ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

London zoo relocated some of his London animals to that giant land and they did good.
We went on a Saturday and the place is so big you won’t feel like it’s crowded. You can always see the animals and don’t have to push you way in to get a decent photo of the animals (even the red pandas).
They do talks that are very interesting (for kids and adults as well). The Sea Lions show was really fun as the live bird show (they did have to end it early because of a very mischievous bird who refused to come back; but it was still fun)
The restaurant serves really good quality food for a very decent price, but there’s tons of space to have a picnic around.
It’s a really good idea for a day out of London… if you have a car. Getting there with bus/​train is a bit of an expedition. The nearest train station is Luton, but there’s still 10 miles to get to the zoo. There’s only 1 bus that comes every 2h (even on week ends) and takes 1hour to get there. Other alternative is to go with a cab which will cost you £20 for one way. At the end of the day, it can get quite pricey (and long) so I would recommend to rent a car to go there. You’ll probably end up paying less and it won’t take you 3hours to go home.

This is the place if you want to enjoy and learn little bit about the animals! Huge area and you probably need more than one day to do it all here!

Whipsnade is part of the zoological society of London, and is located in the midlands, just 40 minutes out of Euston on the train… And a 5 minute drive down the road from my house! My family are members so we always visit using their guest passes, and you can take your own car through for about £10, which is fun as there is a safari «car only» part to the park that contains wildlife you can’t see on foot.
I am usually a huge hater of zoos, but there is just something about this one… There is a huge variety of animals, none of which have ever seemed to be unhappy, poor looked after or depressed. The park is located on a hill and there are extraordinary views of the chilterns from all the cages and lookout points. Many of the exhibits are located along these views with minimal fencing, and it is almost as if you are just strolling through the countryside with fields of rhinos and bison. I once had the privilege of doing a course at the London gliding club and saw these fields of animals from the sky as I glided over… And you can sit on the banks of the zoo watching the gliders on a clear day!
The penguin exhibit is exquisite, although I think they cleared a lot of them out and took them to the new «beach» at regents park zoo.
Entrance is about £20 a person, but I’d you make a day of it, it is certainly worth it!

This is a fabulous Zoo, it is large and the animals actually look happy. There are rhinos, lions, tigers etc, there are bird shows, seal shows etc, There is a picnic area overlooking the large rhino area, it is really lovely, especially if the weather is good. There is also a train ride, which takes you around the park, also there are roaming rabbits, peasants etc around the park. The family had a wonderful time at this zoo. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

take a picnic then get on free bus in zoo to lookout point. sit enjoy the view have food, then enjoy the animals. but be warned its lots of walking and the place is huge. tip you can use tesco vouchers for entry £5 voucher is £15 to spend on entry see tesco website. makes it more enjoyable day when its cheaper

We live only three miles from Whipsnade and have had Friends membership for the past 10 years. It is a fantastic place to visit all year round and the great thing about having membership is that you don’t worry about staying for the whole day to get your moneys worth, you go more often and can spend as long or shorter time as you want.
It does so much for conservation and feels really worth supporting.

Like most attractions Whipsnade could be an expensive place to take the family regularly but if you live within an hour or two it is well worth investing in one of the family membership deals. This is a very enjoyable Zoo to visit and it is easily navigable. It is a favourite of mine during the Christmas Break as the cold keeps many away and you can just wander around with the children enjoying the crisp air and the animals.

You can’t fail to have fun here. With more than 2500 wild animals it surely is one of the largest wild animal and conservation parks in Europe. Set in picturesque parkland, we went on safari in the car and had great fun, not as good as longleat but a close 2^nd. Carer goes in free, not cheap to get in for gifts or to eat but worth the extra.

Very nice fun animal park. Loads of animals to see including bears, elephants and monkeys. Car parking avalible near the park. Toilets and cafes dotted about. The price is dear but it’s worth it. You can get a free bus around, walk or for a small price take your car. Also picnic areas dottet about.

This is one of best zoo I have been to. You can take your car in, but I prefer to walk and use the bus and train they have. The only bad point is the Food quality at the cafes is very poor.

Whipsnade Zoo is relatively near to where I live, although I don’t visit as oftern as I should. It is slightly expensive for a family to visit. However you could probably spend all day here. It is within very large grounds and takes quite a long time to walk around, which is tiring for the adults let alone the children
There is a miniature coal train that you can catch, for an additional small fee, that will take you on a guided tour with commentary. Although I would try not to wear white as my tshirt was covered in soot at the end. Due to the wind I also got soot blown into my face and eyes. which wasn’t a pleasant experience and I’m just glad my daughter wasn’t with me at the time.
Stopped in one of the restaurants/​food outlets for lunch, was very basic looking and not a lot of food was on offer mainly junk food. I would suggest bringing a picnic. Be warned that parking is charged, in addition to the entrance fee.
Must admit the animals looked very well cared for and happy, there was plenty of room for them to roam within their enclosures, and didn’t appear as if they were restricted like in some zoos.

