Big animal habitats
Whipsnade Zoo is home to large-scale habitats across more than 600 acres. You can see standout species including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions and bears across one of the biggest zoo sites in the UK.
Whipsnade Zoo Tickets: 600 Acres and 11,000 Animals
Book ahead for better-value zoo entry
What to Expect...
Whipsnade Zoo is the UK's biggest zoo, home to over 11,000 animals across 600 acres of countryside overlooking the Chiltern Downs. Plan for more than three hours to explore outdoor enclosures housing lions, tigers, Asian elephants, rhinos, giraffes and penguins, plus indoor habitats including the Aquarium and Butterfly House. The zoo is part of ZSL, a global conservation charity celebrating 200 years of pioneering science and wildlife protection.
Families can break up the day at a 7,800m² outdoor play area with climbing frames, tunnels, sand play and a mini safari jeep. Daily animal talks run throughout the day, and staff are on hand to answer questions about the animals and conservation work. This summer, children can join the Zoo Crew for roleplay and costume dress-up activities exploring what it's like to work at the zoo.
The zoo opens daily from 10am. Visitors report that the spacious enclosures give animals plenty of room, and the site includes multiple play areas alongside the animal habitats. Allow at least three hours, though families with young children often spend longer to cover both the wildlife enclosures and the play zones.
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Whipsnade Zoo Entry Ticket
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What's Included in your ticket
General Admission gives you entry to Whipsnade Zoo during standard opening hours on your booked date. Last entry is one hour before closing, and closing time changes seasonally.
Your ticket covers access to the main zoo site, animal habitats, daily zoo activities and the family play areas available with general admission. Hullabazoo Indoor Play is free with zoo entry, but sessions must be booked 24 hours in advance and are subject to availability.
Includes:
Excludes:
Know before you go
- General admission covers zoo entry, main habitats, animal houses, play areas and daily talks. Extras like car entry into the zoo, train rides, tours and animal experiences cost extra.
- Children under 3 go free. For standard advance online bookings, the official FAQ says you should add their free ticket when booking so the zoo knows how many visitors to expect.
- Children under 16 will not be admitted without an accompanying adult.
- Hullabazoo Indoor Play is free with zoo entry, but must be booked 24 hours in advance and is subject to availability.
- Whipsnade Zoo does not allow dogs on site. The accessibility page states this also applies to assistance animals because of free-roaming animals.
- BBQs are not permitted.
Bicycles, motorbikes, skateboards, rollerblades and adult scooters are not allowed on zoo premises.
- Children's scooters and balance bikes are allowed under adult supervision.
- Carer entry is issued on arrival and supporting documents may include a Disability Allowance letter, PIP letter, Freedom Pass or another suitable local authority document.
What's On - Events and Activities
Whipsnade Zoo is built for a proper full day out. You get huge open-air habitats, major animal enclosures and plenty of space to move at your own pace, rather than feeling like you've seen everything in an hour.
Families can mix wildlife spotting with play breaks across Hullabazoo Adventure Play, Hullabazoo Farm and Hullabazoo Indoor Play. That makes it easier to plan a day that works for toddlers, younger children and older kids too.
Play built into the day
Hullabazoo helps break up the walking with indoor and outdoor play areas designed for younger visitors. Indoor Play is free with zoo admission, but you need to book a slot 24 hours before your visit.
Optional extras on the day
General admission covers the main zoo visit, but you can add paid extras if you want to shape your day differently. These include car entry into the zoo and rides on the Great Whipsnade Railway when running.
Highlights
Over 11,000 animals across 600 acres
Whipsnade is the UK's biggest zoo, home to over 11,000 animals including a herd of Asian elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, giraffes and hippos. Set across 600 acres of countryside overlooking the Chiltern Downs, the large outdoor enclosures give you plenty of space to explore.
Daily animal talks and keeper sessions
Join the daily animal talks to learn more about species from across the world and what the zoo is doing to protect them. Staff are dedicated and informative, always willing to answer questions.
Themed outdoor play area spanning 7,800m²
Kids can burn off energy in the outdoor play area, which covers over 7,800m² and includes bridges, swings, climbing frames, tunnels, sand play and a mini safari jeep. There are plenty of children's activities to break up the walking.
Butterfly House and underwater aquarium
Discover the tropical temperatures of the Butterfly House, home to hundreds of colourful butterflies and vast different species of invertebrates. Then delve into the fascinating underwater worlds of the zoo's aquarium.
Summer Zoo Crew roleplay activities
Junior animal-lovers can join the Zoo Crew this summer for fun roleplay and costume dress-up activities, exploring what it's like to work at Whipsnade Zoo. The zoo is part of ZSL, a global conservation charity celebrating 200 years of pioneering science.
Ticket Instructions & Booking Process
- Your e-tickets are sent by email after booking.
- Show your tickets on your phone at the entrance, no printing needed.
- Booking in advance gives you better-value entry than buying at the gate.
- Pre-booked tickets help speed up arrival, especially on busy dates.
Attraction Details
Opening Times
Regular Times
- Monday, 10:00 - 16:00
- Tuesday, 10:00 - 16:00
- Wednesday, 10:00 - 16:00
- Thursday, 10:00 - 16:00
- Friday, 10:00 - 16:00
- Saturday, 10:00 - 16:00
- Sunday, 10:00 - 16:00
*Closing times vary between 16:00 and 18:00
Last entry is one hour before closing.
28/03/2026 - 02/09/2026: 10am opening, 5pm last entry, 6pm closing.
03/09/2026 - 23/10/2026: 10am opening, 4pm last entry, 5pm closing.
24/10/2026 - 12/02/2027: 10am opening, 3pm last entry, 4pm closing.
Animal houses and Passage through Asia close 15 minutes before the zoo closes.
Closing times may change due to special events.
Great Whipsnade Railway is a paid extra and does not run year-round.
Directions
Whipsnade Zoo
Whipsnade Zoo, Whipsnade, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2LF, England
Tel: 03442251826
This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.
Last updated: 12:54 29/07/2026
Important Information
- Online tickets are cheaper than gate prices.
- Last entry is one hour before closing.
- Free external parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- One free essential carer ticket is available for eligible disabled visitors on arrival with supporting documents.
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking FAQs
Most asked questions relating to Whipsnade Zoo.
Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours exploring the zoo. With 600 acres to cover and over 11,000 animals to see, a full day allows time to enjoy the animal talks, play areas and various habitats without rushing.
Whipsnade Zoo Reviews
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