Marwell Zoo

About

Marwell’s 140-acre park is home to an incredible range of exotic and endangered species, in beautiful, landscaped surroundings. Just by visiting Marwell Zoo (owned and operated by conservation charity, Marwell Wildlife) you’ll be making a big contribution to their projects to conserve species and habitats, both here in Hampshire and around the world. For those wildlife lovers, Marwell’s star animals include white rhino, Amur tigers, cheetahs, Humboldt penguins, Rothschild giraffes and even snow leopards (just to name a few!)

Marwell’s biggest ever exhibit, the new ‘Energy for Life’ Tropical House marks the second phase of a £17million investment programme at Marwell over the next decade, creating improved habitats for animals and more immersive experiences for guests. Hot on the heels of Wild Explorers, this innovative and sustainable exhibit spans two levels with fantastic vantage points. Guests can experience face-to-face encounters with a diversity of wildlife and exotic plants in a tropical climate, while learning about the flow of energy through life. Listen to the calls of the yellow-throated frogs below a cascading waterfall, admire Linné’s two-toed sloth Rica in the lush forest canopy and spot the group of pygmy marmosets exploring their own island above the exhibit’s impressive 70,000-litre aquarium, which is home to 2,500 fish. Tropical free-flying birds soar overhead as you scour the bustling forest floor for Javan chevrotain, Burmese mountain tortoises and insects.

If you’re loopy for lemurs, be sure to look out for Lemur Loop – A walkthrough exhibit including several species of lemurs; a great way to immerse yourself in their exciting environment. Guests can see the loveable lemur troop through the indoor viewing area in the Evolution Hub and can walk alongside the adorable lemurs in their outdoor walkthrough area.

Visitors can also enjoy fascinating daily animal talks and feeds including giraffes, meerkats and penguins. With five adventure playgrounds catering to a range of ages, a rail train, a FREE tractor train, plus the interactive Explorers Trail, there’s plenty to occupy your little ones whilst you relax and soak up the surroundings.

NEW FOR 2019!

Marwell welcomes the exciting world exclusive exhibition of BRICKOSAURS! This interactive expedition, created with more than two million bricks, is sure to excite families, LEGO®, and dinosaur enthusiasts alike. Hosting an impressive 50 sculptures, a highlight includes the largest touring LEGO brick dinosaur model ever made – a whopping eight-metre T. rex. Track down all the dinosaurs with the free BRICKOSAURS! trail; create your own masterpiece in the 'brick pits' and don’t miss the perfect photo opportunity inside the 3D Meglosaurus! Visitors will also be able to get hands on with a host of extra activities including trying their hand at making their own creations at BRICKOSAURS Base Camp, a free spotter’s guide and more. Bordon-based LEGO building company Bright Bricks say it took their team of professional builders more than 10,000 hours to create the exclusive event which will run until 1st September 2019.

The zoo has also welcomed a new male red panda who has joined their female resident red panda, Mei Mei, in a new enclosure. Specifically designed by Marwell’s keepers and landscapes teams, the exhibit replicates a red panda’s natural habit. With three different areas to explore, Mei Mei and Peter’s new enclosure features lots of planted bamboo and thick low-lying bushes, as well as both coniferous and deciduous trees to keep them both content all year round. The new home also has multi-level viewing windows as well as climbing structures for the red pandas to pass people overhead. Great for photo opportunities! 

Keep an eye out for new arrivals around the zoo throughout the year! Marwell zoo is open from 10am 363 days a year, closing times and admission prices vary. Please check the Marwell website for full ticket prices, opening times and other details.