Edinburgh Zoo
ENTRY
from £7.50
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
Over 2,500 animals across a hillside site, with keeper talks daily and a lot of walking between enclosures.
This is a big day out, not a quick stop. You're looking at over 2,500 animals, and the site is built into a hill, so comfortable shoes matter more than they sound like they should. Keeper talks and encounters run through the day, and that's the bit worth planning around rather than just wandering and hoping you catch one.
Booking online saves you a chunk over turning up on the day (£20.60 against £24.50 for a child, £30 against £32.50 for an adult), and you can arrive any time after your slot and stay until close. Tickets do sell out on weekends and school holidays, so it's not one to leave to the morning of. Under-3s go free either way.
Food-wise there are two restaurants, a café and a few kiosks dotted about. Parking is £5 a car and spaces are first come first served, which on a busy day means getting there early pays off. There's a free mobility vehicle if the hill and a pushchair don't mix, with room for one buggy and four people.
Worth knowing before you commit to a full circuit: some indoor enclosures shut half an hour before the zoo does, Koala Territory keeps its own restricted hours, and the lemur walkthrough is closed for now. Animals do what animals do, so a nap at the wrong moment means you might miss seeing one properly. Anyone under 16 needs an adult with them throughout, which is just how it works here rather than a suggestion.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- One hour before closing
- Booking
- Book in advance to save around 10%
- Parking
- £5 per car, pay at barriers or admissions
- Food
- Two restaurants, one café and several kiosks with hot and cold food, snacks and drinks
- Pushchairs
- Free mobility vehicle service with space for one pushchair and four other passengers
- Wheelchairs
- Limited manual wheelchairs £10 hire with £10 refundable deposit
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only. Not permitted as they can cause stress to animals
- Anyone under 16 needs to be with someone 16 or over the whole visit
- The lemur walkthrough is currently closed
- It's built on a hill, so trainers over sandals if you can
- Members park free; everyone else pays £5
- Membership works out cheaper if you're likely to visit more than once a year
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Booking online is cheaper: £30 for an adult and £20.60 for a child aged 3 to 15. Turn up on the day and it's £32.50 and £24.50. Under-3s are free.
Do we need to book ahead?
Booking's recommended and saves you around 10 percent. Tickets can sell out on weekends and school holidays, so it's worth sorting in advance for those.
What time does it open and close?
10am to 6pm April to September, 10am to 5pm in March and October, and 10am to 4pm the rest of the year. Last entry is an hour before closing, but once you're in you can stay until they shut.
Is there parking?
Yes, £5 a car, paid at the barriers or admissions. Spaces are limited and go on a first come, first served basis.
What about food?
Two restaurants, a café and several kiosks around the site sell hot and cold food, snacks and drinks.
Is it OK for a toddler or with a pushchair?
There's a free mobility vehicle with space for one pushchair and four passengers, handy given the hill. Baby change and bottle warming are available too.
Are dogs allowed?
Only assistance dogs. The zoo says other dogs can stress the animals.
Can we see all the animals?
Mostly, though some indoor enclosures close half an hour before the zoo does and Koala Territory has its own restricted hours. Animals nap when they fancy it, so nothing's guaranteed on the day.
Do birthday parties happen here?
Birthday parties are listed among the things on offer.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
There are accessible toilets and changing places throughout. Manual wheelchairs hire for £10 with a £10 deposit, and mobility scooters are £10 plus a £15 deposit, with free carer admission on proof.
Does it close for anything?
It closes on Christmas Day. Otherwise it runs year round with shorter hours in winter.
Can school groups visit?
There are school visit rates, from £7.50 for an on-site visit with an education class up to £10.50 for a self-led visit without one.
Also on site
Education Centre
Indoor learning space used for school and group education sessions, around 10 minutes' walk from main reception.
Mansion House
Historic house built in 1793, altered in 1891 and 1913, now used as an event venue for weddings, conferences and other events.
Animals
Highland Cows
Highland Cows Nessie and Thistle, kept at a hilltop habitat, featured in the 'Meet the Coos' group experience.
Experiences
Lemur walkthrough
Walkthrough lemur enclosure, currently closed.
Shows
Penguin parade
Penguin parade, currently postponed due to the risks of avian flu.
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