FAQs
Important visit information
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…A fantastic day out!
We encourage you to imagine Marwell Zoo as a walking safari. With 140 acres of beautiful parkland to explore, you will need to allow plenty of time for your visit.
Stroll around with a patient and watchful eye. If animals are not immediately visible, they could be resting in their den or under a shady tree so make time to pop back later. It will be worth the wait.
By visiting, you’re supporting our conservation work around the world – thank you!
Children up to and including the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available to hire from the Gift Shop. Phone ahead on 01962777407 at least 1 day before your visit if you’d like us to reserve one for you. A small deposit is required.
More detail is available in our access statement. Did you know we’re the first ‘Makaton Friendly’ zoo? Find out more on our education page.
Mobility scooters are available to hire for £20 for the duration of your visit.*
Mobility scooters must be pre-booked at least 24 hours in advance. Please call 01962 777407 or email reception@marwell.org.uk if you’d like us to reserve one for you. Our team will send you an email with a link to our safety training video, which must be viewed as a condition of hire.
See more details on our accessibility page.
*Subject to availability. Card payment only.
Our single and double strollers are available for guests to hire for £8 (single) and £12 (double) for the duration of your visit.*
Strollers must be pre-booked at least 24 hours in advance. Please call 01962 777407 or email reception@marwell.org.uk if you’d like us to reserve one for you.
See more details on our accessibility page.
*Subject to availability. Card payment only.
Guests are more than welcome to bring their own food and drink. We have many picnic areas and plenty of seating. Please note: Picnics are not to be consumed in Cafe Graze or Coffee Corner.
Top Tips to enjoy your picnic
- Avoid attracting uninvited wasps by sitting in the shade and keeping food covered while you eat.
- Feed only yourselves – feeding birds can also attract pests.
- Once finished, please recycle and dispose of your rubbish thoughtfully.
Bon appétit!
Don’t forget we have a number of options for food and drink at the zoo – enough to satisfy all appetites!
Dogs and all other animals are not permitted in the park or to be left in cars. When we find pets in cars we contact the police. Scenterbarks is a local dog daycare centre in Otterbourne (10 mins away) from 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday.
Assistance dogs are welcome, however access is restricted in a few areas due to the sensitive nature of our animals. Please check our Accessibility page for more information. Please note we do not accept assistance dogs and puppies in training.
Sorry, scooters, roller skates, shoes with wheels and similar push-alongs are not permitted in the park. Also see our Park Guidelines which has useful information for guests planning a visit.
Guests with accessibility needs are required to pay the standard rate but we will admit a carer for free. Download our Access Statement on our Top Tips page.
We will accept local authority card such as; Compass cards, i-go cards, access cards, yellow cards, as well as letters from Disability Support Services, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) letters, appropriate Travel / Leisure Cards, and blue badges (although these should be left in your vehicle). Don’t worry if you do not have any of the above, please contact us ahead of your visit for advice.
Yes Marwell is open from 10am every day except Christmas and Boxing Day. Closing times vary throughout the year so please see our opening times page to check.
From time to time, we may alter our opening times or the days on which we close. We recommend checking our website and social media when planning your visit.
- A camera/smartphone for all those picture-perfect moments…
- Sun cream, sun hat (on hot days)
- Suitable shoes (there’s a lot of walking)
- Waterproofs, umbrella, welly boots (just in case…)
- Re-fillable water bottle to fill at one of our re-fill stations around the park
- Credit or debit card (we are card-only)*
*The only exception to this is the Penny Press situated at Fur, Feathers and Scales which requires £1 and 1p. Please bring change with you if you would like to create a pressed penny as a souvenir of your day. Our outlets or shop will not be able to break down larger denominations to create change.
Not local? There are plenty of great hotels near Marwell Zoo, in our picturesque county of Hampshire.
Search for hotels, BnBs, and other providers near our postcode SO21 1JH and you’ll find lots of great places to stay.
There is not an ATM at the zoo. Payments at the zoo are card only.
The only exception to this is the Penny Press situated at Fur, Feathers and Scales which requires £1 and 1p. Please bring change with you if you would like to create a pressed penny as a souvenir of your day. Our outlets or shop will not be able to break down larger denominations to create change.
