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Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a unique Zoo and working farm just 6 miles out from Bristol. We have become one of the South Wests top tourist attractions, welcoming 120,000 visitors per year and giving them a fun-filled, exciting hands-on experience in some of the most beautiful countryside in the region.
We are winners of several Awards, including North Somersets Top Visitor Attraction (last year of Judging), SW Tourism: Large Visitor Attraction Excellence Award (2007 Finalist) and National Farm Attractions Network: Farm Attraction of the Year (Finalist, 2005).
We are members of South West Tourism, Destination Bristol, the Green Tourism Business Scheme, Tourism Attractions Alliance, the National Farmers Union, Country Land and Business Association, Nailsea Chamber of Trade, British Camelid Association, Avon Farming and the Wildlife Advisory Group.
Moat House Farm, with its listed, moated 17th Century Farm House is owned by Anthony and Christina Bush who farmed it as a Dairy Farm for 35 years until 1995. It is where they brought up their family. Anthony became the tenant of the farm in 1960 in his early 20's, single, and with no money, only borrowed capital. The farm had no mains water, and the buildings no electricity, and was very much as it had been in the 1930's. In 1995 he and his wife bought the farm from the Landlord, Lord Wraxall of Tyntesfield; the pedigree "Moatwell" Friesian cow herd and young stock, which was among the top 5% genetically in the country, now grown to 320 head, was sold and they kept the farm as an arable farm, with some sheep kept on part of the 310 acres. The modern dairy buildings were ready for alternative use.
Christina was trained as an Art teacher at Chelsea Art School and London University, taught children in London and adults for many years in North Somerset, including at Noah's Ark. She is a member of Clevedon Art Club.
They have four married children and fourteen grandchildren.
Anthony, after National Service and reading Mathematics at Oxford University combined many things with farming and family life. He was a Youth Club leader in Bristol for 4 years, was elected to General Synod for 17 years at 29, became a Lay Reader in the Church of England at 30, County Chairman of Somerset National Farmers Union at 39; he was founder Chairman or Director of Avon Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Bristol Family Life Association, Mission England South West, Network Counselling, Crisis Centre Ministries, Send a Cow to Africa.
In 1991 Anthony was selected and trained (at Trinity Theological College) as a priest in the Church of England, but was not ordained. Anthony and Christina belong to a local Anglican Church, where Anthony continues as a Lay Reader. In 1997 they rebuilt the old 17th century farm buildings of Moat House Farm and prepared to open Noah's Ark, as a themed animal park, for adventure, education and to remind visitors of the ancient tradition of God's relationship with mankind; and of the contemporary science that points to Creation plus evolution of species.
Noah's Ark began with a trial period in 1998, and its first full season in 1999. Noah's ark started out with mainly farm animals, smaller animals to hold such as rabbits and guinea pigs, goats, and a small number of exotics -wallabies, rheas and llamas. The Noah's Ark and Food and Farming exhibition rooms were built, filled with displays and information, together with hands-on activities for children -like the bionic cow!
In 2000 a large barn was converted into what is now 'Arkiventures', an indoor adventure play area, packed full with slides, climbing equipment, balance beams and trampolines.
In 2001 foot and mouth struck the country and Noah's Ark couldn't get the camels, bison and deer they wanted into the farm until the end of the year, so instead added some exotic birds - storks and cranes.
Reptiles also first came to Noah's Ark in 2001.
2002 saw the construction of a monkey house for the new arrivals: tamarins, lemurs and marmosets. 2002 also brought more reptiles, and a rescued meerkat. Meanwhile another barn was converted, the 'Ark Arena' is home to some huge slides, and also has staging and seating for 500 people. Daily educational animal shows now take place in the arena.
The worlds longest hedge maze (named 'the Monster Maze') was planted in 2003, together with a massive indoor 3D maze - 'the Beehive Maze'. A large soft indoor play area was installed for toddlers. Two beautiful shire horses were also donated to the farm that year.
Barry the Builder constructed the fabulous 'Finch fountain', home to 17 different species from the finch family, in 2004.
In 2005 South African white rhinos arrived, to live in their partially completed house and fields. These were finished, along with stage 2 of the reptile house and the infrastructure of the giraffe house. The emus arrived and Lancelot the male llama.
For 2006 the new 'Animal Village' was created and the new Show Pens for large animals and hawks and owls. The giraffe house is the main addition, with many unique features to make it the most modern in the country. Gerald the male giraffe arrived on May 30th. A Tapir house and Capybara house were built.
In 2007 we built the Gibbon Gallery, the largest indoor enclosure in Europe for endangered Siamang Lesser Apes. Coatis have also been installed. The Reptile House was expanded to take Tegu Lizards, Boa Constrictors, Leaf Cutter Ants, African Land Snails and a Crocodile Monitor. More Donkeys arrived as well as Porcupines, Zebra, Tapirs and Turkeys!
In 2008 two more zebras arrived; three ostriches, some Prairie Dogs, Maras, Agoutis, Iguanas. More baby donkeys, tamarins, marmosets and llamas were born. We built the Termite Mountain playground for 5's to 10's.
Our first baby Brazilian Tapir was born, the live birth being watched world-wide on a hugely popular webcam.
After 2 years of intense planning and building work, a new Tiger Territory was built and Bengal Tigers released, with a second and third 24 hour webcam. July has seen the birth of a baby Siamang Gibbon; a prized occurrence for these endangered primates.
Further reptiles have been acquired and housed, a popular 'Bird Water World' built with five water levels and an aviary to house a variety of colourful birds. The addition of a Wellie Splash Pool with squirting water jets and channels is now a firm favourite with our young visitors!
Summer 2009 sees a special public day of celebrations to mark our 10th anniversary, following an extraordinary decade of growth and change.
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