This thread is for zoo-chatters to post updates as we receive them about dates, timings and booking specifics. A 'one-stop' resource of facts. e.g. Paignton zoo. Re-opening July 4th. 10AM - 2 PM. Online pre-booking only. (*This is only an example)
Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park will be reopening on the 25th June. The tropical house will be closed for the time being due to government guidelines, though we're hoping that'll be relaxed soon so that we can show off all the work we have been doing in there during lockdown as this part didn't make it onto the TV series. There are also no butterflies this year (there's no point if people can't go into enclosed spaces), though we may be allowing people to walk through the butterfly house with the big doors open either end. Tickets are available from the website with timed entries, and we're operating a one way system around the park and woods, though you can spend as much time as you like here and will be able to go round as many times as you like. The shops, field kitchen and brand new garden centre (which is really good!) are all going to be open from the 15th June.
Dudley Zoo & Castle will be reopening on Monday 15th June. Tickets are only available online and only available for the date and time chosen at the time of booking. Numbers of visitors limited to 300 per day initially. They would prefer if car park tokens were purchased online so they don't have to handle cash. If you already have a ticket (e.g. Adopters and Members) you need to contact them to book the date and time you'd like to visit. No land train, chairlift or funfair operating. Toilets are open but catering facilities are not. No indoor walk through areas open. Access via the turnstile entrance on Castle Hill. More information on the Zoo's website. We will be opening again soon! – Dudley Zoo and Castle
Hoo Farm in Telford is reopening on Monday 15th June. Visitors must pre-book tickets online and there will be a cap on numbers. Members will be able to enter without a pre-booked ticket. Entry will be in half hour slots throughout the day. Card payments only; no cash. Cafe will only offer takeaway options and children's play areas are closed. More information on their website. COVID-19 GUIDANCE - Hoo Farm
As far as I can tell these zoos are all re-opening on Monday 15th June with new restrictions in place. Some collections have reserved the first few days for members only. Chester Twycross Dudley Whipsnade London Longleat (walkthrough reopen 25th June) Woburn (walkthrough TBA) WMSP (walkthrough TBA) Hamerton Port Lympne Howletts Wingham Knowsley Cotswold - 17th June Blackpool - TBA Marwell - TBA YWP - TBA Colchester - TBA Wild Place - TBA Bristol - TBA Noah's Ark - Late June Paignton - Early July Banham - Early July Africa Alive - Early July Newquay - Early July Exmoor - Early July
Wildwood Trust sites are opening to members on the 15th, and the general public from the 16th. Booking in advance for reserved timeslots but they are also opening of an evening, well in Kent at least.
Government Health Warning Trying to visit a zoo could seriously damage your health! If you're a ZSL member or fellow - don't do it if you value your sanity! It seems OK if you want to buy a ticket though.... Been trying for 2 hours, gave up and bought a ticket for Hamerton the day I wanted within 2 minutes!!
Just booked a Twycross visit in for the first weekend of opening, nice and smooth. (and Twycross probably won't even feel that different, as locked up indoor houses and arbitrary restrictions on the route you can take are par for the course these days ) Might go for somewhere else on the second day; had thought of Woburn (for some Sable action) but they are charging a simplified 'concessionary' £50 for a car of up to 5 people as their cheapest option - a major discount if there's five of you, a marginal one if there's two, but not great for those of us who would be solo..!
Just looked at Cotswold WP website and it looks like there's no restriction on numbers. They encourage etickets and point out that they are cheaper but don't seem to insist on them. We encourage visitors to purchase E-tickets to minimise cash handling. E-tickets are cheaper than tickets bought at the gate. Click here to purchase your E-Tickets online. (Please Note: Online E-Tickets cannot be purchased on the day of your visit, therefore please buy E-Tickets up to midnight the day before your visit).
Says it all doesn't it, I've been a fellow for a very long time now and they seem to mess a lot of things up, so why should we be surprised that this went wrong
The Ark Wildlife Park hope to re-open in late June, but need to prepare the site first; as all of their staff were furloughed with the sanctuary run solely by the owners and their children, not a lot has been done in this regard with resources devoted to looking after the animals and doing important admin, fund-raising etc. Monkey World do not currently have a date for when they will re-open.