Baby-changing facilities are available in all our toilet blocks, including Café Graze, where you’ll also find a microwave for heating up baby food.
Marwell Zoo is the UK’s first zoological park and Hampshire’s first ever visitor attraction to open a ‘Changing Places’ toilet facility. This is located opposite the Snow Leopard ice cream kiosk and is accessible with a Radar key.
‘Changing Places’ toilet facilities are different to standard disabled toilets, catering for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as other serious impairments such as spinal or brain injuries. They often need extra facilities to allow them to use toilets comfortably, and come equipped with extra features including adjustable changing benches and ceiling hoists plus enough room for at least two carers.
We regularly receive enquiries on where to find Marwell Zoo discounts, vouchers, promotions, offers, discounted tickets and voucher codes.
We are pleased to advise that we can guarantee the lowest price available for tickets when you book direct with us page to check.
If you’d like to leave your picnic hamper at home, we have a wide range of tasty snacks, sit down meals and refreshing drinks at various kiosks or our main restaurant, Café Graze. Visit our Food & Drink page for more information.
There is a service direct to Marwell Zoo which runs on Sundays throughout the year and this is the Winchester (Route 69)
There’s also a service to Fishers Pond but we do not recommend this route. Find out when they operate and how often they run on our Travel and directions page. We also recommend that you check the operators own web page for updated passenger/fare information.
We often run seasonal trails during the holidays such as Easter and Halloween. Download our free Marwell Zoo App to take part!
We also have a Tree Trail where you can learn all about our ancient trees.
Plus, take a look at our Threatened Species Trail. There are three versions available using signs located around the park. The trails are available to download from our education pages and aimed at school groups with Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and A-level students.
We welcome guests with accessibility needs together with their helpers and carers. View our Access Guide on our Guests with Accessibility Needs page for more information.
You can find maps dotted around the zoo to help find your way. Alternatively, download our free Marwell Zoo App with interactive map, or view the downloadable zoo map on our website.
Browse our animal directory for fascinating facts on most of the species we care for at the zoo. Here, you’ll also find a list of our newest births and arrivals!
Don’t worry if the weather forecast looks drizzly for the day you plan to visit!
We have plenty of covered areas across the zoo for you to take shelter in and by downloading our map you’ll be able to follow our wet weather route.
We are an outdoor attraction, so please dress appropriately for the weather. If you get caught out, we sell ponchos and umbrellas in the gift shop in case you need one too.
During your visit
We recommend that guests spend at least 4 or 5 hours in the park so you see everything you hope to. If you don’t see our animals in their exhibits they could be inside or resting quietly so please look carefully or pop back and see them later in the day.
If you’re not sure how to plan your day why not download our zoo map or check out our daily talks & feeds to plan your itinerary.
On our map you’ll find our wet weather route in case of rain. There are a number of places to take shelter at Marwell Zoo including Tropical World, the Semi-Aquatic Mammal house, Wild Explorers, Cold Blooded Corner and our giraffe house.
Download our free Marwell Zoo App and check the “events” tab to see what feeds we have on each day. We also run “Keeper in Action” sessions (indicated by an “Activitiy” in our app) where you can see our team carry out their duties and ask them some questions too.
These are often updated, so be sure to keep checking for any new additions. Alternatively, ask at our friendly Information Cabin (just inside the entrance).
During your visit there are plenty of signs around the zoo to learn more about the animals we have. Why not attend our daily talks or browse our animal directory for loads of facts about the animals we have here. Just to let you know – not all our animals are listed in this directory.
Make the most of your day and download our FREE Marwell Zoo app available from the App Store or Google Play Store for Apple and Android Phones. The app includes up-to-date information, fun animal facts and a park map to help you make your way round the zoo.
We have a range of monkeys in our collection, such as:
- Golden-headed lion tamarin and Golden Lion Tamarin
- Pygmy marmoset
- Siamang (gibbons)
- We have several species of new-world monkeys including silvery marmoset, White Faced Saki monkeys and cotton top tamarins (all found around the back lawn of Marwell Hall).
