Your questions answered - our Zoos and social distancing

• Can I visit ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos?

Yes, our Zoos re-opened on 15 June. You can pre-book your ticket here.

Visitors will need to pre-book a timed slot (except Members, Fellows and Patrons visiting on weekdays outside of school holidays). Closing times vary by date: please check for London here and Whipsnade here. Last entry is one hour before closing time.

• Will the Zoos be very busy with lots of queues?

We have strictly limited the number of tickets on sale each day and split them into timed slots to spread visitors throughout the day. We will also be quickly scanning visitors on arrival to avoid big queues at the entrance and we have marked out areas where queues might occur to help everyone maintain 2m distance from one another. 
We have also stopped several promotions and all third-party sales so that we can control numbers more effectively and ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. 

•  Are all the exhibits open?

All outdoor exhibits are open along with many indoor areas and most of our animal walkthrough exhibits. Masks are advised and are mandatory for visitors in indoor areas and walkthrough exhibits. You don't have to wear a mask during the rest of your visit in outdoor areas, but we do encourage it as a courtesy to other visitors and staff.

We have also introduced one-way routes around London Zoo to help with visitor flow and to ensure social distancing. Visitors can choose from 3 different routes depending on the animals they would like to see and the time they would like to spend in the Zoo.

At Whipsnade, our penguins close at 5.30pm, and last entry to the Butterfly House is at 5.15pm.

• Can I take the one-way routes around London Zoo multiple times?

Yes, all the routes end in the Zoo's central courtyard so you can take them in any order and as many times as you wish, as long as you remain in the Zoo.

Tickets are for single entry to the Zoo only.

• How long can I stay at the zoo?

There is no time limit on your visit but to manage capacities and ensure safe distancing, we would recommend you stay no longer than 4 hours.

• Are the play areas open?

At London Zoo the Animal Adventure play equipment is open from 4 July. The splash park remains closed.

At Whipsnade Zoo, Hullabazoo (indoors and outdoors) remains closed until further notice.

• Are the cafes and shops open?

In line with government advice, our sit-in cafes remain closed with the exception of our Terrace restaurant at London Zoo which is operating a limited indoor dining experience.  As government advice permits and enables our other indoor dining areas to open, then they will be done so with appropriate contingencies in place as we have done with our Terrace restaurant - including limiting numbers, protective screens, social distancing measures and card transactions. Visitors to the Terrace restaurant will need to wear a mask on entering and exiting the restaurant but may remove this when seated by a member of our friendly team.

Take-away units are open, and our Base Camp restaurant has reopened for indoor dining with social distancing guidelines in place. You are welcome to bring your own picnics and packed lunches, as mentioned below. You will still be able to refill water bottles at our Visitor Centre; buy cold drinks, ice cream, sweets and crisps at each of our Sealion Shop, Penguin Kiosk and Visitor Centre, and treat yourselves to an ice cream at Jude's Ice Cream Van [near Lions] and our Railway Station, on site at Whipsnade. Our Station Store and Africa Outpost will also be able to offer you sandwiches, salads, hot drinks and bakery items.

Find out more about on-site food at Whipsnade

Our zoo shops are open, so you'll be able to pick up a souvenir there, from outdoor pop-up vendors, or our online shop.

• Can I bring my own food and drink? And where can I eat it?

Yes, you can bring your own food. There are open-air picnic areas at both Zoos and outdoor tables will be 2m apart and cleaned regularly. We kindly ask everyone, whether bringing their own food or buying food on site, to help our staff and please dispose of all waste in bins provided.

• How will you manage your toilets so they are safe to use?

We are providing extra hand sanitiser for people to use before and after entering the toilet blocks. We also have social distancing markers and reminders for everyone, and expect all visitors to respect these whilst using these facilities. Our cleaning staff will also be cleaning all bathroom facilities with increased frequency. In addition, a queuing system will be in place for the main toilets at Whipsnade with only one family/household being allowed in the toilet block at any one time.

• Will you be running talks and demonstrations?

No. As these attract groups of people standing in close proximity, we are not running our talks programme until further notice.