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is one of Europe’s largest wildlife conservation parks.
It is home to more than 2,500 animals, many of which are endangered in the wild.
With so much to see and do, a visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is the perfect day out for people of all ages.
Lions, tigers and bears, otters, elephants, bison, giraffes, reptiles, monkeys, flamingoes and rhino to name nut a few are kept in big enclosures, some of which have interactive exhibits.
There’s a free bus going round or you can walk or take your car in (extra cost). A map is included in the entrance price — a guide book is extra.
The kids also enjoy the ride in the special Jumbo train, though it has got a separate ticket.
There are several free shows each day, including sea lions, birds, giraffe bear and penguin feeding. the lemur enclosure is great too, you can walk in among them!
There are a couple of cafes or picnic areas, but watch out as the peacocks try to pinch your sarnies! the views over the downs are spectacular!
There’s not a lot of shelter if it rains so take waterproofs. The entrance fee is steep, which wouldn’t tin itsself be be too bad, but they try to get more money out of you for guidebooks, parking outside OR taking your car in, a ‘voluntary’ extra conservation fee

im so lucky to live so close to this amazing zoo, i have been many times and i am actualy a member there now as i got a year pass and i love taking my 11 month old baby around there for nice long walks to spot the animals. i find it a very friendly and kind zoo which has been upgraded alot in the past few years. they have a brand new elephant arena and lion area and also they just completed a new cheetah area which looks fab. i cant wait for summer to come around again coz u get a brilliant tan walking round there.

We have been here a few times with school and as a family. It is a great experience, and lots of shows to watch.
There is not alot that is inside, so be prepared if the weather is wet.
You can drive your car around parts if you would like, or there is a bus that can take you to different parts, otherwise there is alot of walking involved.
There are cafes and picnic areas to sit in and a nice play area.
There is also a nice little train that you can go on once included in the price of your ticket.

We are very lucky having Whipsnade almost on our doorstep, it is quite expensive if you just want to spend a day there but you can use Tesco vouchers as deals for admission (you have to send them off to get vouchers first). We usually try and get a yearly ticket because its so much cheaper, i think its 3 or 4 visits and its paid for itself. Car parking used to be included in the price of the season ticket but believe this is no longer the case.
In the summer or weekends its a great place with a season ticket to just go up for an hour or so, take your lunch or tea and have a picnic, no pressure to look around the whole place.
Lots to keep the children amused from displays by the sea lions and birds of prey, a play area and sandpit to the railway which runs through the park — there is an additional cost for the train.
Jump on the buses including an open top one to save your legs getting around the park.

Been here a few times and never dissapointed. This is one of the few places near London where you can see elephants roaming free. It is a bit expensive but good selection of animals and large surrounding grounds (great for picnics) makes this a worthwhile trip in the summer.

Quite expensive, but if you plan to go more than 4 times in a year then invest in a season ticket — then you get free parking to the external car park and 10% off inside the shops and cafes there. You can also get a ticket which allows you into London Zoo. This is a lovely zoo; the animals are well cared for and have plenty of space. The views as you drive up to the zoo are spectacular.

This is my favourite family place to go. ;o)
You can park cheaply opposite the park, or for a bit extra you can take your car into the park and drive it around most of the pens/​attractions. Very handy when you have little ones that dont walk so far!
Or in bad weather.
They have a small safari, but you can only take your car around it if you’ve paid it on. For those who park on the other cheaper carpark, there is a bus that goes round the park and through the safari.
I would say to take a picnic if the weather is nice and sit up towrds the penguins (not TOO close, as they smell!) and enjoy the view!
The shows are usually quite busy, so loiter around just before to get a good seat ;o)

what a wonderful place to go! great for all ages. The animals are all looked after! They have space to run about and they all seem happy, Definately follows the 5 freedoms.

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is one of Europe’s largest wildlife conservation parks.
It is home to more than 2,500 animals, many of which are endangered in the wild.
With so much to see and do, a visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is the perfect day out for people of all ages.
Wide open spaces, with lots of interesting animals, Whipsnade is a full day out. You’ll need comfy shoes as it’s huge and it’s well run and landscaped.
Lions, tigers and bears, otters, elephants, bison, giraffes, reptiles, monkeys, flamingoes and rhino to name nut a few are kept in big enclosures, some of which have interactive exhibits.
There’s a free bus going round or you can walk or take your car in (extra cost). A map is included in the entrance price — a guide book is extra.
The kids also enjoy the ride in the special Jumbo train, though it has got a separate ticket.
There are several free shows each day, including sea lions, birds, giraffe bear and penguin feeding. the lemur enclosure is great too, you can walk in among them!
There are a couple of cafes or picnic areas, but watch out as the peacocks try to pinch your sarnies! the views over the downs are spectacular!
There’s not a lot of shelter if it rains so take waterproofs. The entrance fee is steep, which wouldn’t tin itsself be be too bad, but they try to get more money out of you for guidebooks, parking outside OR taking your car in, a ‘voluntary’ extra conservation fee