Zoos ✓ Detailed listing

Whipsnade Zoo

Dunstable

Zoo near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England

Opening Open daily from 10am. 3 September - 23 October 2026: open 10am, last entry 4pm, closing 5pm. 24 October 2026 - 12 February 2027: last entry 3pm. Last entry to the Zoo is one hour before closing; animal houses and Passage through Asia close 15 minutes before the Zoo closes. Last entry and closing times subject to change due to special events.

Price Admission ticket prices not stated; admission tickets carry no VAT and booking direct online offers the best value. Eligible Gold members and ZSL Fellows receive two half-price tickets per year, and ZSL Patrons receive two complimentary tickets per Primary Patron.

Typical visit Not provided yet

Age fit All ages; children under 16 will not be admitted without an accompanying adult.

Setting indoor/outdoor

The experience

About this day out

Whipsnade Zoo in Dunstable, Bedfordshire is the UK's biggest zoo and part of ZSL (Zoological Society of London), a global conservation charity celebrating 200 years of science and conservation. Open daily from 10am, it offers animal houses, a Butterfly House and Aquarium, a steam train, indoor and adventure play areas, a farm, and experiences such as meeting animals, being a Zookeeper for the day, and overnight sleepovers.

When to go

Opening calendar

Open daily from 10am. 3 September - 23 October 2026: open 10am, last entry 4pm, closing 5pm. 24 October 2026 - 12 February 2027: last entry 3pm. Last entry to the Zoo is one hour before closing; animal houses and Passage through Asia close 15 minutes before the Zoo closes. Last entry and closing times subject to change due to special events.

Check the venue calendar ↗

What it costs

Prices at a glance

Admission: Admission ticket prices not stated; admission tickets carry no VAT and booking direct online offers the best value. Eligible Gold members and ZSL Fellows receive two half-price tickets per year, and ZSL Patrons receive two complimentary tickets per Primary Patron.

Prices can change. Confirm ticket terms with the venue before booking.

Practical details

Facilities & accessibility

At a glance

Internal electric bus service (trial)Wheelchair hire (£25 refundable deposit)Mobility scooter hire (£20 plus £30 refundable deposit)Pushchair hire (£10 single / £15 double plus £15 refundable deposit)Pullable trailer-type wagon hire (£20 plus £15 refundable deposit)Base Camp RestaurantViewpoint Kitchen and DeliGift shopFirst Aid Point (next to the Visitor Centre)Steam train (two wheelchairs accommodated per trip)Hullabazoo Indoor PlayHullabazoo Adventure PlayHullabazoo FarmButterfly HouseAquariumBirds of the World ArenaEvents marqueeFree external car park

Accessibility: The Zoo welcomes people of all needs and abilities, with level ramp access to all animal indoor houses (including the Butterfly House and Aquarium), Base Camp Restaurant, Viewpoint Kitchen and Deli, Birds of the World Arena, Hullabazoo play areas and farm, First Aid Point, the steam train, and the events marquee. An internal electric bus service is being trialled. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired (pre-booking advised via 01582 871517, 9-11am), and regular relaxed early openings run 9am-10am on the last Sunday of each month for visitors with additional needs. Some areas are hard to reach, including the steep ramp out of the underpass, the loose-substrate Elephant car park, a steep path from Base Camp to the flamingos, and Owl Wood's bark chippings.
Parking: Free external car park connected to the entrance by an underpass with a steep ramp; blue badge holders can use their pass to gain car entry into the Zoo if needed.
Dogs: No dogs are allowed on the Whipsnade Zoo premises.

Getting there

Where you'll find it

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