Whipsnade zoo vs Hertfordshire zoo

[zookids]

I’m thinking of getting an annual membership for either Whipsnade Zoo or Hertfordshire Zoo and can’t decide which to go for.

I’ve got a 2 and 4 year old. Has anyone been to both and can recommend which is better for that age? Which one do you feel you get more out of over the year?

I’ve had annual passes for both. I think journey time makes a big difference.

whipsnade is a great zoo but is big and spread out. I think it has more mileage for older kids than Hertfordshire zoo.

Assuming both are easy for you I think I would do Hertfordshire zoo with your ages as it’s got a mix of everything and it’s much more compact. You could do whipsnade when they are a bit older.

Whichever is closer to home?
if equidistant then I agree with the poster above. Whipsnade is huge and better for older kids

Hertfordshire Zoo is smaller and much more navigable with smaller kids I would say but with plenty to do and see.

Whipsnade is bigger and more impressive but there is a lot of walking unless you take your car in.

I live 40 minutes from Hertfordshire Zoo and 1hr 15 from Whipsnade. We have been members of Whipsnade for the past 8 years, since my children were 3 and 1. I far prefer it and it is good value for money. It includes London Zoo as well.

We have been to Hertfordshire Zoo a few times as well. Depends what you want it for - for us it has always been for the animals but I know others who use Hertfordshire Zoo for the soft play, beach, dinosaurs etc as well as the animals. The have a lot of 'days' ie Paddington visiting coming up, Meet and greet of the One Zoo Three presenters.

Thanks all. That’s helpful. We are equidistant from both places. I was leaning towards Hertfordshire zoo as well as it is more compact and accessible for the little legs. Though most people around me with kids the same age, seem to have a membership at Whipsnade.

with the ages of your little ones I would do Hertfordshire zoo this year.

I am pretty much equidistant and have Whipsnade with a 3yo. Hertfordshire zoo membership is a lot more expensive than Whipsnade, and with Whipsnade you have the option for London zoo too. Whipsnade has soft play, playground and events too. The fact it’s spread out isn’t really an issue as the joy of membership means you can pop there easily and just do small sections of it if you don’t want to go round the full zoo. I’ve never been to Hertforshire zoo so can’t compare, but like you most people I know have Whipsnade. I would bet that the price difference is a big reason for this. the other benefit to having the same as lots of people in your area is that you can end up coordinating for random zoo play dates etc.