Your summer 2024 guide to a wild day at Marwell Zoo
July 24, 2024
The sun is finally shining and we’re looking forward to an action-packed summer holiday at Marwell Zoo.
As well as visiting our rare and endangered animals, guests will have the opportunity to experience new culinary treats, find out about animal adaptations to diet in our science and learning building and learn about native wildlife around the park.
Don’t forget to dress for the weather, check inside our animal houses where there are signs inviting you in and if you can’t see something the first time you try come back later in the day.
If you get caught out and forget the sun cream, don’t forget The Gift Shop is well stocked with this and many other weather essentials including our popular and stylish rain ponchos.
Food glorious food – drop in sessions with our Education Team
All living things need food, and in the case of animals what that looks like can vary enormously depending on their species.
Join our Education Team in the zoo’s Science and Learning Centre every Wednesday and Friday from Wednesday 31 July to Friday 30 August to learn about animals adaptations to diet .
Find out about animals with more than one stomach, where the phrase chewing the cud came from and how animal’s teeth can help tell us what they eat.
Crafty critters!
Children over the age of three can get hands on with craft activities on Marwell Hall Drive between 11am and 3pm.
Sessions are running daily throughout the summer holidays and children will be able to design their own nature necklace.
There will be an additional charge of £2.50 per wood slice for this activity.
Face Painting
Become your favourite animal or choose your favourite design and add a splash of colour to your day with animal themed face painting at our Wild Explorers Picnic Lodge.
Face painting will be available from 11am to 3pm Monday to Thursday from July 29 to August 29.
Face painting is for children over the age of three and there will be a charge of £6 per face.
Great value for families
Our 5 for £85 family value tickets are available throughout the summer break making a visit to the zoo a must.
A family of five (two adults and up to three children or one adult and up to four children) can save more than £40 and the tickets can be upgraded to membership if you fall in love with the zoo while you’re here.
Make sure you dress for the weather and bring sun cream if it’s hot.
Culinary Delights
We’re throwing open the doors of Grade I listed Marwell Hall throughout August to serve our guests traditional afternoon tea.
Indulge in freshly prepared sandwiches, warm sausage rolls and elegantly filled wraps before tackling the age-old scone debate – will you spread strawberry jam or clotted cream first?
Handmade cakes and pastries on stands are accompanied by cafetiere coffee or a range of teas beautifully presented in teapots.
Tables dressed with crisp white cloths and elegantly folded napkins await in our charming tearoom with views across our Wild Explorers paddock.
Café Graze will continue to serve up all of your favourite hot and cold foods and Coffee Corner, located in our gift shop, will be on hand to supply that much needed first coffee of the day or iced bubble tea to be enjoyed in the sun!
We’ll also be dishing up hot pizza from 25 July by Okapi playground if you fancy trying something new while the kids run off some excess energy.
Get ‘appy
Don’t forget to download the free Marwell Zoo app for animal feeds, a site map, fascinating facts and much, much more.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Don’t forget The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be crawling his way through 1 apple, 2 pears, 3 plums, 4 strawberries and 5 oranges as guests weave their way around our The Very Hungry Caterpillar trail this summer too.
Join us in celebrating the nation’s best-loved children’s story from 24 July to 1 September as you explore our supersized interactive 3D installations.
Make it a real adventure
Don’t forget, if you travel by bus, you’ll get your zoo entry ticket for just £11 including a donation that helps us care for the animals you love.
The route is included in the Government funded National Bus Fare Cap Scheme meaning a single trip to the zoo will cost just £2!
Pack your bags, leave the car at home and climb on board for a truly wild summer adventure!
Our wonderful resident animals
Last but by no means least enjoy visiting our resident animals, from towering giraffe to our tiniest new ant arrivals who are just starting to make themselves at home in out Energy for Life: Tropical House.