• What about animal experiences like ‘Meet the animals’ or overnight stays in the Lodges?

Selected animal experiences are now available - please see the Experiences section of the website for the latest details.

Anyone with pre-booked experiences whose booking has been affected will be contacted by our Supporter Contact team.

• Are the Zoos still accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, both Zoos are still fully accessible. Find out more about accessibility at ZSL Whipsnade and London Zoos.

• Will I still be able to hire a wheelchair?

Yes, both Zoos will still have wheelchairs for hire which will be cleaned after each use.

• Is the number of tickets I can buy restricted?

In order to maintain social distancing, we need to limit the number of people visiting the Zoo, therefore initially we have set a limit of buying no more than 6 tickets in one transaction. We will monitor our visitor numbers on a regular basis with a view to increasing our capacities when it is safe to do so.

• Will I need to wear a mask?

We want you to feel comfortable during your visit. In line with government guidelines you don't have to wear a mask during your visit in outdoor areas, but we do encourage it as a courtesy to other visitors and staff.
Masks are advised and are mandatory in indoor areas, on entering and exiting the Terrace restaurant, and while enjoying walkthrough exhibits.
Some of our Zookeepers will be wearing masks to minimise any risk of transmitting any virus onto our animals.

• Why do children as young as 3 have to wear a mask?

This is to minimise the risk of passing any virus to our animals, especially primates. As well as keeping visitors and staff safe, it’s really important we protect the health and safety of our animals in walk-through enclosures.

• What if I have a disability or medical condition that makes it a struggle to wear a mask?

As masks are for the safety of our animals, if you or a member of your party may struggle with a mask, please make yourself known to the steward at the entrance of the exhibit. We will do all we can to make reasonable and practical adjustments – this may for example include adhering to more stringent social distancing measures inside the exhibit. However, if it’s felt that the safety of the animals can not be guaranteed, we may have to refuse entry.

• Why are some zookeepers wearing masks?

Some zookeepers are wearing masks as an extra precaution while going about their work.

• How is ZSL contributing to NHS Test and Trace, and what does this mean for my data?

If you visit one of our Zoos, we will ask you to give us some basic information at the point you purchase a ticket, including your name and email address.  Government guidelines ask us to do this to help NHS Test and Trace reduce the risk of a further COVID-19 outbreak.
If the information is requested by the NHS Test and Trace service, we will share it with them so they can use it for contact tracing and to investigate local outbreaks of COVID-19. Only the basic information needed for NHS Track and Trace will be shared, and only if deemed necessary by the NHS – other details collected during your transaction (e.g. payment details) are not passed on.  This process allows NHS Test and Trace to quickly identify people who have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. NHS Test and Trace can then ask them to act in ways that keep them and others safe.
Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.

• Is it safe to visit?

The safety and welfare of our visitors, staff and animals is always our top priority and we are taking every measure to ensure this. 
Scientific advice is that open outdoor spaces are the places of lowest risk. Both our Zoos are open air; London Zoo is set within London’s largest park – Regent’s Park – and Whipsnade Zoo is in the Chiltern Hills countryside. 
We are limiting the number of people who can visit so that we can safely manage people and enable social distancing between visitors, and between visitors and our staff.

• What specific precautions are you taking at the Zoos?

We have made the decision to limit our visitor numbers so that we can safely ensure social distancing. We are operating at a reduced capacity, and we will regularly review our numbers in order to increase our daily capacity as lockdown is eased further and in line with government advice.
All visitors, including under-3s, must book their tickets in advance and tickets are split into timed slots to spread visitors throughout the day. Members, Fellows and Patrons only need to pre-book during weekends and school holidays; no pre-booking required during off-peak weekdays.
The following measures have also been put in place:

• Floor markings and reminder signs throughout the Zoos demarcating 2m distance
• Protective screens at contact point including at ticket checks and Member kiosks
• Hand-sanitiser/handwash stations at the entrances, exits and at regular stops around the Zoo
• Card or mobile device payments (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay) only, no cash will be accepted
• Indoor children's play areas (and Hullabazoo outdoor play area at Whipsnade Zoo) are closed. London's Animal Adventure Splash Zone also remains closed.
• The Great Whipsnade Railway is closed
• Take-away catering only
• Talks and demonstrations cancelled until further notice to prevent over-crowding
• Regular cleaning carried out across the Zoos

We have also introduced one-way routes around London Zoo to help with visitor flow and to ensure social distancing. Visitors can choose from 3 different routes depending on the animals they would like to see and the time they would like to spend in the Zoo.

