Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World
BEST FOR
Ages 2+
ENTRY
from £13
WHERE
Telford
What it’s like
Real animals, a dinosaur land and a Land Rover safari ride, with enough ground to fill most of a day.
The dinosaurs get top billing but the animals are the actual heart of it. You've got Land of the Beasts and a proper Lemur Walk where they're wandering about near you, plus Wallaby Wood for the same trick with wallabies. Then there's Hoo-Rassic World, which is exactly what a six-year-old wants after an hour of looking at real creatures: something that roars. Daily dinosaur shows and animal feeding sessions are timed through the day, so it's worth grabbing a map on the way in and building your visit around those rather than just wandering.
Little ones get their own patch in the Little Lemurs Play Area, and there's a wider Realm of Adventure for the ones who've outgrown it, though that one shuts on weekdays through September for maintenance, annoying if that's when you'd planned to go. The Land Rover Safari is the bit worth saving for last, it's the sort of ride that turns a good day into the one they talk about at school on Monday.
Budget for the whole day. Most people are in for three and a half to four hours, and at nearly eighteen quid for an adult online, you want to make it count rather than nipping in for an hour. Booking a week ahead gets you the cheaper rate, and last entry's 3:30pm so don't leave it too late in the afternoon. Parking's free, which helps soften the ticket price a bit, and the T-Rex Tea Room covers you for food without needing to bring your own.
If you're pushing a wheelchair or a buggy, the gravel paths are a bit of a workout, especially with mud thrown in after rain. There's disabled parking but it's limited, so turning up early matters more here than most places.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 2 to 10, with the safari ride a hit for older ones too
- Last entry
- 3:30pm
- Booking
- Book 7 days in advance for the cheapest rate
- Parking
- Free parking for all zoo visitors
- How long to allow
- Most visitors spend between 3.5 and 4 hours
- Food
- T-Rex Tea Room on-site serving hot and cold food, drinks and snacks
- Wheelchairs
- ECV scooters available for hire (must book online)
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only with valid Assistance Dog Access Card
- Parties
- Birthday parties available with animal encounters and dinosaur adventures options
- Worth knowing
- Under 2s go free, but must be added to booking
- The Realm of Adventure play area closes on weekdays in September for maintenance
- Blue Peter badge holders get free entry with a full-paying adult, but it can't be combined with other offers
- Annual passes are available if you reckon you'll be back
- Coach parking's available if you're organising a group, just get in touch beforehand
- Tickets sit on your phone, no need to print anything
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Just under eighteen quid for an adult online, £16.95 for a child. A family of four works out at £64.95, which is where the real saving is if there's a few of you.
Do we need to book ahead?
Book seven days out and you get the cheapest rate. You can turn up and buy on the day too, but it's subject to availability and you'll pay more.
What time's last entry?
3:30pm, so don't plan a late afternoon dash, you won't get the full run of it.
How long should we set aside?
Most people are there three and a half to four hours. Worth timing your visit around the feeds and dinosaur shows rather than just drifting.
Is it any good for a toddler?
There's a Little Lemurs Play Area that's pitched at the smaller ones, separate from the bigger Realm of Adventure. Under 2s go in free but still need adding to the booking.
What about wheelchairs and buggies?
Gravel paths throughout, so it's hard going in places if you're pushing something. Disabled parking exists but there isn't much of it, so get there early.
Can we bring the dog?
Assistance dogs only, and even then they can't go into Hoo-Rassic World, Land of the Beasts or the walkthrough habitats.
Is there food on site?
The T-Rex Tea Room does hot and cold food, drinks and snacks, so you don't need to pack a picnic.
Is parking free?
Free for everyone visiting the zoo.
Do they do birthday parties?
Yes, built around either animal encounters or the dinosaur side of things.
What if it rains?
Two hours of continuous rain during your visit gets you a free return day ticket within the month.
Will we definitely see the animals out and about?
Not guaranteed, some animals choose to stay indoors on a given day rather than being on show.
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