Marwell Zoo: Review

Just recently we went to visit Marwell Wildlife Zoo. I haven’t been there for a long time and I was amazed by how much had changed since my last visit! Marwell is a 140 acre zoo near Winchester. It is home to over 1200 animals of 235 different species.  Over 170 are exotic and endangered species! The zoo is situated around the estate of the gorgeous Marwell Hall. Unfortunately you cant go inside the house but the gardens are gorgeous!  

We had a fabulous time. Aside from the animals there is a train which will take you to different stops around the park, 3 adventure playgrounds and wonderful staff who were quite happy to answer any and all of the boys questions! They cant decide whether their favourite animals were the giraffes, tiger or rhino, all of which they saw up close and personal. It was lovely to see how well kept the animals were too. All of them were very happy and the staff so knowledgeable. There are lots of feeding shows throughout the day which kept the boys interested. And one of our favourites were the little passports they had to take round. Rather than a stamp they have lovely embossing stamps which were original and enchanted the boys.

 

Top Tips:

Parking: Large car parks which are free of charge! Little shade though but you’re bound to spend the whole day there till evening.

Tickets: You can buy online, or if there’s a long queue connect up to their free wifi and buy then and there and beat the queues!

Getting around: Take a copy of a map with you and when there take a photo on your phone of the train drop off and arrivals! It will save time later.

Passport: Pick one up! It’s a suggested donation of £1 and worth it for the kids running between displays rather than demanding to be picked up and carried.

Picnic: The shops were pretty good and clued up on allergies but there are also plenty of places around to picnic in shade and near children friendly activities!

Plan a head: You need the whole to explore. 140 acres to be explored and hills to be rolled down on top of lunch, passports and trains means you’ll need more than a drop in visit!