Six hundred acres of Chiltern countryside, and rhinos grazing across the hillside like it is the most natural thing in the world. Whipsnade is the UK’s biggest zoo, and the scale is the whole point. Elephants roam paddocks the size of fields, lions survey the Serengeti, and a vintage steam train carries you past herds of deer, yak and camels.
Home to thousands of animals across sweeping landscapes, this is a full day out rather than a quick circuit. Book your Whipsnade Zoo tickets and swap the city for the wild!
Home to thousands of animals across sweeping landscapes, this is a full day out rather than a quick circuit. Book your Whipsnade Zoo tickets and swap the city for the wild!
Key Highlights
- Explore the UK’s largest zoo across 600 acres of Chiltern Hills countryside
- Watch Asian elephants roam one of the biggest elephant habitats in Europe
- Come eye to eye with lions, tigers, rhinos and giraffes
- Ride the Great Whipsnade Railway through the Passage through Asia
- Spot free-roaming wallabies, mara and deer wandering the grounds
- Catch live keeper talks and feeding sessions throughout the day
- Take in sweeping views across the Chiltern Downs
- Burn off energy at the play areas dotted around the zoo
- See the famous Whipsnade White Lion carved into the hillside
About Whipsnade Zoo Ticket
Whipsnade Zoo opened in 1931 as something genuinely new: a zoo where animals lived in open countryside rather than cages. Nearly a century later that founding idea still defines it. Spread across 600 acres of the Chiltern Hills in Bedfordshire, it is by far the largest zoo in the UK, and the space means animals live in paddocks and habitats on a scale you simply do not see elsewhere.
The headline residents are the big ones. Asian elephants occupy a vast grassland habitat, white rhinos graze open hillside, and lions, tigers, cheetahs and giraffes each have room to behave naturally. Smaller and stranger creatures fill out the rest, from penguins and sea lions to butterflies, reptiles and the free-roaming wallabies and mara that wander the paths alongside visitors.
Passage through Asia is the signature experience, a drive-through section where deer, yak and camels move around you. You can reach it in your own car or aboard the Great Whipsnade Railway, a vintage steam train that has been running since the 1970s. Keeper talks run throughout the day, and indoor houses, play areas and cafés break up the walking.
Behind it all sits ZSL, a science-led conservation charity working across more than 50 countries. Because ZSL is a charity, admission carries no VAT, so every penny goes toward animal care and conservation work.
Book through Thrillark and secure your visit at the best available rate, so you arrive ready to explore rather than queueing at the gate.
The headline residents are the big ones. Asian elephants occupy a vast grassland habitat, white rhinos graze open hillside, and lions, tigers, cheetahs and giraffes each have room to behave naturally. Smaller and stranger creatures fill out the rest, from penguins and sea lions to butterflies, reptiles and the free-roaming wallabies and mara that wander the paths alongside visitors.
Passage through Asia is the signature experience, a drive-through section where deer, yak and camels move around you. You can reach it in your own car or aboard the Great Whipsnade Railway, a vintage steam train that has been running since the 1970s. Keeper talks run throughout the day, and indoor houses, play areas and cafés break up the walking.
Behind it all sits ZSL, a science-led conservation charity working across more than 50 countries. Because ZSL is a charity, admission carries no VAT, so every penny goes toward animal care and conservation work.
Book through Thrillark and secure your visit at the best available rate, so you arrive ready to explore rather than queueing at the gate.
Inclusions
- Admission to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
- Access to animal talks and feeding sessions.
- Access to live animal shows.
- Entry to one of the UK's largest zoos and Europe's leading wildlife conservation parks.
Exclusions
- Great Whipsnade Railway tickets
- Car admission into the zoo grounds
Insiders' Tips
Arrive at the 10am opening, since animals are most active in the morning and 600 acres takes longer to cover than most visitors expect.
Additional Information
Operating Hours
Child Policy
Accessibility & Facilities
Restrictions
Other
- Opens daily at 10:00, with seasonal closing times
- Last entry is one hour before closing
- Closing is 17:00 in early autumn and 16:00 through winter
- Animal houses and Passage through Asia close 15 minutes before the zoo
- Closed on Christmas Day
Child Policy
- Children under 3 enter free but still need a ticket booked
- Child rate applies to ages 3 to 15
- Children under 16 will not be admitted without an adult
Accessibility & Facilities
- Wheelchairs available to hire, pre-booking recommended, £25 refundable deposit
- Mobility scooters available for a £20 hire fee plus £30 refundable deposit
- Blue Badge holders get free car entry and designated external parking
- One free essential carer per disabled visitor, issued on arrival with documentation
- Pushchairs available to hire, single £10 and double £15
Restrictions
- Assistance animals are not permitted due to free-roaming wildlife on site
- Bicycles, electric scooters and motorbikes are not allowed on site
- Smoking and vaping are only permitted in the external car park
- No luggage storage is available
- Visitors may not feed the animals
- Some animals may be off show for welfare reasons
Other
- Located in the Chiltern Hills near Dunstable, Bedfordshire
- Free external car park opens at 08:00 and closes an hour after the zoo
- Car admission into the zoo grounds is charged separately
- You are welcome to bring your own food, with tables provided across the site
- Online tickets are better value than gate prices
- ZSL is a conservation charity, and admission carries no VAT
Cancellation Policy
This ticket is non-refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a Whipsnade Zoo ticket?
Your ticket covers full-day entry to all animal habitats and viewing areas across the 600-acre site. Daily keeper talks, feeding demonstrations and the outdoor play areas are included. The Great Whipsnade Railway, car admission and animal experiences are charged separately.
How long should I spend at Whipsnade Zoo?
Most visitors spend between three and five hours exploring. The zoo covers 600 acres, which is considerably more ground than a typical zoo. Allow a full day if you want to catch several keeper talks and let children use the play areas.
What are the Whipsnade Zoo opening hours?
The zoo opens at 10:00 every day, with closing times varying by season. Last entry is always one hour before closing. Animal houses and Passage through Asia close 15 minutes before the zoo itself.
Is Whipsnade Zoo a safari park?
No, it is a zoo, though it does include one drive-through section called Passage through Asia where deer, yak and camels roam. You can reach it in your own car for a charge or aboard the Great Whipsnade Railway. The entire zoo can also be explored on foot.
Do children need a ticket for Whipsnade Zoo?
Children under 3 enter free but should still be booked in so the zoo knows numbers. Ages 3 to 15 pay the child rate. Children under 16 will not be admitted without an accompanying adult.
Can I bring my own food into Whipsnade Zoo?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own food, and tables are provided across the site. Several cafés and food outlets also operate within the zoo and cater for a range of dietary needs. Feeding the animals is not permitted.
Is Whipsnade Zoo wheelchair accessible?
Most of the site is accessible, and wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired subject to availability with a refundable deposit. Pre-booking is strongly recommended. Blue Badge holders receive free car entry, and one essential carer enters free with each disabled visitor on presentation of documentation.
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