I just wish they'd remove the 'essential ' bit off their websites if the reality is it not the case anymore. Everyone knows that pre-booking normally brings a discount and saves(?) time on entry- or does it?
UK Zoos- why is advance booking still essential?
- Thread starter Pertinax
- Start date
I just wish they'd remove the 'essential ' bit off their websites if the reality is it not the case anymore. Everyone knows that pre-booking normally brings a discount and saves(?) time on entry- or does it?
If pre-booking brings a discount then the zoo is loosing out financially as there will be fees for the on-line system, both subscription (unless the zoo is large enough to have developed the system in-house) and then fees for either each ticket sold or a block fee based on spend. This must be balanced with the convenience it gives, and some degree of income from no-shows.
Pre-booking certainly saves a lot of time on entry, as it removes the decision about the make up of the party at the window, and the subsequent dithering and delays.
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
I think some zoos may have simply forgotten to update their websites fully and are not clear about no longer requiring pre-booking.
Hamerton for example does say that "tickets need to be bought online." even though one member of the forum has said otherwise and I myself have had someone enter after me without pre-purchase a couple of weeks ago.
Hamerton for example does say that "tickets need to be bought online." even though one member of the forum has said otherwise and I myself have had someone enter after me without pre-purchase a couple of weeks ago.
Thank you for that - I clicked on your link which takes you to Hamerton's DigiTicket booking page where there is no mention of needing to buy tickets on-line at all.
Searching further I see that on their main admissions page it does say need in the header, but further down it has been changed to ". . . . . Pre-booking your tickets on-line is still preferred . . . . . This streamlines the entry process allowing social distancing to be maintained . . . . . ."
This seems to me to be a little less 'strict' by not making it essential, and a pretty good balance for most people?
I can't believe any zoo would turn away paying customers now, with restrictions no longer in place!
Even at the height of the pandemic, there were at least 2 zoos where I saw people pay on the gate and write down their details for track and trace purposes(which along with the limits on numbers was the main reason for pre-booked entry).
Even at the height of the pandemic, there were at least 2 zoos where I saw people pay on the gate and write down their details for track and trace purposes(which along with the limits on numbers was the main reason for pre-booked entry).
Track-and-Trace was never actually required legally.
It was proposed and then the Government back-tracked for zoos, some of which presumably went ahead anyway?
Well that part of the reason given is certainly well out of date. 'Social Distancing' is long past, (at least currently). Nowhere is it mandatory for people to do that now, certainly not outdoors.
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Yes, I agree. I just wish they'd make it clear on their websites and remove the sections which are out of date( like 'essential'?)
This is simply not true. Social Distancing is not long past. It was VERY MUCH in evidence and a requirement when I went to the dentist on Friday last week, not only when 'under-the-knife', but in reception, the waiting room - everywhere on the premises, and conditional for the appointment - with only 2 clients in the building at once, and only then after a pre-visit questionnaire ref status. Mask-wearing at all times (except when physically on my back in the chair) was a mandatory requirement too
This continuation of social distancing measures is at the discretion of the venue, they are no longer enforceable by law as they once were.
I went to the dentist yesterday, I don't have any masks now so just walked in. The receptionists were not wearing masks either. I was not asked about my recent health and contacts as I have previously, only my jab history.
I also had a text from my doctors surgery recently requesting that where possible patients continue to wear masks, but not demanding it as before.
In practice they were never enforceable by law, so it was always effectively at the discretion of the venue. When full mask-wearing WAS mandatory, one of my work colleagues was purchasing petrol and 2 police officers came into the service station to buy food. They were not wearing masks when they left their patrol car, and walked into the building where the staff and half the customers were not wearing them either. They did nothing.
Hamerton's comment is not out of date, so far as I can see. It remains a fact that pre-paid ticketing does help reduce queues at entry, and therefore must help social distancing - regardless of whether or not this is mandatory.
This disease has not gone away, and I understand zoos being careful; and applaud them for their caution. The position and work undertaken by zoos to protect themselves, their animals, their staff and their visitors during the post-lockdown periods and since, in the complete absence of help or guidance from the Government, should be a lesson to other sectors.
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
I was at the opticians the other day and the team were wearing masks and asking people to wear them for at least the eye test part which I didn’t have an issue with - if a business wants to reduce risk of sickness / absence then I support that by popping a mask on as it’s their business and a matter of politeness etc.
I never subscribed to the notion that wearing a mask is infringing on my ‘rights’ though (not suggesting that’s the case for anyone here but it can be a thing in the U.K. popular press) so I find I can never get worked up about it.
