We have a reopening date…

We’re delighted to let you know we will reopen on Wednesday 2 December and we’ll be spreading plenty of festive cheer!

We know how much you’ve loved SUPERSIZED! and we’re super excited to announce our larger than life toy brick adventure will now be at Marwell until 21 February 2021. That’s three more months of eye-popping sculptures such as the towering three-metre tarantula and strikingly colourful kingfisher! For a seasonal twist, the team have shrunk and hidden 10 tiny brick reindeer around the trail for a festive hide and seek. 

Father Christmas and his elves are sadly unable to visit Marwell this year but that hasn’t stopped us from decorating the front of Grade 1 listed Marwell Hall as we do every year for you to enjoy. Capture the perfect family photo beside a fairytale princess carriage, Santa’s sleigh with flying reindeer or our enchanting display of Christmas trees. The decorations will be turned off at 3.45pm to allow you enough time to exit the zoo at 4pm. 

Marwell’s Chief Executive James Cretney, said:  “Even when the zoo is closed, our daily costs remain incredibly high as the responsibility of looking after our animals to the highest standard does not change, so we are of course delighted that we can reopen next week. 

“We’re undoubtedly facing our toughest challenge in our nearly 50-year history. Since March we’ve lost more than £4million in revenue due to the pandemic and each month it costs us more than £220,000 just to care for our resident animals. We are a charity and our wider conservation work, both here in the UK and overseas also needs to continue. Many people and projects depend upon us. 

“The best way to support us is to come and visit us this winter. The zoo just isn’t the same without the buzz of families making memories together and we can’t wait to welcome everyone soon.”

Marwell is a conservation charity so simply by visiting us you will be giving something back this Christmas to ensure future generations can experience the joy of coming to the zoo and help our amazing projects to conserve habitats and species in the UK and around the world.

We’ve made a few changes at the zoo so please make sure you read our new Guest Guidance and full FAQs ahead of your visit so when you arrive, you can focus on having a great day out.