Marwell does not feature lions or elephants in its collection planning, they are a very specialised species to look after, our commitments lie with other species where our conservational expertise is better placed.
Check out our Animal Guide for a host of animals that we do have!
Explore both our Formal Garden and grounds.
For more about Marwell’s History – check our History of Marwell or History of Marwell Zoo downloads.
For first aid or emergency assistance please call 01962 770583, use one of our free emergency telephones located at the playgrounds or speak to a member of staff. Our mobile first aiders have a defibrillator (AED) and there’s also one in our gift shop, where we have a first aid room too.
Yes! We have WiFi hotspots in several locations around the park.
Additionally – we have good 3G/4G mobile reception for most mobile networks across the park.
We offer all sorts of refreshments to keep you going for the day at various outlets around the park. Our food and drink page has all the information you need including our most recent menu to download. Special dietary requirements are catered for too – please ask a member of our team when you arrive if you have any questions.
We stock a range of alcohol too at Cafe Graze – our main food outlet situated half way around the park if you go clockwise. We do ask for ID from anyone that appears under the age of 25.
We have five toilet blocks located around the park:
- Penguin toilets (located up the hill)
- Cafe Graze toilets (near the meerkats)
- Tiger toilets (near the tiger playground)
- Fur, Feathers & Scales toilets
- Snow Leopard toilets (including a ‘Changing Places’ toilet facility accessible with a Radar key).
Flask filling points
- Snow Leopards Ice Cream Parlour
- Okapi kiosk
Each of the outlets listed above display a large poster advertising them as ‘flask filling points’, to make it easy for flask users to identify them. We regret that we are not able to give flask owners priority over other guests, if queuing.
Can I still fill my flask at Café Graze?
At Café Graze, the self-service drinks machines will no longer be available for flask filling. If, as a flask owner, you wish to use your flask whilst purchasing a meal, we recommend that you fill it at one of the above outlets beforehand. Alternatively, you may of course purchase a drink with your meal.
Fair usage
We would also like to politely remind our loyal flask owners that flasks were sold for personal usage only. They should not be used as a ‘vessel’ for re-filling other drinks containers for friends and families. Our staff are monitoring frequency of re-fills to ensure that usage is appropriate.
We no longer sell refillable flasks as the offer has finished.
We are unable to refill flasks without the Marwell logo visible.
Marwell Zoo is a family attraction and we wish to ensure that all our guests are free to enjoy a great day out in comfort. As such we would prefer you not to smoke whilst on the site. However, if you do need to smoke, please follow the guidance below.
In line with UK legislation, smoking is completely prohibited in all indoor and covered spaces in the zoo.
Outside, you may smoke in the wider grounds except in specific areas of the park, where smoking may cause a nuisance to other guests. These areas include:
-
- Catering outlets and surrounding areas
- Playgrounds and surrounding areas
- Picnic areas
- Train stops
- Around or inside animal experiences and enclosures
- Other areas where guests may congregate, such as the admissions gates, outside the gift shop, animal presentations, etc
Whilst some of these areas will be signposted, we respectfully ask smokers to be sensitive to other guests and ensure, at all times, that their smoke does not create a nuisance for others nearby.
Ashtrays are provided on all new bins, currently being introduced and we kindly ask smokers to ensure that they are used for disposal of all waste.Please note that we treat ‘e-cigarettes’ in the same way as tobacco based products so the same rules and restrictions apply.
We’d love to see your photos on any of the following:
Our Flickr group is a particularly great way to share as we regularly check this for images to use in our own marketing & promotional materials. By submitting to the group, you agree to allow us to use the images with a credit.
All lost & found items are passed to our Reception team who record the details. Please see our Lost/Found Property information or download our Lost Property Registration Form.
Yes! In 2022, we released our brand new Marwell Zoo app, for Android and iOS, and this is a fun accompaniment to your day out at the zoo.
Enjoy an interactive park map, even more fun animal facts, animal feed times, day planner and more! Head over to the App Store or Google Play to download the Marwell Zoo App.
About your website
Thanks for asking. We work with the friendly team at Semantic.
