Monkeying Around at Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade Zoo is one of my favourite local day trips, it’s the UK’s biggest zoo, set in 600 acres of beautiful parkland within the Bedfordshire Chiltern Hills. It covers a huge amount of space and with so many animals to admire (over 10,000) you can struggle to see all in one visit so do arrive early so you can fit in as much as possible.

This visit was the first time we had chosen to drive into the zoo, having previously used the main carpark and walked around and I can’t believe we haven’t done this before. With small kids the option to drive to different stops around the zoo is an absolute game changer. Not only can it save tired feed (large and small) but you can stock the car full of snacks and drinks to keep those energy levels up.

Our first stop of the day was the zoo’s brand-new monkey enclosure- Monkey Forest, a walk around forest which is home to langurs, macaques, miniature water buffalo and babirusa. Viewing opportunities are plentiful, with a circular outdoor trail which features both sunken and raised viewing areas, plus spacious indoor viewing spaces as well as plenty of seating.

The area has plenty of information boards, giving fun and information details on the animals, their natural habitat as well as details on their new home at the zoo and its great environmental credentials.

As the area has only recently opened, the grass and plants around the enclosures are not established but should start to flourish over the next few months. The zoo is currently working with two local day services which assist adults living with disabilities, the participants in the project will be dead hedging around Monkey Forest to help the regeneration of the plant species, enabling there to be a great natural habitat and food plants for local wildlife, like pollinating insects, butterflies, birds and small mammals.

From Monkey Forest we headed off to spot the ‘biggies’- elephants, giraffes, lions and rhino. Throughout the day we were in baby watch mode, on the lookout for the zoos new arrivals having been told there is a baby rhino, langur, elephant, giraffe, meerkats and porcupine. We spotted a few from the list but will have to look forward to returning again to tick the rest off.

The giraffe area was one of our family favourites, you can really get close to these magnificent animals and the kids loved up to the raised park of the elephant house to get face to face with them. From the very tall to the very small, another firm favourite every time we go is the butterfly house. I think it’s the only time you will see my kids stay still as they try and encourage one of the butterflies to land on them.

Whipsnade’s farm is an interactive, up-close adventure, where you can get close to, or even pet, a variety of farmyard animals, including miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, pigs and sheep.

Worth taking into account when planning your day is that there are daily choices of talks with the keepers, we caught the bird of prey demonstration which was fantastic. There is a board with the timings as you enter the zoo, it’s worth taking a picture of this so you can try and fit at least one in.

If the kids need somewhere to let off some steam the huge Hullabazoo outdoor play area, which covers over 7,800 square metres is where to head. Other activities include the Hullabazoo Indoor play area and a wonderful steam engine experience which circles the zoo and enables you catch a glimpse of some animals as you go past.

For an extra special zoo activities you can choose various animal ‘meets’, zookeeper experiences and even sleeping over at the Zoo.

Do book tickets in advance as, especially during school holidays, it can get busy. Also, as mentioned, do try and get there early as I noticed on the zoos social media platforms that on some days during the holidays the car parks reached capacity by mid-morning.

Prices from £28.50 per adult, £19.90 children aged 3-15 and free for under 3s.