Annual Zoo Membership at Marwell

Our top tier of membership includes early access to selected new exhibits, Friends & Family discount days and more…

Premium members enjoy these exclusive benefits:

• Sneak peek of selected events / new exhibits
• Friends & Family discount days: on selected dates across the year, bring up to 4 guests with you and receive a 50% discount on their admission tickets.
• Premium members after hours event
• Cuddly toy (child members only)

Plus all of our Explorer membership perks:

• Enjoy unlimited entry to Marwell Zoo for one year*
• No need to pre-book before you visit – just turn up.
• Free entry to selected UK charitable zoos**: One free entry per year to each of the following zoos: Africa Alive Zoological Reserve, Banham Zoological Gardens, Bristol Zoo Project, Chester, Colchester, Edinburgh, Hertfordshire, Highland Wildlife Park, Newquay, Paignton and Twycross.
• 10% discount in our gift shop and zoo catering outlets.
• Exclusive invites to member events, including talks by our dedicated animal keepers and conservationists and storytime sessions.
• Discount & priority booking for Glow Marwell, our magical winter lights trail.
• Car sticker to show your support for Marwell Wildlife
• Sign up by annual Direct Debit to receive a 5% discount (not available online, please contact us on membership@marwell.org.uk. Please note your Direct Debit must be set up one month in advance of your membership start date).

Note: If you require a free carer when you visit, please provide proof of accessibility needs when purchasing or renewing membership.

*Exclusions apply. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and for some special events. Marwell reserve the right to amend our opening days and hours at any time. Please check our T&Cs.

**One entry per year subject to their terms and conditions. Please show a valid membership card and your welcome letter. If you misplace your letter, please contact membership@marwell.org.uk.

Enjoy unlimited entry to Marwell Zoo with our Annual Pass.

Our Annual Pass membership offers annual entry to Marwell Zoo, plus one entry per year to a range of other zoos.

• Enjoy unlimited entry to Marwell Zoo for one year*
• No need to pre-book before you visit – just turn up.
• Free entry to selected UK charitable zoos**: One free entry per year to each of the following zoos: Africa Alive Zoological Reserve, Banham Zoological Gardens, Bristol Zoo Project, Chester, Colchester, Edinburgh, Hertfordshire, Highland Wildlife Park, Newquay, Paignton and Twycross.
• Car sticker to show your support for Marwell Wildlife
• Sign up by annual Direct Debit to receive a 5% discount (not available online, please contact us on membership@marwell.org.uk. Please note your Direct Debit must be set up one month in advance of your membership start date).

Note: If you require a free carer when you visit, please provide proof of accessibility needs when purchasing or renewing membership.

*Exclusions apply. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and for some special events. Marwell reserve the right to amend our opening days and hours at any time. Please check our T&Cs.

**One entry per year subject to their terms and conditions. Please show a valid membership card and your welcome letter. If you misplace your letter, please contact membership@marwell.org.uk.

Explorer and Premium members can enjoy a range of exclusive member events.

On the old Marwell membership scheme? These events are open to our Explorer and/or Premium members only. If you’d like to come along, please pop into our Membership Cabin to upgrade your membership on a pro-rata basis.

Premium Members – Extinction VIP Preview

Thursday 17 July 2025, 5.30pm – 9pm

Premium members only

Get in before the crowds and discover our summer brick event, Extinction, in this special VIP Preview evening.

Come face-to-fang with life-sized legends of the past as you explore this world-exclusive collection of awe-inspiring sculptures crafted from over two million toy bricks.

Your VIP evening also includes these extra special activities:

• Go wild with free face painting (suitable for children over 3)
• Meet the makers: chat with the master builders behind the creations
• Enjoy a complimentary Italian-style buffet
• Visit Extinction Basecamp to help build a sabre-toothed tiger and make your own brick masterpiece (additional charge applies)

Entry is free for Premium members. To book your place, please call our membership team on 01962 777960 by Tuesday 15 July.

Please note animal houses will be closed during this exclusive evening event.

Conservation Talk – De-extinction with Tania Gilbert, Head of Conservation Science

Saturday 2 August 2025, 11am

Explorer & Premium Members

Many of us are aware that the world is facing a massive extinction crisis with dozens of species going extinct every day, but did you know that the dire wolf was recently bought back to life after being extinct for over 10,000 years? Or was it?

Join our Head of Conservation Science for a fun-filled talk where we explore the possibility of de-extincting mammoths, dodos, and even The King (T-rex – not Elvis) and vote on whether dire wolves really are back.

We will leave you with a question: are modern genetic techniques a gift for reversing the extinction crisis or a distraction from targeted conservation action on the ground?

Open to Premium & Explorer members – stay tuned for details of how to book.

Premium Members – Extinction Late After Hours

Wednesday 6 August 2025, 6pm – 9pm

Premium members only

Join us on the evening of Wednesday 6 August to explore our summer event Extinction after hours – with a range of extra theatrical entertainment!

• Meet Tiny the Triceratops! At 2.5 metres high, kids and grown-ups alike will love meeting this ‘real life’ Triceratops.
• Join our costumed palaeontologist to hear tales of times past and discover more about the lost species of Extinction.
• Visit Extinction Basecamp to help build a sabre-toothed tiger (additional charge applies)
• Explore the zoo too! Our animal houses will be open until 8pm (please note Wallaby Walkthrough, Life Among the Trees and okapi house will be closed)

Entry is free for Premium members. To book your place, please call our membership team on 01962 777960 by Monday 4 August.

