23 June 2026
Here's 13 of the best spots not to miss on your wild day out at Whipsnade Zoo.
1. Zoo Crew activities
Kids can discover what it's like to work at the Zoo this summer and become part of our Zoo Crew! Running from 18 July - 2 September, activities include dressing as a zookeeper and scooping poo into buckets, donning lab coats and testing science skills, and wading through our very own version of the River Thames. There's so much fun to be had, and you'll want to capture the memories!
INCREDIBLE SUMMER VALUE - SAVE UP TO £35 WITH A FAMILY TICKET AND GET A FREE RETURN VISIT!
Save even more with the family ticket for 3 or 4 people, and when you book online to visit before 2 September 2026, we’ll also give you a return visit absolutely free! T&Cs apply*
2. Penguins
Our rockhoppers and African penguins have got the best view at the Zoo and make the p-p-perfect backdrop. Plus, we have 19 life-size cut outs of all of the different penguin species, from the little penguin to the now extinct mega penguin. Which one are you as tall as?
3. Giraffe Heights
Come face-to-face with the tallest mammal in the world from a high-level viewing platform. You can get closer than ever to these magnificent animals - can you take a selfie with a giraffe?
4. Lions
Like us, lions use lots of facial expressions to communicate how they're feeling. Put your head through the lion frame and see if you can copy them by showing your teeth, yawning and doing a hard stare! And, of course, our lions make the purrfect photo.
5. New arrivals
Fill your camera roll with baby animals! Our latest arrival is an endangered Asian elephant calf, born on Monday 8 June. The baby boy is a vital addition to the European breeding programme for the species – which in the wild are threatened by habitat fragmentation and climate change.
6. The Downs
On a clear day, enjoy an ice cream from our Viewpoint Coffee Shop overlooking the beautiful countryside and get some photos of the landscape – you can see for miles.
7. Pygmy goats
Kids (and big kids!) love our goat walk-through in our farmyard where you can pet our pygmy goats. Capture the magical interaction of your little ones making a new friend, or see if you can take a selfie with one of our goats.
8. Birds of the World
It isn't easy to photograph free-flying birds as they swoop above your head - a video might be better! The finale of the Birds of the World display is particularly magical.
9. Hullabazoo fun
Head into our adventure play area for more family fun, complete with swings, slides, and a giant sandpit for kids of all ages to enjoy.
10. Aquarium
Children love admiring the fish in our Aquarium, and see if you can also spot the other animals that call it home - from snakes to chameleons.
11. Beautiful butterflies
After delving underwater, immerse yourself in a colourful world of butterflies and look out for the birds and crocodiles that also live in Butterfly Paradise.
12. Monkey mirrors
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the cheekiest of them all? Pull monkey faces in the mirrors and look out for some babies in our newest habitat, Monkey Forest, too!
13. The Whipsnade Zoo sign
After your adventure, don’t forget to stop by our Zoo sign for that last photo before you head back to the car park.
