A quick trip to the Pandas in Edinburgh Zoo

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Our trip to see the Pandas, October 2023

We recently took a flying trip to Edinburgh Zoo to see the Pandas before they left at the beginning of December 2023

Unfortunately, this was soon after our house flooded in Storm Babet.

Which meant that whilst we were happy to escape the flood-sodden house and land to a warm safe bed and shower we were already exhausted before we started but unsure about leaving for too long. 

Therefore we set off on our awful drive late on a Sunday afternoon. Over 6 hours of driving led ahead on our adventure to Edinburgh. Not wanting to stop for long food was packed and off we went. Hitting diversion, after diversion, after pheasant, after diversion. (Yes a dark day for pheasant kind and my first experience of a horrible, rural drivers experience.) 

As we approached Newcastle the ever faithful sat nav took us to shorter route. So off the A1 we headed in search of 40 shorter minutes. Which soon disappeared and I feel grew and grew. We had been led down the country path of A68.The literal scenic route.

But this was 7pm in flooded waters and rough weather. There would be no scenic views for us only the most amount of hidden summits I have every encountered. It was like being on a rollercoaster for 2 hours. In the dark. Only there was no tracks. Someone was driving. Me. I was driving. Half the dips held flood water and as you sat at the peaks there was no idea what lay ahead. No tracks to keep you safe. No voice telling you it was over and to keep arms and legs inside. 

I don’t do rollercoasters 

And I certainly did not do 60mph

This scenic route took us through Jedbourough and other probably very interesting Scottish towns until we arrived with a jolt at Edinburgh bypass. By this point, I was just desperate for the drive to be over

Our hotel for visiting Pandas

Soon it was as we arrived in our beautiful IHG resort right inside the carpark of Edinburgh Zoo. Useless to walk in the town centre but perfect for our needs. 

After we squeezed into our parking spot. Parking is free in the hotel’s carpark or reduced in the much larger zoo carpark (free overnight I believe). When I say the hotel’s carpark is tight I mean the colours of many a car are scraped along the pillars and walls so be aware. 

We then headed inside into what felt like a newly renovated hotel lobby registered our car and received our room cards. Staff were attentive and warm. 

There was a restaurant and bar onsight including a Starbucks which we made good use of. Some staff were obviously more batista trained than others as there was a fair bit of variation depending on who served. There seemed to be food served for most of the day. Including a large buffet breakfast which was included in our room price. 

Whilst the buffet breakfast had plenty it was more geared towards meat eaters who could definitely get great value out of the 16.99 each. Having recently been to Yorkshire the difference in price and value between a northern town and a capital city was stark.

But breakfast kept us sated till late lunch both days allowing us to keep going. 

Our day trip to Edinburgh Zoo

We booked the zoo for 11 so that we could enjoy the joys of showering in the morning but ended up queuing from 10.30 luckily as we still didn’t get in till past 11. If we had queued earlier we felt the queue would have been shorter as it grew a lot during our wait time. 

The zoo itself was an amazing experience and I will share more key information on visiting there next week.

Key highlights for us included the pandas (now returned to China), Koalas (a first for us) and the most delicious homemade shortbread I’ve ever eaten in the Penguins Cafe. The penguins also go on parade daily which is unique to Edinburgh Zoo but we missed this.

The return journey

After another shower or two (we still have no running water at home due to the flood) and a delicious breakfast it was time to head for home. 

On our return we stuck to the A1 which whilst it still goes up and down the Scottish Hills, slowly winds bends and flows in large sweeping motions. Much, much better for us.

A much needed rest bite with friends was taken just off the A1 in Newcastle. The Falcon’s Nest provides excellent food and comfort and literally finds itself a roundabout for A1 which is perfect for a different type of stop than your motorway services. 

We certainly enjoyed our trip to Edinburgh Zoo and would return again (via the A1). More practical information on how to plan your own trip will follow next week!