Description
Marwell Zoo is located in the Hampshire countryside, off Thompson’s Lane near Colden Common, Winchester (postcode SO21 1JH). Surrounded by about 140 acres of parkland, it offers a natural, semi‑wooded setting with landscaped grounds and wild zones. You’ll see a wide variety of animals including big cats like Amur tigers, snow leopards, white rhinos, giraffes, lemurs, birds of prey, and many more species housed in well‑designed habitats. There are themed areas such as the Tropical House, Lemur Loop walkthroughs, and also several children’s adventure playgrounds scattered across the zoo.
Plan to spend 4 to 5 hours to get the most out of Marwell. That allows time for walking around the exhibits, attending animal feeding sessions or keeper talks, resting at cafés, and letting children enjoy the playgrounds. Because many animals may be resting at certain times, it’s good to roam, return to enclosures later, and factor in internal walking distances. Zoo facilities include cafés, picnic spots, gift shops, and helpful wayfinding—there's also a zoo app to see feed/talk times and plan your route around the park.
Opening hours are daily (year‑round except Christmas Day and Boxing Day), typically from 10:00 AM until late afternoon (often around 5:00 PM in many seasons), with last admission about 90 minutes before closing. Tickets cost in the range of £23‑£29 for adults, around £19‑£25 for children aged 3‑16, with under‑2s free. Discounts are available for seniors and students. For best value, book tickets online in advance. The zoo is card‑only (no cash) for payments. Facilities are accessible (wheelchair hire, strollers etc.), and parking is free. Be sure to bring suitable footwear, check for weather, carry water, and arrive early enough to see more active animals.