- The Zoo
- Education
- Conservation
Annual Zoo Membership at Marwell
Become a member of Marwell Wildlife and enjoy unlimited entry to the zoo plus a whole host of other benefits.
We have temporarily suspended all online membership sales and renewals.
You are still able to upgrade day tickets to annual membership on the day of your visit or within 14 days of your visit. You can renew your annual memberships at the membership cabin when you visit.
Please bear with the team who are experiencing unprecedented levels of correspondence at this time. We will respond to all your queries as soon as possible. If you have recently ordered a membership, it is taking the team up to four days to process these, they will be in touch by email with your membership numbers.
Buy & Renew
Enjoy these benefits when you receive an annual zoo membership:
- Unlimited Entry to Marwell Zoo all year!
- Entry to a wide range of other zoos: Bristol, Chester, Colchester, Edinburgh, Highland Wildlife Park, Paignton , Newquay, Twycross and Rotterdam. *One entry per year subject to their terms and conditions and a valid membership card. (Currently suspended and will be reviewed in September)
- 10% discount off the published admission price for up to six Friends & Family. Currently suspended and will be reviewed in September).
- Discounts in our shop and cafes.
- Fast track entry: With an annual zoo membership you can avoid queues by using the Member's gate during busy times of the year.
- Wild Explorers Club: Annual zoo membership gives you access to the Wild Explorer club for junior members; including club meetings, a badge and lanyard pack full of information.
- More time in the park: Members entry is up to one hour before zoo closing. (Currently suspended and will be reviewed in September).
- We give our members exclusive early morning access on selected dates from 9am!
- All benefits subject to change
Annual Zoo Membership prices
Annual zoo membership offers fantastic value for all ages - and don't forget that children under three always enter Marwell for free.
| Membership Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult Membership Aged 17 - 59 years |
£64.00 |
| Child Membership Aged 3 - 16 years inclusive |
£44.00 |
| Infant Aged 2 and under |
Free |
| Concession Senior 60+ or Student with valid Student Card. |
£54.00 |
| Get Membership Online | |
Note: Disabled members will be offered a free carer each visit, provided proof of disability is shown when purchasing or renewing membership.
How to Join (or buy a Gift Membership)
Joining us as an annual member is simple. You can buy online (for you or as a gift) today, email us or call our team on 01962 777960.
If you have visited in the last two weeks and would like to upgrade day tickets to annual zoo membership, please contact the membership team.
Get
Membership Online
Buy or renew Membership online now and visit Marwell today (with your confirmation email).
Questions?
Contact our team by Email or call 01962 777960.
Christmas at Marwell
We attended the 'Christmas at Marwell' event with our children and grandchildren. Beautifully decorated and with a bunch of Elves, Alice, the 'Big Guy' himself and a other helpers, it was a great event, enjoyed by people of all ages. The story about Alice was beautifully read out and performed !… Read full reviewCharles, 9th December 2019
Wild Explorers
Become a “Wild Explorer” 
Each junior member is invited to collect a welcome pack from the membership cabin, chock full of trails; animal facts; activities and games. Alongside this, there’s a flashy new “I’m a Wild Explorer” pin badge, celebrating their membership of the club. Continue junior membership and there will be a shiny new badge to add to their collection every year!
Pick up your pack from the membership cabin now!
2020 Wild Explorer Club dates for the diary
All club meetings are currently postponed until further notice. Have a look at our free resources, for things to keep you busy at home.
Big or small, here at Marwell we love animals of all sizes! In the giraffe house, there will be giraffe themed activities where you can find out about our new project to build and display a full giraffe skeleton, providing a unique learning opportunity here at the zoo. Elsewhere around the zoo we’ll be heading to the other end of the scale, thinking ‘Small but Mighty’ as we appreciate the smaller things in life. Join us to discover more about some of Marwell’s small animals, look for mini-beasts, make wildflower seed bombs to take home, or take part in other activities (some bookable, some drop-in) where we'll be thinking about the big differences small things can make.
