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 2.30pm, 7 days a week. The visit itself will be approximately 1 ½ - 2 hours. 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

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

• Your preferred method of payment

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

Payment

Payment is either a cheque/postal order sent prior to the date set or by bank transfer. Please note we do not have any card machines or card facilities onsite.

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:

• Cancel - Up to 7 days prior to your visit date: 50% of the agreed sum with an additional charge of £22.00 administration fee

• Reschedule – Free of charge

Hygiene, Health and Safety Protocol – COVID-19

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 also be offered disposable polythene gloves to wear. This is an optional precaution (with the exception of the penguin feeding), provided you have complied with the above hand washing/sanitising procedure.

• You will then be escorted, 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.

• Once you have left the premises, the toilet facility you have used will be completely disinfected and cleaned ready for the next visitors.

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 with regards to the penguin feeding and tiger feeding within the packages. All of the packages include a visit in the reptile house, with the opportunity of meeting some of our very friendly reptiles and also a zebra demonstration where you will be able to feed and stroke the zebras.:

PACKAGE 1 – Re. PENGUIN FEEDING:

The penguins will be roaming around you whilst you hand feed them. Polythene gloves are mandatory during the feeding of the penguins, due to the fish oil and hand sanitiser reacting with each other. The handler on the day will assess the situation with regards to petting. There is no age restriction on this package; however anyone under the age of 2 cannot take part in the penguin feeding.

PACKAGE 2 – Re. TIGER FEEDING:

There is a minimum age of 8 years old for this package 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.

Disclaimer:

Although our handlers will abide by 1m+ distancing, if for any reason an animal becomes unsettled or looks as though there is a change in its behaviour, the handler will step in accordingly. We ask that you then respect the 1m+ distance rule by moving away from the animal, however, our handler may still encroach within this 1m – this will be for your own safety and the animal’s welfare.

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.