ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Debbie Kingsland
Whipsnade is the largest zoo in the UK with over 11,000 animals over 600 acres of the Chiltern Hills. I’m lucky enough to have this pretty much on my doorstep. The grounds and views alone are enough to want to visit for the day along with wandering wallabies and maras. I’ve been to some zoos in various countries and in my opinion this wins hands-down.
I went along today and being the half term week there was an amazing interactive “Vets in Action” event which is on until this Sunday (22nd) Mini aspiring vets can put on a gown and take up the role of a vet. Learning through roleplay and hands-on play activities they also find out about all the amazing work that goes into protecting some of the world’s most endangered species. This is included in the entry price. I’d suggest the ideal age range for this is probably between four and seven but we saw many younger and older children getting totally immersed.
There are lots of other interactive and interesting things to do both paid and free. I had the opportunity of spending a night in one of the lodges which was a fabulous experience and you get night and early morning tours whilst the zoo is closed and you can often get to see and hear the animals that prefer to stay out of the limelight. (Until they are fed however) Feeding the giraffes is also fab.
There are always newbies being born and currently Mike the southern white rhino is making an appearance along with Duke and Leoni the giraffe calves. Hidden in the monkey forest look out for the two week old golden haired langur baby. Unlike a lot of zoo’s the animals have a huge amount of space so it’s really easy to see your favourites in a habitat not dissimilar to their own.
If you take the car in you can drive around “Asia” where you see free roaming animals such as camels and various deer species. No car? Jump on the steam train that takes you on a tour or the electric bus circles the whole zoo of which you can jump on and off.
The petting farm is also a great area to visit where you can get close up to the goats, rabbits and other farm yard animals. Whilst there you’ll find the indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds with tunnels, climbing frames, zip wires to list just a few.
There are a number of places to eat with the Base Camp being the biggest offering a wide range of food and drink. I personally love the View Point cafe which looks out onto incredible views where there are great picnic areas if you want a more quiet area.
Within the grounds is the incredible Chalk Lion which is thought to be the biggest hill figures in the UK spanning over 6,500. There is talk that to celebrate the zoo’s 200 the anniversary the newly renovated chalk lion will be illuminated.
In addition to all of that, when you visit the zoo you are helping towards all the amazing things they do around the world to assist with the conservation and breeding of our most threatened species in the hope that they are still around for our future generations.
Getting there – if you have a car it’s a few miles off the M1 and there is free parking.
To get to Whipsnade Zoo by public transport, take a train to Luton (Thameslink) or Hemel Hempstead (London Northwestern). From Luton station, take the dedicated Zoo bus (often service 40 or X31) directly to the entrance. A 50% discount on entry is available with a valid train ticket.
Where to buy your tickets – https://www.whipsnadezoo.org/
Rating: 5/5
Standard ticket prices at the gate
Adults £32.50 – £36.75
Children 3 – 15 £22.75-25.75
14-22 February 2026 – 30% off when using code LOVE30 or WEB30 when booking online
There are also other discounts and annual passes available listed on the website.