Whipsnade Zoo is the UK’s largest zoo, covering over 600 acres of the beautiful Chiltern Hills countryside. It is owned by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and is home to over 10,000 animals, including lions, tigers, rhinos, elephants, zebra, hippos, and giraffes. Whether you’re a family looking for a fun day out or a wildlife enthusiast, Whipsnade Zoo offers a wide range of attractions and experiences to explore.
Ticket Options and Prices
Whipsnade Zoo offers a variety of ticket options to suit different needs and group sizes. Here are the current ticket prices for individual entry:
Ticket Type | Price |
---|---|
One Adult | £35 |
One Child | £26 |
Two Adults | £70 |
One Adult and One Child | £61 |
Two Adults and Two Children | £122 |
These prices are for East of England residents. If you are not a resident of East of England, the prices may vary slightly.
For families, Whipsnade Zoo offers a family ticket that includes entry for two adults and two children. The current price for a family ticket is £122.
Booking and Ticketing Information
To book tickets for Whipsnade Zoo, you can visit the official website or purchase tickets from authorized sellers such as Buyagift and VisitBritain Shop. When booking online, you will receive an e-voucher with a QR code that you need to print and show at the attraction to exchange for an entry ticket.
Children under 3 years old enter for free, and their tickets can be added on arrival at the zoo. Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Whipsnade Zoo is wheelchair accessible, and carers are welcome. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for hire on a first-come, first-served basis. Carer tickets are available on arrival to the zoo on production of a valid blue badge.
Dogs are not allowed on the premises, and bicycles, motorbikes, roller-skates, rollerblades, skateboards, and children’s scooters are not allowed on Zoo premises. Heelys roller shoes must not be used as skates but may be worn as shoes.
Opening Hours and Additional Information
Whipsnade Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas Day, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm or 6:00 pm, depending on the season. Last admission is one hour before closing time, and animal houses close 15 minutes before the Zoo closes.
You can visit the Zoo at any time during opening hours, and parking charges apply, although free car parking is available opposite the attraction. Tickets purchased through Picniq are not refundable, but the date of the visit can be amended for a fee of £10. Picniq welcomes all bookings, including those without kids.
How to Get There
Whipsnade Zoo is located in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2LF. It is just north of London, 20 minutes from the M25 (junction 21), and signposted from the M1 (junction 9 and junction 12) and all major roads. Local bus services 40 and 40A operate from Dunstable to Whipsnade Zoo, and the nearest train stations are Leagrave and Luton.
Highlights and Attractions
Whipsnade Zoo offers a wide range of attractions and experiences for visitors of all ages. Here are some of the highlights:
- Admire over 10,000 amazing animals, including lions, tigers, rhinos, elephants, zebra, hippos, and giraffes, in their large outdoor enclosures.
- Don’t miss the rockhopper and African black-footed penguins in the penguin pool, with its epic views from the high Chiltern Downs over the surrounding countryside.
- Discover new depths as you delve deeper into the fascinating underwater worlds of Whipsnade Zoo’s Aquarium.
- Bask in the tropical temperatures of the Butterfly House, surrounded by hundreds of colourful butterflies.
- Explore the outdoor play area, perfect for burning off some energy and let imaginations run wild as kids explore over 7,800m² of themed play area.
- The kids play area includes bridges, swings, climbing frames, tunnels, sand play, mini safari jeep, and so much more.
Additional Experiences
Whipsnade Zoo offers a range of additional experiences, including:
- Lookout Lodge – Sleepover at the Zoo: A fully hosted overnight stay with three private tours, dinner, bed and breakfast, and two days zoo entry included in the price.
- Meet the elephants: Hand feed our elephant family and get to know their individual personalities, and how they are helping inform elephant conservation work in the field.
- Meet the tigers: A once in a lifetime experience to feed a beautiful Amur tiger, hosted by an expert zookeeper.
- Meet the Giraffes at Whipsnade Zoo: Get up close to the world’s tallest animals with this special Meet the Giraffes experience.
- Footplate Experience at Whipsnade Zoo: Ride on the footplate of one of our beautiful steam engines at Whipsnade Zoo.
Accessibility Information
Whipsnade Zoo is wheelchair accessible, and carers are welcome. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for hire on a first-come, first-served basis. Carer tickets are available on arrival to the zoo on production of a valid blue badge. Baby changing facilities are available, and pushchairs are allowed. Under 3s enter free, and children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Ticket Restrictions
No dogs are allowed on the premises, and bicycles, motorbikes, roller-skates, rollerblades, skateboards, and children’s scooters are not allowed on Zoo premises. Heelys roller shoes must not be used as skates but may be worn as shoes. You must obtain permission for all filming and photography for commercial purposes.
References
- Buyagift.co.uk. (n.d.). Whipsnade Zoo Tickets & Offers | Buyagift. Retrieved from https://www.buyagift.co.uk/days-out/whipsnade-zoo
- VisitBritainShop.com. (n.d.). Buy tickets to Whipsnade Zoo, England | VisitBritain. Retrieved from https://www.visitbritainshop.com/us/en/whipsnade-zoo-tickets
- Picniq.co.uk. (n.d.). Whipsnade Zoo Tickets, Free £5 Picniq Voucher. Retrieved from https://tickets.picniq.co.uk/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/.