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Explore acres and acres of epic adventure at the UK’s biggest zoo.

Home to more than 2,500 animals, many of which are endangered in the wild, the Zoo’s impressive 600 acre (2.4 km2) site can be found on the Chiltern Hills, near Dunstable, Bedfordshire.

An interactive, immersive and inspiring Zoo

ZSL is actively involved in ‘bringing down the bars’ by creating interactive, immersive and inspiring exhibits.

In recent years new exhibits, such as Wild Wild Whipsnade, Cheetah Rock, Rhinos of Nepal, In with the Lemurs, our Chimpnasium, Lions of the Serengeti, and our elephant enclosure, show how ZSL creates realistic environments to house some of the world’s most impressive and inspiring animals.

A zoo, not a safari park

As the Zoo has such expansive grounds, visitors have occasionally been known to think it is a safari park.

However, visitors are allowed to bring their cars into the grounds, which are allowed into the one large drive through area, ‘Passage through Asia’. Alternatively you can take the free Safari bus around the zoo which stops at all the main exhibits.

The Zoo does offer another impressive way of seeing its animals: The Jumbo Express. Visitors can take a ride our two steam engines, Excelsior and Superior. These trains weave their way through the territories of some of the Zoo’s most impressive and inspiring animals, such as the elephants, rhino and camels.

Whilst most of the Zoo’s inhabitants are kept in specially designed enclosures, a few species are allowed to roam freely around the grounds. These include Patagonian mara, Chinese water deer, wallabies and peafowl.

AQUARIUM at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Dedicated to conserving threatened and extinct in the wild freshwater fish, you can now come face to face with the toothy Pinstripe Damba fish!

**Summer Shuttle Bus from Luton** A direct bus service from Luton Railway station / Interchange to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (via Dunstable, West Street) will be available every day in the summer school holidays (Saturday 21 July – Sunday 2 September 2018). The fares for the subsidised service will be £2.50 return & £2.00 single. The 30-minute journey on the 200 bus route will drop you at the zoo at either 10.28am or 11.28am, and pick you up at 4.45pm or 5.45pm.

• Halloween Event: Boo at the Zoo from 19th until 31st October 2019. Experience Halloween storytime, casting spells, wrap the mummy and so much more!

Lions of the Serengeti
The Lions of the Serengeti exhibit provides unique and intriguing views of our pride of African lions – a truly unforgettable experience.

Wild Wild Whipsnade
Take yourself back to a time when beasts walked the land, where wolverine peeped out from shady woodlands and moose stalked the forests in days gone by at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Chimpnasium
Our chimps have a wonderful enclosure including an extensive indoor gymnasium so they can swing to their hearts' content.

Passage Through Asia

Passage through Asia is a large rolling paddock with no barriers between you and the animals, housing Bactrian camels, yak, and Pere David's deer amongst others.

Visitors can either drive-through this exhibit or just take the Jumbo Express!

Butterfly House
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s brand new Butterfly House is one of the largest butterfly biomes of any UK Zoo. Featuring over 30 different species from around the world, visitors will be surrounded by hundreds of colourful butterflies.

Hullabazoo farm
Hullabazoo Farm is an interactive, up-close adventure, where little ones are able to meet and greet a whole host of farmyard friends.

Plus so much more to see!

There's Always Something New at the Zoo too...
Whipsnade Zoo also has lots of new exhibits and daily events offering a chance to learn more about the animals and their habits. Events include Hippo Chat, Lemur Lookout, Peckish Penguins, Giant Giraffes and many more.

Don't miss it!

• Our great Whipsnade Zoo tickets give you and the family the opportunity to see an assortment of the most fluttery, leathery, furry, wriggly and wonderful wildlife on the planet.
   
• Infants, children and under 16's must be accompanied by an adult.
   
• Free entry for one essential carer or free car entry into the Zoo is available per paying disabled adult visitor.

Access
Whilst most of the Zoo is accessible for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties, there may be restrictions in some areas of the zoo.

There is ramp access to the following areas:

• The Animal Houses.
• The Wild Bite Café and Lookout Café.
• The Sealion Arena and Bird Arena to view the displays
• Hullabazoo and the Children's Farm
• The Estate Office (First Aid Point)
• The Safari bus and Road Train.
• Owl Wood - Access may cause wheelchair users some difficulty, as it is covered by bark chippings in order to subdue the noise.
• The Train - Please note that only two wheelchairs can be accommodated on the Train per trip.

Ticket Information

Opening Days: Daily year-round excluding 25 December. Summer Opening 2019: 6 April 2019 to 1 September 2019. Winter Opening 2019/20: 16 February 2019 to 5 April 2019 and 2 September 2019 to 3 April 2020.

Opening Times: From 10AM. Closing times vary dependent on time of year usually between 4PM in Winter and 6PM in Summer. Last admission is generally one hour before scheduled closing time, please check the website before arrival to avoid disappointment.

Duration: Your ticket is valid for 1 full day admission.

Address: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 2LF. Tel: 0344 225 1826. DIRECTIONS By bus: The park is now served by Centrebus route X31, linking Luton Central Station, Luton Centre, Dunstable and Hemel Hempstead (Centre and Rail Station) with the zoo. It runs approximately every two hours, Monday to Saturday (with some extra peak time buses). For more information please visit the Centrebus website. By car: Only 20 minutes from the M25 (junction 21), ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is signposted from the M1 (junction 9 and junction 12) and all major roads.

Additional Information: Permission must be obtained for all filming and photography for commercial purposes. Children under 16 will not be admitted without an adult. We do not allow re-entry to the zoo. No dogs are allowed on the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo premises. Bicycles and motor bikes are not allowed on Zoo premises. BBQs not permitted. Rollerskates, rollerblades, skateboards are not allowed on zoo premises. Children's scooters are permitted if they are supervised by an adult. Heelys roller shoes must not be used as skates, but may be worn as shoes. Please note, there is no provision for left luggage.

CONCESSION TICKETS: A person is entitled to a concession ticket if they are a Disabled Person, Senior (60yrs +) or Student (16yrs +), with supporting documents to confirm their entitlement to Concessionary Rates. Disabled children still come under the Child ticket category. ZSL offers free entry for one essential carer per paying disabled visitor, so the carer would not require a ticket for entrance. However, relevant supporting documents must be brought on the day of the visit and ZSL reserves the right to charge the applicable general admission rate to any person not able to validate their entitlement to Concession rates.