Changes to Entry and other requirements for visitors to UK zoos from Monday 19th July.

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Pertinax

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
I'm interested to know what changes, if any, the various zoos are making after the Gov't Covid rules are (effectively) scrapped on July 19th. For example, which zoos are reverting to allowing non-booked entry for ordinary non-member-type visitors? What other restrictions remain in place? Please report anything you come across here....
 
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Remember that this date is only 'Freedom Day' (sic) in England.
I suspect that many zoos will get rather busy, particularly if they decide to increase the numbers of tickets available when the school holidays start. The websites of Cotswold and ZSL don't say anything specifically about the 19th, except that ZSL has opened all indoor areas, but insists on masks indoors and in walk-throughs, and ZSL has relaxed some booking conditions for members, fellows and patrons.
Personally I am vacillating: in optimistic moments, I think this is not going to be the best time visit a zoo because it is likely to be hot and crowded (and I recall getting mild heatstroke at Paignton last summer). However, perversely, when I'm pessimistic, I think I ought to to take the chance to visit while I can, because I am afraid that the rising numbers of infections and deaths are signs that Boris has got it wrong again and when the next variant comes along (as it will) we may slide back down the snake into Lockdown again.
 
Paignton - everyone has to continue booking time slots until 5 September, with the number of tickets available increased. Masks are optional.
 
gentle lemur said:
I think this is not going to be the best time visit a zoo because it is likely to be hot and crowded (and I recall getting mild heatstroke at Paignton last summer). However, perversely, when I'm pessimistic, I think I ought to to take the chance to visit while I can, because I am afraid that the rising numbers of infections and deaths are signs that Boris has got it wrong again and when the next variant comes along (as it will) we may slide back down the snake into Lockdown again.
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I haven't visited a zoo* since just before the first lockdown(Whipsnade) and I'm not really contemplating any visits during the hot(?) summer months/holiday time either- I rarely visit then anyway. But I am interested to see how organisation regarding restrictions plays out around the country's zoos relative to the changes in this most recent 'government guidance'/legislation. Maybe some zoos too think they may have to resurrect all the restrictions in the not so distant future also.... So far I haven't found much in the way of announcements about it on the zoo websites I've looked at, one said it was making its one-way system 'voluntary' and all indoor houses will be open.

* I lie. I had a family visit to Bourton and took in Birdland last summer.
 
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Here's one- from the Monkey World thread- visitors will be asked to continue wearing masks at all times from Monday, to protect the primates. I guess MW is rather an exception in this request though.
 
The details of changes at Dudley were posted on the Dudley Zoo news 2021 thread by Benosaurus. Basically, online pre-booking will contine through the summer but members and ticket holders no longer need to book. Face masks are required in lemur walkthrough but optional in indoor areas. All areas will be open; land train, chairlift and on site catering operating as normal; and the one way route will no longer be mandatory.

Hoping to go sometime during the summer but it will depend on how the infection rates change and I would opt to wear a mask in indoor areas.

Easing of on-site restrictions – Dudley Zoo and Castle
 
When I saw that Paignton still requires pre-booking, my first thought was 'oh no, I can't be bothered' as my recent visits have been less than satisfactory and school holidays are best avoided. But there is the fear at the back of one's mind that we'll all be imprisoned again so should make the most of things. I really need to visit Colchester so it looks as though I'll have to grin and bear it sooner rather than later. They require pre-booking, for which there is a fee, unless you're a pass holder. Their prices increase on 22 July.
 
Freedom Day at Paignton - one quite fast queue leading to three open gates; pass holders told that a gate just for them wasn't yet ready - still have to book in advance though. Some people put masks on. No one way systems round the zoo or queues to get into the tropical and desert houses (didn't get as far as Croc Swamp but presumably the same applied there). Lots of tables in the restaurant and the return of the help yourself to condiments, cutlery etc counter.
 
Gigit said:
Freedom Day at Paignton - one quite fast queue leading to three open gates; pass holders told that a gate just for them wasn't yet ready - still have to book in advance though. Some people put masks on. No one way systems round the zoo or queues to get into the tropical and desert houses (didn't get as far as Croc Swamp but presumably the same applied there). Lots of tables in the restaurant and the return of the help yourself to condiments, cutlery etc counter.
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Have they taken away all the 'keep xxx distance' type signage away as well?
 
Paignton - the annual pass holders' gate was open today so we sailed past the queue. A minority of people wearing masks and social distancing is a thing of the past. Later, I tried for the third time this week to book slots for August. I'd given up before because the website appears to have been redesigned and is now glacially slow. It took 14 minutes for the 'Book Your Tickets' page to show and then another couple of minutes for the page where you can actually book. Bookings for August are for hourly slots rather than the 30 minute ones they've had since reopening, and for many more visitors.
I've also booked for two visits to Colchester without any problems, although neither PZ nor Colchester expect you to want to visit more than once and you have to return to the beginning of the process for each date. For PZ you just need your booking number when you turn up, for Colchester you're sent a QR code.
While I was waiting for PZ's website to stir itself, the screen showed what was on the website, bearing in mind it's now called the Wild Planet Trust - Wild Events, Wild Conservation, Wild Learning, Wild Gifts and Experiences, Wild News, Wild Day Out. For anyone old enough to remember Not The Nine O'Clock news - wild? I was furious ;)
 
Colchester - good news (for me, at least) Animal Encounters (keeper talks) have restarted.
 
Cotswold have reopened the Tropical House and the Madagascar walk-through and the train is now running a restricted service. They recommend advanced booking of e-tickets, but these are only released 4 days in advance, to give people the opportunity of checking the weather forecast before booking - which is rather unusual, but seems sensible. So I checked the forecast and bought a ticket for Monday 26th :)
 
Went to Blackpool on Thursday everything was open apart lemur walkway and possibly the camel house but think that's more to do with maitance. Anybody know if the reptiles are still inside the old elephant house now the camel house? Social distancing and masks by visitors completley gone. Was amazed to see every member of staff wearing masks inside and outside this must have something to do with management as when I visited the bars and theater later in the day didn't see one member of staff with masks.
 
Was just reading the regular blog of the Tropiquaria zoo near Minehead. They say you don't have to book anymore. Any others joining them yet?
 
Pertinax said:
Was just reading the regular blog of the Tropiquaria zoo near Minehead. They say you don't have to book anymore. Any others joining them yet?
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I visited both Sewerby Hall and Bridlington Animal Park the other week on a complete whim while in the area and neither required pre-booking. Sewerby had a bit more of a 'booking preferred' situation but there was no problem at all going in as a walk-up.
 
Maguari said:
I visited both Sewerby Hall and Bridlington Animal Park the other week on a complete whim while in the area and neither required pre-booking. Sewerby had a bit more of a 'booking preferred' situation but there was no problem at all going in as a walk-up.
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Good for you...;) I suspect quite a few places will no longer turn away 'walk-ups' if they get them, but it would be interesting to hear of any that do. Btw saw a video of your black stork someone took, but they took six visits to see it...
 
Pertinax said:
Btw saw a video of your black stork someone took, but they took six visits to see it...
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On the day I went to the Brid zoos my main order of business was Bempton, not least because of the albatross. I saw it on my first attempt and as soon as I got to the viewpoint but there was a man there who was on his third attempt with a 6hr round trip each time..! (he was saying he'd have to find an albatross conservation programme to donate to by way of offsetting the carbon involved! Generally I work on no more than 1hr out of my way for a 'twitch' - but there are a few sites (like Bempton and Frampton) that are worth the trip regardless so get a pass. And reliable vagrant pinnipeds are exempt ;) )
 
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