as of 2012, including the chimp houses and penguin pool. All structures are derelict, and in poor condition.
In 1966, Neath builder Idris Hale bought the semi-derelict Penscynor House in Cilfrew. The 11-acre grounds then became home to a large collection of exotic parrots and a number of charity days were held in response to public demand to see the birds.
Idris then decided to open the park to the public in 1971. It was launched by TV personality Johnny Morris, of the Animal Magic TV series.
Success followed and it remained in the family's ownership until 1996 when Mr Hale's grandson, Jonathan Hale-Quant, took it over.
The park had annual attendance of 200,000 visitors and employed 18 staff
Since 1998 the park has been abandoned. Starting in 1999, the Northern part of the park was developed into 41 residential units, retaining the children's playground from the zoo and area around it as open space.
Jonathan Quant put Penscynor House up for sale in 2005. Plans for converting it from "residential dwelling to care home for up to 5 residents were approved on 18 October 2011. Many of the enclosures still existed as of 2012, including the chimp houses and penguin pool. All structures are derelict, and in poor condition.
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