Event type
Tour
Event status
Passed
Dates
4 October
16 October
16 October
Price
Free with zoo entry
This heritage tour is now over for 2025.
Find out more about our history
The Whipsnade Story (1931 – 1945): Success, bombs and spies!
Join us to discover the secrets of Whipsnade Zoo’s rich history.
Why did thousands flock to the zoo for its opening weekend? How and why was our iconic chalk White Lion created? And how did the zoo survive over 40 bombs during World War 2? Our guides will share these and other amazing stories as they take you on a walk into the past at Whipsnade.
- Dates: This tour will run on Saturday 4 October and Thursday 16 October (as part of our Walk of the Week series).
- Times: The tour starts at 10.30am and will finish at approximately 11.45am.
- Location: Please meet at the Membership booth (in between the Visitor Centre and Woodland Walk). The tour will end at Viewpoint Cafe, close to our white rhinos and reindeer.
Important information
- These tours will run for around 60-90 minutes.
- Tours are free of charge, but please book in advance. If spaces are available, it may be possible to join us on the day.
- Admission to the Zoo is not included and must be purchased separately or a ZSL membership held.
- Each tour is a stand-alone experience covering different eras of the zoo.
- They are open to all but due to their length and the amount of walking involved - participants must be over 12yrs old.
- Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult.
- Participants must have a good level of mobility. This is a 90-minute walking tour covering uneven terrain.
- The maximum number of participants per tour is 20 people.
History of Whipsnade Zoo
Inspiring a lifelong love of wildlife for one hundred years
Whipsnade Park Zoo opened on 23 May 1931
Once a derelict farm on the Dunstable Downs, we've now become a hub for cutting-edge conservation across the globe.