Find us at base camp (near the membership cabin) on the day for a full itinerary
- Sunday 17 May - Rhino Rangers (9-12 years) - sessions at 10:30 and 2.45pm
- Sunday 21June - Zebra Scouts (4-8 years) - sessions at 10:30 and 2pm
- Sunday 19 July - Rhino Rangers (9-12 years) - sessions at 10:30 and 2pm
- Sunday 20 September - Family day for all our Wild Explorers and their families
- Sunday 18 October - Zebra Scouts (4-8 years) - sessions at 10:30 and 2pm
- Sunday 15 November - Rhino Rangers (9-12 years) - sessions at 10:30 and 13:30
- Sunday 13 December – Festive fun for both our Zebra Scouts and Rhino Rangers - Sessions at 10:30 and 2pm
Zebra Scout and Rhino Ranger Wild Explorer Club sessions are for children who want to have fun learning about the natural world! You will usually be based in the Science and Learning Centre but bring along your outdoor gear as most sessions include time outside in the zoo, or surrounding woodland. Activities range from crafting, making animal habitats and playing animal games, to fundraising. Session topics vary but to give you some examples, in 2019 we looked at rainforests, native sand lizards, modern dinosaurs, insects, pond dipping, animal superpowers, local wildlife, and food! On Family Days you can even bring along the rest of the family too so everyone can get involved in the fun - watch this space for more information!
How to book
Bookings open on the day of the previous session of your age group. Bookings must be made by 10am on the Friday before each meeting, but these sessions are extremely popular, so book early to avoid disappointment.
All you need to do is email membership@marwell.org.uk with your child’s name, age, annual zoo membership number and which session they would like to take part in. Let the team know if you are new to the club or if you have been before. Read all the information below and be sure to tell us of any special requirements.
These events are popular so we’d really appreciate it if you could let us know (in advance) via membership@marwell.org.uk if your child is unable to attend so that we can re-assign their space.
Members Corner
Opening News
We’re delighted to finally reopen our gates on Monday 29 June. To say a huge thank you to our members for their unwavering support, the first four days will be exclusively for members only ahead of our general opening on Friday 3 July. Your visit will feel a bit different to what you’re used to as we’ve been busy making some changes to keep our guests, colleagues and animals safe. We’ve put together this guest guidance and more detailed FAQ's for you to become familiar with before your visit so when you arrive at the zoo, you can focus on having a great day out!
For all the information about our reopening plans, guidance and FAQ's please click here. For specific members FAQ's click here.
To all our valued members and supporters
As you cannot visit us at the moment we have suspended all annual memberships as of Monday 16 March 2020. Once we reopen the zoo, any lost time you had left will be added to your memberships. If your membership expires while we are closed we will extend it by the remaining amount after the closure date. You do not need to contact us to make this happen, we will automatically administer this.
As you are aware, we are a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity, and we are always humbled by the support we receive from our members. If you would like to donate this “time” to the zoo, instead of an extension, we would be extremely grateful and it will support the ongoing care of our animals. Please do let us know by email membership@marwell.org.uk.
We look forward to welcoming you again soon and in the meantime, please keep an eye on our social media and website where we will be updating you.
Kind regards
Membership and fundraising team
Help us during this difficult time
As a charity, the zoo relies on day ticket, membership, retail and catering sales; things we are no longer receiving; in order to operate. Nevertheless, the care and welfare of our animals as our top priority and we continue to provide the daily care each and every animal needs by a team of dedicated keepers, vets, scientists, maintenance workers and landscapers.
You can help us through these difficult times. Your generosity will ensure we can go the extra mile caring for our animals. For more info and to donate, click here.
Christmas at Marwell (Updated 7 April 2020)
Our annual Christmas at Marwell event is hugely popular with many of our guests and members. However, the planning of the event takes a full year, with all of our major contracts and orders normally being placed now.