Premium Friends & Family Day

Sun 5 October 2025

Premium members only

Bring your friends and family for less! On our Friends & Family Days, Premium members can bring up to 4 guests for half price. Members must accompany their guests and show a valid Premium membership card on entry to receive the discounted rate. Guest tickets should be purchased from the gift shop on the date of visit – this offer is not available online.

Glow Marwell

Christmas 2025

Explorer & Premium members

We’re giving our Explorer and Premium members discounted Glow Marwell tickets and access to an exclusive pre-sale before tickets go on general sale.

What date does a membership start from?

Your membership will start from the date of purchase. You will receive instant email confirmation when purchased online.  Please bring your membership numbers on your first visit to show on the admissions gate. You are then able to collect your membership cards from the Membership Cabin.

How do I upgrade my day visit ticket to annual membership?

Just pop in and see us on your way out with your admissions receipt/booking reference and we will deduct your admission (excluding donation) from the membership price. This can also be done later, within 14 days of your visit, by contacting the membership team on membership@marwell.org.uk or 01962 777960 with your booking reference number.

Please note, we are unable to upgrade complimentary entry tickets, staff tickets, adoption tickets, school tickets (including home education), gift tickets or any special event tickets. We’re also unable to upgrade tickets that have been purchased through third parties and not directly purchased via Marwell Zoo.

Can I purchase membership as a gift or for someone else?

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.

We regret that gift memberships can’t currently be purchased online (but we’re working on it!).

We will require the member’s full name and address, including postcode. Please note it is the purchaser’s responsibility to ensure that the recipient receives all the relevant information for their membership.

On their first visit, members will need to visit the Membership Cabin where we will take their photo and produce their membership card there and then. Please note that the membership will start from the day of purchase, not the date the photograph is taken.

Can I Gift Aid my membership?

Yes please! We would love your support through Gift Aid. You can Gift Aid your membership if it’s for you and your children. However, memberships purchased as gifts are not eligible for Gift Aid.

I have accessibility needs; do I receive a discount if I need a carer?

Members with accessibility needs can add one unnamed carer 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.

As proof, we will accept Compass cards, i-go cards, letters from Disability Support Services, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) letters, access cards, yellow cards, Disabled Identification (DID) card, appropriate Travel / Leisure Cards, and blue badges (please take a photo of your badge as the badge must be displayed in your vehicle). Gateway cards will be accepted as long as the original email and digital card is shown.

We will require you to show your proof at the Membership Cabin on your first visit, at which point the ‘with carer’ element will be added to your membership card. You are only required to provide this proof once a year upon taking out or renewing your membership.

Can I pay by Direct Debit?

Yes! Annual Direct Debit payments are available and you’ll even receive a 5% discount per membership if you choose to pay by Direct Debit. Please contact us on membership@marwell.org.uk for information on how to purchase your membership via Direct Debit. Please note your Direct Debit must be set up one month in advance of your membership start date.

As a member, do I need to pre-book my visit to the zoo online?

Members are not required to book online to visit Marwell Zoo (except on special event days). You can just turn up and show your valid membership card at admissions!

The last entry for annual members is 60 minutes before we close. We recommend that guests wishing to visit with you as a day ticket holder book in advance via our website and bring their booking reference with them so we can process those tickets. Alternatively, they can purchase tickets on the gate, subject to availability.

Can friends and family members use my card to enter the zoo?

No. Memberships are sold on an individual basis and display your name and photograph. They are non-transferable and cannot be used by other individuals.

Do I need to have my photograph on my membership card?

Yes, all members need a photograph on their membership card. The photograph will be taken at the Membership Cabin on your first visit and will avoid your card being used in error by another individual.

Do I need to show my membership card every time I visit?

Yes, you need to show your membership card to gain entry to the zoo and to receive the member discounts in our catering outlets and gift shops.

You can either show your physical membership card, or present your digital membership card via the Marwell Zoo app.

Do you have a digital membership card?

Yes! The digital card is a handy alternative if you forget your physical card. You can upload your membership to the ‘My Visit’ section of the Marwell Zoo app and present the digital card to gain entry to the zoo and gain discounts in the gift shop and catering outlets.

Please note that the digital card can only be used on site at Marwell Zoo. It cannot be used for visits to other zoos on the Marwell reciprocal visit list.

What should I do if I lose my card?

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.

When will I know that my membership is due to expire?

At least a month before your membership is due to expire, we will email a renewal notice with different payment options for you to choose from. Please make sure we have a valid email for you on your file.

At what age does my child need a membership?

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.

How will I find out about special events and exclusive discounts?

Explorer and Premium members who opt into our marketing communications will receive updates on special events, discounts, and offers through our monthly newsletter. The member events are also listed on the Member events tab of this webpage.

How else can I support Marwell?

Please donate here to help us cover basic animal care costs such as feed and bedding. Purchasing through our Amazon Wish List is a great alternative to making a donation. This way, you can ensure your favourite animals benefit from your gift.

You can also renew as a Marwell member or buy membership as a gift, adopt an amazing animal or even start your own fundraising activity. Every penny adds up and so does our gratitude, so thank you for your loyal support – Marwell simply couldn’t do what we do without you.

View our membership terms and conditions.