It's 50 years since Lambton Lion Park opened - and a generation of North East folk will fondly remember family outings and school trips to the unique visitor attraction near Chester-le-Street.
Astonishingly, in July 1972, the roar of lions and the cries of other wild beasts began to be heard across the plains of County Durham as the safari park in the grounds of Lambton Castle threw open its gates for the first time. The lions naturally were the park’s main attraction, but there were also zebras and giraffes, mostly supplied by Jimmy Chipperfield of the famous circus family.
Asian elephants, camels, bears, wildebeest, ostriches and baboons were some of the other Lambton regulars. The park was also home to the world’s second largest land mammal, the white rhino. The initial cost of acquiring all the animals was said to be £60,000.