I have however lived / worked outside the U.K. in places where mask wearing was commonplace (pre pandemic) so I guess that’s the reason it never strikes me as an issue.
I never subscribed to the notion that wearing a mask is infringing on my ‘rights’ though (not suggesting that’s the case for anyone here but it can be a thing in the U.K. popular press) so I find I can never get worked up about it.
I have however lived / worked outside the U.K. in places where mask wearing was commonplace (pre pandemic) so I guess that’s the reason it never strikes me as an issue.
I did say 'certainly not outdoors'. I was also referring to what are the legal requirements rather than those laid down by individual businesses. I have had similar experiences at the dentist to yours even recently, but this is perhaps a rather exceptional situation where people are engaged in very close contact with each other. Most people in a hospital I visited the other day were still wearing masks, but there was no social distancing. Another indoor area I visit is the local veterinary clinic which previously had very complex rules in place to reduce customer contact with staff, but have now dropped any compulsory requirements. I'd reiterate that in my view, official 'social distancing' outside- which is what this discussion refers to, is long past, IMO a period of several months ago, in the two year timeframe of Covid, now constitutes 'long past'.
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Again like the Dentist, its a situation where workers are coming in very close contact with other people.
Yes, there are situations like this still in effect at places like(some) Dentists, Opticians etc. I guess private business are free to make their own individual rules, though Hospitals might be an exception as they aren't a private business. No restrictions were evident at all when I visited on the other day, though handwash was still available.
I guess zoos are also free to make their own rules too, hence the considerable variation still. But since zoo visits take place largely outdoors its a rather different situation.
I can understand zoos wanting to safeguard their visitors and protect their staff, animals etc. Again, they are mainly private business on private land so free to implement their own rules. But from comments on here it seems that 'booking essential' isn't really the case anywhere now.
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
Noah's Ark has as one of their FAQs
"Can I purchase a ticket in-store or on the day?
We ask that tickets are purchased in advance online or over the phone on 01275 852606."
I'm sure it says somewhere on the site that tickets should be pre-booked and they also ask for visitors to wear masks indoors.
Their response doesn't actually answer the question. It doesn't say no you can't, or yes you can...only 'we ask that'....
There seems to be a considerable variation now between those zoos where pre-booking is still 'essential', those where its 'preferred' but not essential, and those where you can choose freely as previously. I also wonder how many visitors, when asked like this, will actually wear masks in situations like the indoor areas in zoos, now they aren't legally obligatory anymore. Interesting situation and perhaps again a similar variation in this sort of request..
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The only very close contact at my dentist was between patient and dentist. The rest of the experience, in the waiting room, at reception, bookings etc was no closer than in any zoo shop; yet they still require 2m social distancing, pre-booking, pre-booking declarations, face masks and hand sanitizing in ALL these areas too.
This discussion is not limited to social distancing outside - it asks 'UK Zoos - why is advanced booking still essential', and we appear to have established that it isn't.
I'm interested in getting another update on what, to me, continues to be a rather perplexing subject.... I was reading Marwell's website and it still says pre-booking is essential for all non-members and that non-booked visitors will not be admitted. Correct or out of date? How does this compare with the other major UK zoos' current entry policies for non-members now? I know that some places do still say 'pre-booking essential' but that in reality it isn't really the case. What is the situation now that the quieter winter months are looming, particularly at the biggest zoos such as;
Chester- (I believe both pre-booking and walk-up in place).
Colchester?
Cotswold- (I believe they allow 'drive-ups' as well as booking).
Twycross?
ZSL?
Marwell. -(as stated above?)
Wild Place?
YWP?
Dudley?
Blackpool?
Howletts/PL?
Edinburgh?
Belfast?
Dublin.(Eire)?
Paignton- (I believe both booking and walk-up allowed).
The Safari Parks?
Smaller zoos- (I believe more of these allow walk-in visitors anyway now)
Any recent personal experiences from these or other places welcomed.
Chester- (I believe both pre-booking and walk-up in place).
Colchester?
Cotswold- (I believe they allow 'drive-ups' as well as booking).
Twycross?
ZSL?
Marwell. -(as stated above?)
Wild Place?
YWP?
Dudley?
Blackpool?
Howletts/PL?
Edinburgh?
Belfast?
Dublin.(Eire)?
Paignton- (I believe both booking and walk-up allowed).
The Safari Parks?
Smaller zoos- (I believe more of these allow walk-in visitors anyway now)
Any recent personal experiences from these or other places welcomed.
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