A Perfect Saturday: Family Day Out at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Looking for a fun way to spend a Saturday? Why not get a little wild and visit the zoo! We chose ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, one of the largest in the UK, with its sprawling 600 acres and over 3,600 animals. It was our first time visiting an English zoo and I was thrilled to spot some unique birds that I’d only dreamed of seeing. Can you guess which species?
Our decision to visit the zoo came naturally. Albert was learning about African animals at school and we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to bring his lessons to life. The timing was spot on—beautiful weather and a free Saturday!
Even though ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is known for its size, we opted to park the car outside and explore it on foot. After purchasing our tickets online, we grabbed a map at the entrance and began our adventure.
We saw sea lions, penguins, bears, lions, tigers, zebras, rhinos and so much more. My personal favorite? The giraffes! They were utterly adorable. We even got to step inside their stable and one of them wandered in for a snack. Watching a giraffe eat up close was such a unique experience.
We were eager to visit the chimpanzees, but access was restricted, so we could only catch a glimpse of them from afar. However, I was thrilled to see their incredible jungle gym, which looked like a chimpanzee’s dream playground.
Given the zoo’s immense size, we took the train to explore the animals in the Asia section. Afterward, we wandered to the flamingos, which was an unexpected delight. I wasn’t even aware they had flamingos until my husband led us to them. Seeing them was love at first sight—they were stunning! Interestingly, their color wasn’t the bright pink I’d imagined but rather a beautiful mix of red and orange.
Before heading to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, I recommend checking their website at www.zsl.org. They host a variety of daily events, workshops and activities that make the visit even more memorable. Here are some experiences offered by the zoo:
- Meet the monkeys experience
- The giraffe keeper experience
- Friendly spider programme: overcome your fear of spiders
- London zoo lodges: camping overnight
- Yoga at penguin beach
If you’re planning a trip, consider driving inside the zoo. It may sound unusual, but with so much ground to cover, driving can save a lot of time. In our three-hour visit, we couldn’t manage to see everything.
There are restaurants, a picnic shop and if you visit during summer, take a backpack for the water bottles.
Next time, we will plan our day to make the most of the events and attractions. My little one wants to visit the playground and see the alligators, while I want to explore the Butterfly House.
Our visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo was unforgettable and we can’t wait to return. It’s a fantastic day out for families and animal lovers alike. Have you visited ZSL Whipsnade Zoo recently? What was your favorite part of the visit? Leave a comment below and share your experience.
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Love,
Alexandra