Sadly, given our current closure and with our reduced staffing focussed on the welfare of our animals, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Christmas at Marwell event. We will still, of course, want to mark the festive season and our Events team will be working on a smaller scale alternative for this Christmas, once the zoo re-opens. Please keep an eye on this page and social media channels for updates in the autumn.
Marwell Bites
Browse the latest edition of Marwell Bites, our in-house magazine.
Terms and FAQs
Here we have answered the common questions about our Annual Zoo Membership - both before and after you've joined.
At what age does my child need a membership?
Children are allowed free entry into the zoo until they are three years old and as such they do not need a membership until this date. We do not register or record their details until they reach the age of three.
Can friends and family members use my card to enter the zoo?
Unfortunately not. Memberships are sold on an individual basis and display your name and photograph. They are non-transferable and cannot be used by other individuals.
Can I purchase a membership as a gift?
Yes, a membership can be purchased on behalf of someone else. We will require the member’s full name, date of birth and a full address including postcode. This can be processed over the telephone on 01962 777960, in person at the Membership Cabin or online.
You will receive a gift pack with gift card for you to sign before gifting the membership. There will be letters for each member which they will need to bring with them on their first visit to the zoo. We will take their photo at the membership cabin and produce their membership card there and then.
Please note that the membership will start from the day of purchase, or agreed start date, not the date the photograph is taken.
Do I have to have my photograph on my membership card?
Yes, all members will have a photograph on their membership card. The photograph will be taken at the Membership Cabin on the member’s first visit and will avoid your card being used in error by another individual.
How long does the membership pack take to be delivered?
You should allow up to 2 weeks for your membership welcome pack to arrive in the post. You can start using your membership straight away if you purchase it online as you will be sent a temporary pass via email. You may prefer to take out membership on the day of your visit.
I have accessibility needs, do I get a discount on membership if I need a carer?
Members with accessibility needs who require a carer can have an 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.
The confirmation required is sight of a letter from a GP confirming disability, a letter confirming receipt of DLA/PIP or the standard blue badge for vehicles which depicts the disabled person’s name and identification. You can still take out membership via the internet or over the telephone on 01962 777960 but the “with carer” element will not be added to the membership card until proof has been seen at the Membership Office. You are only required to provide this proof once a year upon taking out or renewing your membership.
I have purchased a membership online, what do I do next?
If you have joined online you will receive a confirmation email with a temporary pass included. This temporary pass can be used for your first visit to the zoo, where we will take your photo and produce your membership card at the membership cabin.
If I come into the zoo today, can I take out a membership when I arrive?
Yes. All you need to do is purchase a membership at admissions then pop in the Membership Cabin where we’ll take your photo, capture your details and process the membership there and then. You’ll be able to enter the zoo with your membership cards on the day of purchase.
My child has reached the age of three and I am part way through my membership, what should I do?
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. If you wish to join your child as a junior member when they turn three, they can be added on a pro rata basis at a pro rata price to bring their membership expiry date in line with your own.
What date does a membership start from?
Membership will start on the day of purchase. Please call us on 01962 777960 if you would like to specify a start date. Membership is valid for one year.
Wild Explorers' Club
Don't forget if you're a junior annual member to attend our FREE Wild Explorers' club in the Science & Learning centre in the zoo for fun, informative sessions around wildlife and conservation. The sessions book up very quickly so be sure to book well in advance!
What if I have already paid for day entry and decide to become a member?
Just pop in and see us on your way out with your admission receipt and we will deduct your admission (excluding donation) off the membership price on a like for like basis. This can be done within 14 days of your visit by either returning the receipt to the Membership Cabin in person or with an application form by post. The receipt must be produced at the point of membership purchase as it cannot be refunded once membership has been taken out.
What should I do if I lose my card?
Please ensure you bring with you proof of address such as a drivers licence. Don’t worry, it’s only £2.50 for a replacement. Please call the membership team in order to replace your membership card.
When will I know that my membership is due to expire?
About a month before your membership is due to expire we will post out a renewal notice with different payment options for you to choose from. If we have your correct email address, you may receive notification via email.