• How will you ensure that all visitors act responsibly and ensure the visit is safe for all?

We ask that all those visiting our Zoos behave responsibly and respect the measures that we have put in place. There are three key rules that we ask people to adhere to on their visit: Stay 2 metres apart; do not touch anything as you explore the Zoo; and wash your hands regularly.   We will also have staff in key places throughout the Zoo to help remind people of our ‘Zoo rules’ whilst also supporting a great day out for all.

We also ask that people take responsibility for their own health and the health of the community before visiting the zoo. Please do not choose to visit the zoo if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have any underlying health conditions that may put you at risk. If you are vulnerable in any way, it is your responsibility to make the right choice for yourself and others around you.

• Is it safe to be near the animals?

Yes, there is no evidence that this poses any risk of COVID-19 infection.

• Will I need to wear a mask?

Please bring a face mask when you visit. All visitors aged 3 or over will need to wear a mask in walk-through primate enclosures. Visitors aged 11 and over will be asked to wear masks in other indoor areas. You don't have to wear a mask during the rest of your visit in outdoor areas, but we do encourage it as a courtesy to other visitors and staff.
Some of our Zookeepers will be wearing masks to minimise any risk of transmitting any virus onto our animals.

• Why do children as young as 3 have to wear a mask?

This is to minimise the risk of passing any virus to our animals, especially primates. As well as keeping visitors and staff safe, it’s really important we protect the health and safety of our animals in walk-through enclosures.

• What if I have a disability or medical condition that makes it a struggle to wear a mask?

As masks are for the safety of our animals, if you or a member of your party may struggle with a mask, please make yourself known to the steward at the entrance of the exhibit. We will do all we can to make reasonable and practical adjustments – this may for example include adhering to more stringent social distancing measures inside the exhibit. However, if it’s felt that the safety of the animals can not be guaranteed, we may have to refuse entry.

• How are you making it safe for your staff?

Staff safety is just as important as visitor safety, so a range of plans are in place to protect them too, including small numbers of staff on site, new safety equipment and help maintaining social distancing from one another, and from visitors.

• Why are some zookeepers wearing masks?

Everything ZSL does is to protect animals, including those in our care at London and Whipsnade Zoos. Our keepers are wearing masks to minimise any risk of transmitting any virus onto these incredibly important animals.

• Have you performed risk assessments to ensure my visit will be safe?

Yes, we have and if you'd like to, you can read them here:

ZSL London Zoo Risk Assessment

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Risk Assessment

• Do Zoo Members, Fellows and Patrons need to book in advance too?

From 10 September, Members, Fellows and Patrons only need to pre-book free Zoo tickets in advance for weekend and school holiday visits. Please note: Every pre-booked free ticket is for members only, valid on the selected date for the selected Zoo and in conjunction with a valid ZSL Members, Fellows and Patrons card, or temporary slip for new members. Otherwise, unfortunately, we will not be able to grant you entry into the Zoo.

No pre-booking will be required for off-peak weekdays and entry will be granted with a valid membership card. 

• I am a Member, Fellow or Patron - how do I pre-book a ticket?

All Members, Fellows and Patrons are able to pre-book free peak day tickets for weekend and school holiday visits here, using their membership ID as login. You will be able to book tickets for yourself, everyone on your membership and for memberships related to your account. 
If you have trouble logging in with your short membership ID / CRM ID – you will find that in all correspondence from ZSL – please contact us at membership@zsl.org, fellowship@zsl.org or patronage@zsl.org respectively, or ring us on 0344 225 1826.

