Whipsnade Zoo with kids: The ultimate family day out guide

The O'Hallorans

We’re made up of Lyndsey, John and Erin, who all love a new adventure. We try to get away as much as possible, especially during school holidays and variety is a must for us. That means staying anywhere from a luxury hotel to a hostel and it’s not often we go to the same place twice.

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If you’re looking for a wild day out with the kids that’s packed with adventure, animal encounters, and stunning scenery, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire is an excellent choice. As the UK’s largest zoo, it’s home to thousands of animals and offers a full day of fun for the whole family.

We recently visited during May half term and were genuinely impressed by how much there was to see and do. Find out why we loved this zoo so much, and what there is to do during your day out.

Essential information for visiting ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Here’s everything you need to plan your visit with ease:

Address:
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Whipsnade
Dunstable
Bedfordshire
LU6 2LF
United Kingdom

Phone Number: 0344 225 1826
Email: info@zsl.org
Website: www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo

Sat Nav Information:
Use LU6 2LF for most Sat Nav systems. If you’re entering via the car gate (for driving inside the zoo), follow signs on arrival for car entry.

Opening Hours:
Opening hours vary throughout the year but typically run from 10am, with last entry between 3pm–5pm depending on the season. Check the official website before your visit for the most up-to-date information.

Illustrated map of Whipsnade Zoo displayed on a large outdoor board, showing key animal zones and visitor facilities.

Driving Around the Zoo

One of the most unique things about Whipsnade is the option to drive your own car inside the zoo. You’ll need to pay an additional fee and you can only do so on arrival, but we found it incredibly helpful. You can park up at different areas around the zoo, with special parking areas available in quite a few places.

As ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is the largest in the country, spanning 600 acres, all of that walking can be hard for children. Being able to drive from one area to the next made our day so much easier.

Man and girl standing next to a grey car in a Whipsnade Zoo parking area with benches and scenic countryside views in the background.

Half term with Mister Maker

During this particular half term, Mister Maker and Rebecca Keatley were special guests, with shows on throughout the day. We decided to make this the first port of call for the day, making sure we got to see the first show of the day at 10:45.

The queue system worked really well, and staff were fantastic and making sure everyone got seated and in the right places. The ampitheatre where the show is on is outside, and not covered so it’s worth baring this in mind and making sure you’re dressed appropriately.

Mister Maker and Rebecca Keatley performing a live arts and crafts show outdoors at Whipsnade Zoo.

The show was only 15 minutes long but it was great Mister Maker and Rebecca Keatley brought some fun songs, great energy and interactive sections to get the whole audience involved. Mister Maker has been something Erin has watched for years so this helped to create some incredible memories for her.

Keep an eye on the zoo’s website for any upcoming events in other school holidays.

What to Expect at Whipsnade Zoo

One of the things we loved most about Whipsnade is the space. This is the UK’s biggest zoo so as you can imagine, it’s huge. Being our first visit to Whipsnade Zoo, we didn’t really know what to expect but there are so many animals to discover, and we couldn’t wait to explore.

It’s hard to write about the zoo as a whole, being there’s just so much going on. Instead, I’ll break down some of my favourite things from our family day out, and what’s included.

Tiger lying on a raised wooden platform in a tree-filled enclosure at Whipsnade Zoo.

1. Animals galore

With over 11,000 animals, there’s really something for everyone. Whipsnade has some fantastic animals and while you will be able to see most of them if you stay for the whole day, it’s worth making a plan and figuring out which are the most important to you. Here are some of my favourites:

Giraffes – these are really John’s favourites but we all enjoy a visit to the giraffe enclosure. We were lucky enough to watch a giraffe feeding session with a zookeeper (which is a bookable experience at the zoo) which was pretty amazing.

Several giraffes at Whipsnade Zoo, including one lying down, with crowds of visitors watching from behind a fence.

African lions – we only got a quick glimpse of the lions on this occasion, as they were all busy having a lovely nap together. At the time, there was some lion cubs but we only got to see them from a distance this time.
Asian elephants – I really loved watching the elephants. These are such amazing animals and they’re so interesting to watch. You can also visit the centre for elephant care if you want to learn more.

Two Asian elephants at Whipsnade Zoo using their trunks to reach food hanging from above in their enclosure.