If you have a comment on your visit to the zoo, please contact us via email: feedback@marwell.org.uk
Your feedback is really important to us and an automatic response acknowledging a guest’s feedback is sent. We read all feedback, but we are only able to respond in exceptional cases.
See our Feedback and Complaints policy.
Annual Membership
Absolutely! Please visit the Membership Cabin or call us on 01962 777960, where our team can help you purchase membership as a gift or for someone else. For full information please check our membership page.
Just pop in and see us on your way out with your admissions receipt/booking reference and we will deduct your admission (excluding donation) off the membership price. This can also be done later, within 14 days of your visit, by contacting the Membership Team or by telephoning 01962 777960 with your booking reference number.
We are unable to upgrade complimentary entry tickets, staff tickets, adoption tickets, school tickets (including home education) gift tickets or any special event tickets. Please note, we’re unable to upgrade tickets to membership that have been purchased through third parties and not directly purchased via Marwell Zoo.
Members with accessibility needs who require a carer can have one un-named carer added to their membership card for free. This will mean that any adult accompanying the member will be allowed access to the zoo free of charge as the member’s carer. For full information check our Membership FAQs.
Children must be paid for once they reach the age of three regardless of whether it’s a day entry ticket or an annual membership. Membership can be purchased online.
If you’d like to replace your physical membership card, please pop into the Membership Cabin on your next visit in order to replace it. Please ensure you bring with you proof of address such as a drivers license. Don’t worry, it’s only £2.50 for a replacement.
You can also show your digital membership card via the Marwell Zoo app. However, please note that the digital card can only be used on site at Marwell Zoo. You will need to show a physical membership card if you’d like to visit other zoos on the Marwell reciprocal visit list.
Education Visits
To check availability, book workshop sessions, self guided park visits, conference places and recce visits please click here.
Yes! We have a whole list in our handy downloadable pdf.
We offer self-guided visits and sessions for Home Educators.
Scouts and Guides
If you’re bringing a school, Scouts or Guides group then check out our Discovery Boxes – giant treasure chests filled with interactive activity ideas to help you find out more about some of the animals at our zoo.
About Marwell Wildlife
Yes! Marwell Wildlife is a registered charity, number 275433. Find out more about how to support us and our conservation work.
You can find our Annual Reports on our About Us page.
You can find our Environmental Policy on our about us page.
Yes we have two vets and a vet nurse at Marwell Wildlife, looking after the animals in our zoo. Find out a little more here.
We have a staff of around 60 zookeepers, vets and curators at Marwell Zoo to look after our animals.
If you are interested in keeper work experience please read this page carefully before contacting us.
Experience is always useful so if you’d like to get closer to some of our animals, take a look at our Animal experiences.
What does it feel like to work as part of the Marwell family?
Well, pretty unique! Our brand values of being warm, wise, welcoming and contemporary flow through everything we do and support our brand promise of connecting people with nature. Couple that with our genuine enthusiasm for wildlife conservation and you have an organisation which is making a positive and sustained impact on people’s lives.
If you feel that you have what it takes to join our mission then take a look at our vacancies page.
Supporting Marwell Wildlife
Marwell Zoo is a charity dedicated to protecting threatened wildlife under the endangered species act.We are very grateful for every donation and we appreciate your support!
You can support us by:
Alternatively, you could make a cheque payable to Marwell Wildlife and send it to:
Fundraising at Marwell Wildlife
Thompsons Lane
Colden Common
SO21 1JH
Marwell Wildlife has over 150 volunteers from all walks of life with a shared interest in conservation, wildlife and the environment who provide valuable support in helping us fulfill our charitable objectives.
Would you like the opportunity to inspire care for the natural world & share your passion for wildlife?
As well as general volunteering opportunities, we regularly look for the following specific opportunities:
- Education volunteers
- Guest Experience volunteers
- Keeper volunteers
- Corporate Engagement
Stay tuned to our Volunteers page for details.
Fundraising
As Marwell Wildlife is a charity we have to carefully monitor the amount of tickets we donate. We do our best to support our local communities, working on a first come first serve basis. To apply for 2 child tickets to be used as prizes for raffles and auctions please complete our online application form.
Zoo Events
We often have competitions running via our social media channels. Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for more info. We also run competitions on our website.
