Exclusive zoo visits

Heythrop Zoo is set at a private location in the beautiful Cotswolds. We are only open by appointment only. We are not open to the public like a normal zoo. Our mission is to educate on animal welfare and behaviour, advance animal training standards worldwide and inspire the next generation to be the guardians of the wonderful animals and nature on our planet. As we are not open to the general public on a day-to-day basis, we are able to offer you exclusive and unforgettable animal experiences by appointment only.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an animal trainer? Have you wanted to know the difference between caring for animals in the wild versus in captivity? If you’re interested, inspired or looking to work more with animals yourself, book your exclusive zoo visit today.

You will have exclusive access to our private location where we will explain how we train and supply animals for media and education. You will be guided around our premises with one of our experienced trainers, who will share everything there is to know about our animals, the film work they have been involved in and their individual history. Our zoo is not like any normal zoo; you’ll be in for an experience you’ll never forget!

When can I come?

The zoo visits are by appointment only, and are available at either 11.00am or 2.15pm, 7 days a week. The visit itself will be approximately 1 ½ - 2 hours. The Zoo Visits are per group size, not priced individually. We do not join groups together. The visit is for you and whoever you bring with you, whether its one person or forty people.

In accordance with new government guidelines, please see the safety procedures at the bottom of this page.

What are the packages?

Conditions

*    For Penguin Feeding, participants must be 3 years old and above

**  For Tiger Feeding, participants must be 8 years old and above

*** We can take numbers of up to 40 people, please email for prices

Note: 3 year olds and under go free, with a maximum of 5 per group and are not included within your numbers.
You will have the opportunity to take photographs (you will need to supply your own camera)

Booking

If you wish to book a visit, we will need to know the following: 

• Full names and ages if under 16, of the people attending

• Dates and times that suit you - in case your first option has gone already

• Which package you would like. If package 2, would you like tiger feeding or the raven demonstration

Payment

Payment is by bank transfer. Please note we do not have any card machines or card facilities onsite. We will email you the details with the reference to use up on booking

The visit will be solely for you and whoever you book in with you. 

If you have any other questions or would like to book in please let us know.

Cancellation policy

If for any reason you need to cancel or rearrange your visit, please see below cancellation fees:

• Cancellation - 50% of the agreed sum plus £22.00 administration fee if the full balance has been paid

• Reschedule – Free of charge

Hygiene, Health and Safety Protocol

Safety procedures are in place to protect you, our staff and our animals. Due to our zoo not being open to the public, we have limited visitors and guests, and can therefore reassure you that strict hygiene, health and safety measures are in place to comply with government guidelines - this may change depending on government guidelines.

Facemasks/Face Shields are optional for all Encounters and visits. You are more than welcome to bring your own if you wish to wear a mask. Your handler may or may not wear a mask for the encounters, but will wear one if you would like them to.

Please see below guidelines that we kindly ask that you, as a visitor, comply with for your visit to take place: 

• Upon arrival you will be given a clipboard with the Health and Safety procedure to read through and be signed in. By signing in, you have agreed that all members of your party have read, understood and will comply with our new Hygiene, Health and Safety Protocol (this document). If applicable, payments are required at this point, there will be an envelope within the clipboard to put your payment into.

• You will then be guided to our toilet facility where you will be asked to wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap.

• You will then be guided by our handler around our premises.

• At the end of your visit, you will be signed out, taken to the toilet facility where you must wash your hands.

During your visit, the handler will take you on a guided walk around the zoo, explaining all there is to know about our animals and the film work they have been a part of over the years.

Depending on which package you have opted for, please see below safety guidelines for the feeding and demonstrations within the packages.

PENGUIN FEEDING:

The penguins will be roaming around you whilst you hand feed them. Polythene gloves are optional during the feeding of the penguins. The handler on the day will assess the situation with regards to petting. Anyone under the age of 2 cannot take part in the penguin feeding.

TIGER FEEDING:

This is your opportunity to spend time with the most beautiful and majestic of the big cats. Your tiger encounter entitles you to get up close but not too close to our 2 tigers. You will get pieces of meat and a 4ft bamboo cane to put your meat on so you can feed the tiger. There is a minimum age of 8 years old if you opt for doing the tiger feeding. The bamboo feeding poles you use to feed the tigers with, will have been disinfected prior to your arrival, and then cleaned again upon your departure.

RAVEN TRAINING:

This is your opportunity to get close to one of the world’s most beautiful and intelligent birds, the Raven. You will have the chance to see our raven in a training environment and see what naughty behaviours they have learnt. All being well, you will be able to handle the raven and have hands on animal training experience. 

REPTILE HANDLING:

Both packages include a visit to our reptile house, with the opportunity of meeting and handling some of our very friendly reptiles. If you have any phobias, please let us know upon booking.

ZEBRA DEMONSTRATION:

Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with our Chapman Zebras, “Maasai” and/or “Aled”. You will stand behind a small waist height barrier whilst you feed and stroke them, and learn about their training techniques from one of our main trainers. Depending on how the zebras get on with you on the day, you may also have the opportunity to groom them as well.

Disclaimer:

We have put all hygiene, health and safety procedures in place to a very high standard. However, we ask that you fully accept and understand that whenever you leave your home there is no guarantee of not contracting coronavirus.

Management and members of HZG staff reserve the right to refuse admission, cancel the visit or terminate it at any time without notice, or if HZG receive any new and updated Government Regulations.