• I am a new member – why can’t I book a ticket?

If you just bought a new membership, please allow 24-48 hours for your membership ID to be updated on the booking system. You will then be able to book your free tickets – capacity permitting. New online tickets for weekends and school holidays will be released in two-week blocks. Please keep an eye out for new tickets every other Tuesday. Check the website regularly for the most up-to-date information on ticket availability.

• Will numbers be restricted for Members, Fellows and Patrons?

In order to safely manage visitor numbers and to ensure social distancing, we are limiting the number of people who can visit our Zoos. We are initially re-opening with a reduced capacity. So that we can also generate much needed funds from single visit paying customers, this also means that we have to set limitations on our Members, Fellows and Patrons visits too. However, we will monitor our capacities on a regular basis in order to maximise Members, Fellows and Patrons visitation.

• How far in advance can I pre-book my free ticket?

New online tickets are initially released in two-week blocks. Please keep an eye out for new tickets every other Tuesday. The next release dates are:

• Tuesday 15 Sept: Ticket release for weekends 26-27 Sept and 3-4 Oct 
• Tuesday 29 Sept: Ticket release for weekends 10-11 Oct and 17-18 Oct 
• Tuesday 13 Oct: Ticket release for weekends 24-25 Oct and 31 Oct – 1 Nov, October half term weekday tickets for 26-30 Oct

Check the website regularly for the most up-to-date information on ticket availability.

• Why are there dates available for paying visitors but I can't book them as a member?

There is a pre-defined, ring-fenced allocation of tickets for members that may become booked up at a different rate to paying visitor slots. Please note, general visitor tickets are non-refundable. If you as a member decide to purchase a ticket to visit the Zoo, we will not be able to offer you a refund for this ticket.

• How often can I come and visit?

To give as many members as possible the opportunity to visit, we kindly ask you visit not more than twice during peak times. Please consider the date and Zoo location of your visit carefully before you book, as we will not be able to exchange tickets on an individual basis after you have booked. Visits during off-peak weekdays are unlimited, capacities permitting. Always check the website before you visit for the most up-to-date information on entry terms.

• What if I can’t make it to the Zoo on the day I have pre-booked?

To give as many visitors as possible the opportunity to visit our Zoos, we kindly ask you to consider carefully before booking your tickets. Please make sure you can visit on the day and time you have selected.

• How do I cancel my free ticket?

As we are working with See Tickets, you will need to cancel directly with them. All you need is your booking reference – you will have received with your PDF tickets – and the postcode associated with the order. Visit See Ticket's customer service page  and fill in reference number and postcode in the top section. 

On Track Your Order page – click red button ‘Cancel Order’. You will then be able to book for another date of your choice. 

• Can I give my pre-booked free ticket to a friend?

No, free Members, Fellows and Patrons tickets are non-transferable and can only be used by those listed on their Membership or Fellowship and in conjunction with a valid ZSL Membership or Fellowship card which must be shown when entering the Zoo. 

• I haven't received my tickets via email. What do I do?

If you have booked though See Tickets and haven’t received your tickets, you can ask for them to be resent.  Simply enter the email address you booked with into the ‘Forgotten Details’ section at the bottom of this page. Please check your spam and junk filters too. 

• I am a Gold Member. Will my additional benefits still be available?

Most of your special Gold Member benefits are safe to use and are available for you to enjoy. Only the following benefits will not be accessible in the early stages of re-opening:

• Great Whipsnade Railway discount – closed for now
• Daily Gold member Hullabazoo Indoor Play sessions – Hullabazoo Indoor Play is closed for now
• Fast Track entrance at the corner of Regents Park - closed for now
• Reference use of ZSL Library – the library is closed for now

• Can I use my half price vouchers at the moment?

As we are only able to allow a limited number of visitors per day, we want to ensure as many of our loyal Members, Fellows and Patrons have an opportunity to visit. From 10 September, Members, Fellows and Patrons do not need to pre-book for a visit during off-peak weekdays. If this trial proves successful, rest assured that we will be re-introducing the usage of half price tickets when it is safe to do so. Keep an eye out for your emails for the latest information. 

