Opening times
Behind the scenes of the Bird garden tours : 1.30pm on selected Tuesdays, March-October
Heritage tours : 11am on selected Dates
Type of place
Habitat
Status
Open
Facilities
Wheelchair access is not available for this experience.
Additional costs
Additional costs may apply, advance booking is recommended!
Whipsnade Zoo Tours
At Whipsnade Zoo we have a number of different tours available to enhance your Zoo visit. Whether you are a bird fanatic or a history buff, there is something to suit all interests.
Behind the Scenes Tours: Bird Garden
A rare opportunity to visit our Bird garden and find out about the unique species we have in this area. Not open to general visitors you will get to see behind the scenes and discover the unique challenges of breeding some of the more unusual species, from one of our resident bird experts.
What to expect on the day of your behind the scenes tour of the bird garden
This 45 minute behind the scenes tour begins with a health and safety briefing from an expert keeper who will then take you behind the scenes of our Bird Garden. where you can find out about the unique species we have in this area and the care and attention that they receive and why they are in this special area.
There will be plenty of time to ask questions and view our birds, and with only a maximum of eight people taking part in the experience, you'll find out all the secrets that go into breeding some of the World's rarest species.
Prices
The Behind the Scenes tours are £20 per person.
ZSL Gold Members, Patrons and Fellows receive a 10% discount on this experience. Please enter your Primary CRM ID in the Offer Code box.
Important information to know
Important information to know before you book your behind the scenes of the bird garden tour
- Admission to the Zoo is not included and must be purchased separately or ZSL membership held.
- Participants must be aged 10 years or older.
- All participants must wear closed toe shoes and use an antiseptic foot dip before accessing the behind the scenes areas.
- Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult - the adult must have a valid tour ticket.
- Pregnant or nursing mothers who have given birth within the previous 6 months cannot participate.
- Wheelchair access is not available for this experience
- Those with disabilities can be accompanied by an essential carer to support them during the experience. Should you require an essential carer please add this information at check out.
- Please see our full terms and conditions for more information
To manage your booking please visit the See Tickets customer service portal.
Heritage Tours
Join us for one of three different 1.5 hour heritage tours at Whipsnade Zoo, each of which touch on different parts of our extensive and colourful history.
Put on your headset and follow the lead of one of our experienced presenter team who will take you back in time, to discover the secrets of Whipsnade from years gone by.
All our heritage tours start at the tour meeting point outside the visitor centre and each full priced ticket includes a voucher for a hot drink and a cake redeemable at our Visitor Centre, Basecamp Restaurant or Viewpoint Deli.
Prices
The Heritage Tours are £20 per person.
ZSL Gold Members, Patrons and Fellows receive a 10% discount on this experience. Please enter your Primary CRM ID in the Offer Code box.
The Whipsnade Story (1931 – 1945): Success, bombs and spies!
Discover the secrets of Whipsnade zoo's rich history from its early years to post war period. Led by our guides, uncover hidden stories within iconic landmarks, hear about how the zoo adapted during the second world war and how we are continuing to preserve the local landscape for the future.
Dates: Sunday 13th October
The Whipsnade Story (1950 – 1990s): Trailblazing, tea parties and train robberies!
Join us on a guided tour of Whipsnade's story and delve into the remarkable lives of the animals and people that been a part of it. Explore the heart of the zoo and immerse yourself in tales that showcase our ever-evolving approach to preserving our natural world.
Dates: Sunday 20th October
The Whipsnade story (1926 – 2024): Roses, Royalty, and a breeding revolution!
Step into a world where the past meets the present from the challenges of cheetahs to our conservation triumphs. Hear from our guides to gain a deeper understanding of the vital role Whipsnade plays in securing the future of species.
Dates: Saturday 12th October & Saturday 19th October
Important information to know
- Admission to the Zoo is not included and must be purchased separately or ZSL membership held.
- Participants must be over the age of 12.
- Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult - the adult must have a valid tour ticket.
- Participants must have a good level of mobility. This is a 90-minute walking tour covering uneven terrain.
- Wheelchair access is not available for this experience.
- All participants will be issued with a headset to wear during the tour to ensure they can hear our presenter effectively.
- Induction loops are available.
- These tours do not include behind the scenes access
- Those with disabilities can be accompanied by an for free by an essential carer to support them during the experience. Should you require an essential carer please add this information at check out. Please note the essential carer tickets do not include a hot drink and cake voucher.
- Please see our full terms and conditions for more information
To manage your booking please visit the See Tickets customer service portal.
Other Experiences
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Whipsnade Zoo Experiences
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