
Features / history
13 historic photos of Bristol Zoo
Bristol Zoo Gardens has been open since July 11 1836, making it the fifth oldest zoo in the world. It’s been a tourist attraction since it opened, and has been immortalised in Bristol Archives‘ vast postcard collection over the years. Things have changed a lot of since the early days, but you still might recognise some of the spots.

Zoological Gardens 1910-1936 43207/12/13/1

The Zoological Gardens, date unknown 43207/12/13/4

View from Bear Pit, taken between 1950 and 1960 43207/12/13/12

Timothy, a baby chimpanzee born in the zoo, 1957 43207/12/9/10

Baby elephants and their keepers, 1966 43207/12/5/20

Lion Cubs born in Bristol Zoo, date unknown 43207/12/4/7

Baby Giraffe Born at Bristol Zoo, 1959 43207/12/6/9

Elephant Rides at the zoo, 1920s 43207/12/5/12

The lawn and bandstand, 1900 43207/12/13/9

The Broadwalk, 1930s 43207/12/13/11

The lake, date unknown. 43207/12/13/40

Girls playing a hoop game in the 1930s 43207/12/14/13
Read more: 26 historic photos of College Green