This attraction has its own car park

This car park has dedicated disabled parking

• You may park in the free external car park with designated Accessible parking bays and push around the Zoo
• You may drive into the Zoo and park in specified areas around the Zoo (if you have a blue badge, essential car entry is free of charge). 

There is an underpass that gets visitors from the external free car park to the entrance to the Zoo. This is ramped but is a steep ramp out of the underpass.

There is level ramp access to the following areas:

• All Animal indoor houses including Butterfly House and Aquarium
• Base Camp Restaurant and Viewpoint Kitchen and Deli
• Birds of the World Arena to view the displays
• Hullabazoo indoor and outdoor play areas
• Hullabazoo Farm
• First Aid Point (next to the Visitor Centre)
• The steam train (Please note, two wheelchairs can be accommodated on the train per trip – due to Covid restrictions, the train is not running at the moment, please check before you visit if it is running to avoid disappointment)
• Owl Wood – Access may cause wheelchair users some difficulty, as it is covered by bark chippings in order to subdue the noise.
• Events marquee

Some substrates and paths around the Zoo can be difficult to manage in a wheelchair or if you have mobility issues. The key areas to note are: 

Subway between external car park and entrance to the Zoo (please use your blue badge pass to gain car entry to the Zoo if needed)

Elephant car park – this is a loose substrate area and can be very bumpy

Elephant access from Indian Rhinos – this is a grassy path which during winter months can be prone to flooding. 

Path from Base Camp to flamingos – this is a steep path if you are going up towards flamingos. 

Owl wood – bark chip is down to minimise the noise for these animals that are sensitive to noise. Because of this, pushing on this substrate may be more difficult. 

This zoo has some manual wheelchairs available for hire a deposit of £25 is required which will be refunded on return of the wheelchair at the end of your visit.

Wheelchair accessible toilets can be found at: 

• Main entrance (RADAR key access; RADAR key available in shop if required)
• Lawn area before Butterfly House/Aquarium 
• Tigers/Base Camp
• Reindeer/Viewpoint Kitchen and Deli
• Hippos/Africa Outpost

All of the above locations feature the following:

• Wash basin
• Handrails to the side of the toilet and the wash basin
• Disposal Facilities
• Transfer space to the side of the toilet
• Emergency Alarm

There is a changing place facility located at the entrance of the butterfly house and features the following:

• Hoist on a track,
• Height adjustable Bench
• Toilet and sink,
• Shower 
• Cleaning facilities
• Handrail beside toilet and sink
• Disposal facilities
• Privacy Screen

This zoo has an accessible play area located at the Hullabazoo Adventure Play and features the following area’s

• Ramped sand play access
• Ramp bridge
• Water pump at height
• Accessible slide
• Flat accessible roundabout
• Sound play
• Wide carousel swing
• Quiet areas

ZSL Whipsnade offers a visual story to prepare for your trip prior to arriving. See the PDF Below.

ZSL Whipsnade offers a penguin hopper pass to those who find it difficult to queue due to medical reasons.

Download the pass using the button below, passes are also available from the admissions team these must be returned to the Zoo shop at the end of your visit.

Show your Penguin Pass to the team at admissions, retail or catering outlets and the walk-through exhibits. The staff & volunteers will do their best to reduce your queueing time.

Whipsnade Zoo is over 600 acres of space, the UK’s largest Zoo. They have many areas that are grass and large open areas as well as wooded areas. The area up by penguins is vast and can be very quiet, families are able to rest, picnic and explore these areas. 

Areas along the downs, opposite the White Rhinos enclosure are also quiet and spacious. 

If you need any support during the day, please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff (in green or blue uniforms) or a volunteer (in red uniform)

ZSL Whipsnade runs early-opening on the last Sunday of each month* dates for people with additional needs.

The Zoo will open at 9am for people with accessible tickets (these are free of charge and will need to be booked separately to your entry ticket).

From 9am – 10am visitors with Relaxed Opening accessibility tickets will be able to access the Zoo but the retail and catering outlets will be open from 10am.

ZSL Whipsnade offers discounted concession to disabled guests and 1 free carer with one of the following evidence:

• DLA/PIP Paperwork dated within 12 months ( with photo ID )
• Dr’s letter stating your disability dated within 12 months ( with Photo ID)
• Blue Badge

Universal Credit Ticket

ZSL Whipsnade offer a discounted ticket for families on universal credit at the cost of £3 per person ( max 6 people ) you must present your benefit award letter to a member of the admission staff on arrival, these tickets can only be purchased online in advance.