Whipsnade zoo

[gameoverman]

Hi
Hoping for some advice please!
Would.it be ok to visit end of October with no car and 10.year old DD?
Could you cover the zoo in one day or is it better aiming for two? (We were going to stay one night but could do two if needed)
Would people recommend staying nearby? Not sure whether to stay more centrally in London or nearer to zoo..seems like lots of questions, sorry

Tia

If you're going on a day when they shut at 4pm and you want to do some animal talks and demonstrations, then yes you'll need two days to see everything.

It's quite a lot of walking to see the whole thing in one day, possible but a long day. There is a train that you can use to see a section of the zoo. There are also non-animal attractions, the soft play and the large adventure playground. I'd say 1.5-2 days would be ideal.

It's not easily accessible by public transport. If you have a car it's easy enough from central London, if not I'd stay nearby.

Thanks for your help...coming on train so will probably end up staying nearby.

Are there any places that I should avoid staying in?

Whipsnade is massive OP. They don't have as many different types of animals there as a lot of smaller zoos, but many of the animals have really large enclosures. Even if your take your car into the park, there can be quite a lot of walking involved. I think you'd find it hard to see everything in one day without a car, especially if you want to see any of the talks or spend time in the playground.

Thanks so much ..think I have decided to book at least two nights somewhere nearby as we are coming up by train

Take a scooter if you've got one - you're allowed them inside and it will save a lot of walking - plus you can just pull DD when she inevitably gets tired!

I'd suggest looking at the bus route (there's one that stops right outside the zoo!) and picking a hotel that is en route. Dunstable can have some dodgy-ish bits, but if you stay fairly central you should be fine. Feel free to DM for any more specific questions that come up (we're members and seem to be there all the time 😂)

Is there a reason you're looking at Whipsnade over London Zoo? We enjoy both but public transport wise London would be a lot easier, especially as the weather gets worse.

Whipsnade zoo is quite rurally located. The nearest train stations would be Harpenden or Luton.

It is spread out so will involve alot of walking, but is possible to walk around without a car. During the foot and mouth crisis, they didn’t allow cars in. I think you can do it in a day.

London zoo is racist to get to using public transport. It’s quite an old fashioned zoo so smaller enclosures etc. You do get closer to the animals though.

it’s one if my favourite zoos. Love the penguins!

Thanks for all your replies...we have been to
London zoo before and she wants to see things like hippos and brown beara which she has never..is it worth all the hassle tho??

I'd say if she's invested in it, sure! Just make sure she understands the travel will be intense 😂

Thanks ..starting to worry that might not be the best choice 😐 we walk around Chester zoo but she is suspected of having dyspraxia/can complain of sore lega so I'm starting to worry about the level of walking involved..don't think she would be able to use a scooter

Thanks for everyone's advice... given me lots to consider

Whipsnade is very local to us. I'd say you can do it in a day but if your DD has a propensity to get tired with lots of walking then 2 would be better. You don't need a car to get around the site. A bus runs around the main ring road and the train takes you out to see the camels.

Accommodation-wise, the closest is the Old Hunters Lodge in Whipsnade village, which is within walking distance and has a decent restaurant. Whipsnade Tree Cathedral and the old church are worth a visit too, as is the National Trust's Chiltern gateway visitor centre.

Centrebus route 40/40a stops at Whipsnade Zoo (also in Whipsnade village if you do stay there) and runs right past the Holiday Inn Express or Premier Inn just outside Dunstable town centre. Alternatively, you could stay at the Hampton by Hilton or Premier Inn right by Luton Parkway station, get any bus running along the dedicated bus way and change to the 40 route in Dunstable. I don't recommend staying in Luton town centre. I love Luton dearly but the town centre isn't a safe or pleasant place to be at night. You'll be fine up by the airport and during the day though.

If you fancy a splurge then Whipsnade Zoo has glamping pods on site. I've never stayed in one but they look very nice and it would also give you somewhere to go back to for a rest during the day if needed.

My friends staying overnight at Whipsnade zoo in a lodge.

Thank you everyone. Will start looking at these suggestions. 🙂

You can actually stay over at Whipsnade Zoo itself in certain nights - it’s expensive but brilliant.

I love Whipsnade Zoo. It’s streets ahead of any other zoo I’ve ever been to. It is big though - you need a car.