White rhinos – the white rhinos are really well located to one of the car parks in the zoo, if you have paid to be able to drive your car around. You’ll see them roaming the paddock, which was really lovely to see.
Penguins – I really love penguins and I was so excited when I found out Whipsnade Zoo’s enclosure included rockhopper penguins, which I’ve never seen before. I loved watching them diving and waddling, as well as resting in the sun. You’ll get an amazing view from the penguin enclosure too so it’s well worth a visit.

Penguins resting among rocks and plants near a pool in their Whipsnade Zoo enclosure, with countryside views in the background.

Aquarium and butterfly house – Although the aquarium is only small, it does lead on to the butterfly house, which I loved. There are so many butterflies flying around, with staff on hand to answer any questions you might have. It does get busy in here so it’s a good idea to leave it until the end of the day, or do it right at the start.

Each enclosure is thoughtfully designed with plenty of viewing platforms and information boards to keep kids engaged. It was so nice to see the animals having so much space, even if that meant we couldn’t see some animals at times. With any zoo, you’re never guaranteed to see the animals, so if they’re asleep or hiding, try again a bit later in the day.

2. Gift shops

I love a good gift shop and Whipsnade Zoo has some fantastic shops. You’ll find the biggest at the entrance of the zoo, (at the visitor centre) so if you’re looking for gift ideas you can shop just before you leave if that’s easier. You’ll find so many different options in this gift shop including post cards, dressing up, pocket money items like pens and rubbers, and some more expensive items too.

Personally, I collect pin badges from anywhere I’ve been and Whipsnade had SO many to choose from. There was an offer where you buy 5 for the price of 4 so I had to do this. Erin got some for her collection too.

3. The Hullabazoo Adventure Play Area

If you’re visiting with younger children, don’t miss the Hullabazoo play zone. It’s a brilliant space for kids to burn off energy, with plenty of climbing, sliding and exploring to be done. A visit here can really add to the family fun and really, what kid doesn’t love a huge outdoor play area!

There are picnic areas here too, and somewhere you can get hot drinks, snacks and even ice creams. It’s a nice place to have a little break from the animals.

Girl sitting on a hippo sculpture and roaring playfully in the adventure play area at Whipsnade Zoo.

4. Catch a show or talk

There is so much going on during the day at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and there’s a lot to choose from including talks and shows. The app is a great place to search for the times but there are also boards dotted around the zoo with all of this information.

We loved the Birds of the World show, learning a bit about different birds and watching them do some amazing things. We also managed to catch the tiger talk, which was so interesting.

5. Use the app

Before our visit, we downloaded the official app, which was so helpful. The app shows you the map of the zoo, and you’re able to search and get directions. It’s such a great tool for finding out where things are, how long a walk to your next location is, and also it can show you where car parks are.

By downloaded the app in advance, you can have a bit of a play around with it, so you know how it works when you need it. The app really helped to make a good day, a great day!

Girl standing beside a colourful sign spelling ‘LIONS’ at Whipsnade Zoo, in front of wooden fencing and greenery.

Food and facilities

We chose to take a picnic with us during our day at the zoo, and it’s nice to know that there are so many places where you can sit and eat. As well as picnic benches being dotted around the zoo, we saw plenty of families enjoying a spot on the grassy areas. If you drive your car around the zoo, you could also choose to eat there, especially if the weather isn’t very nice. If you fancy getting something to eat at the zoo there are quite a few places to choose from, including the Base Camp Café.

I was really happy to see that there are plenty of toilets and baby-changing facilities around the zoo. We used a few different locations and they were all very clean and tidy. Some toilets are smaller than others, in terms of how many are available, so you might have to queue a little bit, depending on where you are.

Menu board from the Africa Outpost at Whipsnade Zoo listing hot drinks, cold drinks, snacks, bakery items, ice cream, and meal prices.

Top tips for visiting Whipsnade Zoo with kids

Decide if you want to drive in the zoo – you can’t book this in advance but it does help to save on walking if you’re with younger children.
Wear comfortable shoes – even with a car, there’s still plenty of walking.
Bring layers – it’s quite exposed at the top of the hill and can be breezy.
Check the timetable for animal talks and feeds to help plan your day.
Bring a picnic to make the most of the green spaces.
Visit early to avoid queues and enjoy a quieter start.