Venue Description

Get closer to nature at Marwell Zoo! The beautiful 140-acre outdoor attraction is home to hundreds of exotic and endangered species. Marwell Wildlife is a conservation charity established in 1972 which owns and operates Marwell Zoo. The organisation has been given the royal seal of approval for their environmental commitments with a coveted award; The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development. Step into paradise at the ‘Energy for Life’ Tropical House. This innovative and sustainable exhibit shows off a stunning environment where summer is eternal, and colourful birds are free to fly overhead. Did you know? This building is sustainably powered by zoo poo! Get up close to the wallabies as you wander through wallaby walkthrough and listen to the natural sounds of the park – you may even catch them having their dinner! Explore Marwell’s charming formal garden behind the historic Marwell Hall and stop for a picnic on the back lawn. There are multiple catering outlets across the zoo open for meals, light bites and snacks – all freshly prepared with locally sourced ingredients and available for take away. Go wild in their many adventure playgrounds! The bespoke okapi playground was designed to be inclusive and provides accessible equipment, so all children can safely play. Pop into the gift shop for fun, ethically sources gifts suitable for all ages! It’s a must-see final stop before you leave. You can even get them delivered straight to your door by giving our team a call. All 5 toilet blocks have an accessible cubicle, there is also a changing places toilet facility, radar key available – just ask a member of staff. Marwell supports the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative which promotes the wearing of a sunflower themed lanyard, badge or ribbon as a discreet sign of a hidden disability. Upgrade your day ticket to an annual membership whilst at the park and enjoy unlimited entry to the zoo for one year, plus even more exclusive perks. Download Marwell Zoo’s app to make the most out of your visit. Get up-to-date information such as opening times, feeds, exclusive offers, a detailed park map and more! Keep an eye out for new arrivals around the zoo throughout the year! Marwell Zoo is open daily from 10am, 363 days a year. Closing times and admissions prices vary. Please check the Marwell website for full ticket prices and other details. By visiting you’ll be contributing towards their incredible projects to conserve species and habitats, both in Hampshire and around the world. By choosing to donate and Gift Aid your tickets when purchasing, you’ll be supporting the zoo even further!

Accessibility

Marwell Zoo covers 140 acres of countryside and your visit can be as relaxed or active as you would like. You should allow at least 5 hours to tour around the park at your own leisure to ensure you get to see everything you hope to. The park is located on relatively hilly land and varies with steep and gradual approaches. Marwell Zoo is a member of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme. We provide a wheelchair hire service, disabled accessible toilets, changing places facility, hearing loops and we welcome assistance dogs.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.marwell.org.uk/zoo/plan/guests-with-disabilities

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://www.accessibilityguides.org/content/marwell-zoo

Awards List

2015 – Marwell Zoo is the first zoo to become Makaton Friendly and now has an M on the Makaton map. 2016 - Approved Family Friendly Attraction, Gold 2017 - Trip Advisor certificate of excellence 2018 - Trip Advisor certificate of excellence

Toilets

There are 5 locations for public toilets. An additional disabled toilet is available in our main shop on request. We are the UK’s first zoo and Hampshire’s first ever visitor attraction to open a ‘Changing Places’ toilet. This is located at the snow leopard toilets and is accessible with a radar key. There is an accessible toilet at each location, with wider doors. At the Cafe Graze disabled toilet there is a cord to pull which raises an alarm in the event of an emergency. Most entries to the public toilets are on level ground with no steps but some are on gravel.

Staff

Over 150 staff have received ‘Exceeding Visitor Expectations’ training course delivered by Tourism South East. On top of 10 staff (so far) trained to “Welcome All”, we offer an internal guest service programme highlighting the importance to ‘go the extra mile’. We're the first UK zoo to become Makaton friendly providing a suitable and enjoyable experience for all guests. We offer a wheelchairs and disabled access to the free road train with “very helpful drivers”. Our road trains are equipped to carry one standard manual sized wheelchair.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

At the far end of our main car park is a clearly signposted free to access woodland walk where dogs may be exercised off lead, however the natural woodland pathways are not recommended for wheelchair users.

Other assistance dog facilities

Water bowls can be provided on request at Café Graze. On arrival guests with assistance dogs are provided with a map showing the areas where regrettably dogs are not permitted due to the sensitive nature of our animals. We ask dogs remain uniformed and under control, on their harness or lead at all times. No official toileting area is available however, guests may clean up after their dog anywhere, should this be necessary additionally notifying a member of staff so that we can ensure the area is thoroughly cleaned.