• As a Fellow, can I still bring in a guest with me for free?

As a Fellow, you are still able to bring a guest into the Zoo with you, however you must also pre-book this ticket at the same time as you pre-book yours. We respectfully ask however that you follow government guidelines regarding meeting up with people outside of your own household.

• I am a Patron, can I still sign in guests? 

As a Patron you will still be able to sign in one guest into the Zoo as part of your Patronage, however you must pre-book this ticket at the same time as you pre-book yours.  Also, your guest must accompany you when you present your tickets and cards at the gate. We will be reviewing an increase in guest sign ins as we progress in line with our Patronage tier, however at present we want to make sure as many people can enjoy our Zoos as possible especially given our limited numbers. 

• Can I use my complimentary Patron tickets at the moment?

As numbers are restricted to a limited number of visitors per day, we want to ensure as many of our loyal Members, Fellows and Patrons have an opportunity to visit. Also in line with government guidelines, we want to encourage people to stay within their own households and limit contact with others, we are therefore temporarily stopping the use of complimentary Patron tickets. They will be re-introduced when it is safe to do so and when government guidelines allow.

• I’m a new Member, Fellow or Patron, how can I pick up my membership card?

The membership kiosk at London Zoo and membership desk at Whipsnade are open – staffing levels permitting – to take your photos and print your membership cards. However, if there is a queue or if you would prefer to receive your cards by post, please send a passport-sized photo of each member on your membership to membership@zsl.org, quoting your membership ID in any email with the team. This can be found on your temporary membership slip.
For Fellows, please send to fellowship@zsl.org quoting your membership or CRM number in any email. This can be found on your Fellowship welcome letter.
For Patrons, please send to patronage@zsl.org quoting your membership or CRM number in any email. This can be found on your Patronage welcome letter.

• I’m a Member, will my membership be extended for the time the Zoos have been closed?

If you are a ZSL Gold or Silver Member, we will automatically extend your membership for 3 months, as you weren’t able to visit us. The closure of our Zoos has put us into a difficult financial situation – and we will be facing a tough time long after reopening. But your ‘Waive for Wildlife’ really will make all the difference. If you can, waive your extension today and help us to keep our animals thriving and our conservation work running. Get in touch today at membership@zsl.org, quoting your membership ID.

Selected experiences are now back up and running - please see the Experiences pages on the website for the very latest information.

We will continue to follow Government advice and update those whose bookings are affected.

If you have booked a Meet the Elephants experience at Whipsnade, as we are fully booked for the rest of 2020, you will be offered a priority booking for 2021.

Whilst we are pleased to have reopened our Zoos with limited capacity, due to the current COVID-19 guidelines in place, we have chosen to postpone all of our Lookout Lodge Experiences, Keeper For a Day and Nature Night Camping at Whipsnade until the end of year to ensure we are able to operate our Zoos safely for our visitors, staff and animals. Bookings for 2021 dates for these Experiences will open on 1 November.

Please note that if you are booking as a supporter including members, Patrons or Fellows, guests who are also supporters, can accompany you without booking a timed slot to visit in advance. Please arrive together as a group, with your booked experience ticket and valid Membership cards. If paying visitors would like to join a supporter on their Experience, they will need to book their timed slot to visit the Zoo, in advance. If you are not a member and are a paying visitor booking for an Experience, please ensure you also book your Zoo entry on the same date as your Experience here.

We would really like to help in any way we can, so please email experienceenquiries@zsl.org to discuss your booking or any further questions you may have. 

ZSL’s Library is currently closed. If you have borrowed books we will be automatically renewing your loan, so please don’t worry. There’s no need to attempt to return your books at the moment.

You can bring your car inside ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, but there is an additional charge of £25 (£12.50 for Gold members) per car to do this. Please note we will be limiting the number of cars that can enter the Zoo, operating on a first come, first served system. You cannot book car entry into the Zoo in advance at the moment . If you are not able to take your car into the Zoo, there is a large, free car park just outside the Zoo.