Gentle giant returns to Old Down
By Trucks79 | Thursday, August 26, 2010, 07:39
In October 2004 the original Old Down Country Park at Tockington near Thornbury sadly closed its gates upon the retirement of its owner. At that time the animals, that had been so popular with more than a million visitors, were found new homes and everyone thought that was the last that the public would see of them. But the Park re-opened for business under new ownership at Easter last year and one of the most popular animal attractions has returned.
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Giant returns to Old Down Country Park
Woody the Clydesdale draft horse came back to Old Down Country Park on Monday 23 August to a comfortable retirement. He joins the more than a hundred other animals that can be seen around the grounds, from British farm animals and rare breeds to exotics such as wallabies, llamas and reindeer.
John Lansdown, Woody’s owner tells us:
“ It is wonderful that Woody has been able to return to the Park where he spent his earlier years to enjoy a well earned retirement. Woody previously worked in the woodland at Old Down hauling out tree trunks for the charcoal burning operation and very occasionally put on his best bib and tucker to tow a wedding carriage ! Over the past few years he has missed the attention of the many visitors he used to meet at Old Down so he’s very happy to be back. He’s going to be very popular with all the kiddies and parents.”
Woody is now the largest animal at the park by a long way - standing a gigantic 17.3 hands high and weighing in at a massive 750 kilograms !
Visitors can see Woody and all his new animal friends at the Park which is open seven days a week from 10am. till 7pm. until 30 September and then until 4pm. during the Winter months. There is a comfortable Cafe where hot and cold freshly prepared snacks can be enjoyed and a well stocked Farm Shop selling the Park’s own seasonal organic fruit and vegetables and Old Down’s own reared beef and pork.
You can find out more about Old Down Country park by going to their website -
Take a look at some of our previous Articles covering Old Down Country Park by clicking on the following links.
Oh What a perfect day at Old Down
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