FAQs

The Zoo is open between 10am – 4pm. Please check the website banner for the latest information on which days. Last entry is 1 hour 15 minutes before closing.

Very occasionally the Zoo may be closed due to extreme weather or other events, please check our website home page.

We accept all major debit and credit cards other than American Express. There is no charge for their use.

Unfortunately we do not have a cash point available on site.

We do take card payments.

Yes you can. We offer various packages for events held here at Dartmoor Zoo. To find out more, please click here. 

Yes you can. For information about the vast range of types of volunteering here at Dartmoor Zoo, please click here. 

The minimum age for a senior admission concession ticket or senior membership to the Zoo is 60 years of age.

If you do not have your valid student card on the day of your visit, you are still able to get a student ticket concession if you have the NUS or UNiDAYS app that shows both your photo and expiry date.

Unfortunately we do not currently allow free entry for Blue Peter badge holders.

Yes. We can accommodate large groups

Contact us on 01752837645 for details on discounts.

We accept any of the below as a form of ID for our disabled concession prices:

• Disability living allowance letter
• Blue Badge
• P.I.P award documentation
• For more information on our disability concession and carer tickets, please click here.

Please note that whist our site is accessible, it is on a hill, so some paths are steep. Some of the narrower paths are gravel based.

If you’re driving from the A38, take the Deep Lane turn off signed for Plympton, follow the signs for ‘Wildlife Park’ from the roundabout at Chaddlewood. This will take you past Langage Business Park to Sparkwell Village which we are just on the far side of.

If you are arriving from Plympton, continue on the B3416 towards the Chaddlewood roundabout, then continue straight on towards Sparkwell Village.

Once you get to Sparkwell, drive through the village and you will find us approximately 300 yards further on.

For Sat Navs: PL7 5DG

You can also find directions to Dartmoor Zoo here.

We offer free parking adjacent to the main entrance. Accessible parking facilities are also available outside the Jaguar Restaurant at the top of the drive. Should you wish to make use of our accessible parking, please first pay or show your pre-paid ticket at the main entrance gate before proceeding to the top of the drive.

Please note users of the car parks do so at their own risk. The charity will not accept liability for any accidents, damage or loss incurred.

No, members don’t need to pre-book. Just turn up with your membership card and have a great day with us.

Please check the website or call us on 01752 837645 to make sure we are open on your preferred day.

Yes. You can join us as a member here.

You will receive a confirmation email straight away which you can then use as proof of membership when visiting.

If you haven’t received a card yet, please don’t worry – your confirmation email or letter together with a valid form of photo ID will be all the proof we need.

If you would like another confirmation sent to you, please email us and a member of the team will look into your membership card delay.

Visit the Jaguar Restaurant where there’s a little something for everyone.

Mid-morning, pop in for a steaming hot cup of coffee and delicious slice of cake.

Join us for lunch with a selection of freshly made sandwiches and pasties. Or enjoy one of our more substantial meals.

Our specials menu changes daily, but can include a variety of options from quiches to curries. Please note we cater for any dietary needs, and can change most menu food items to cater to your specific requirements.

Grab and go with a Jungle Lunchbox for the children.

Ice creams, donuts and hot drinks are also available at our kiosk.

To find out more click here.

You’re welcome to bring a picnic with you during your visit to Dartmoor Zoo.

We have a large picnic area surrounded by big cats!

Baby changing facilities are located in our Jaguar Restaurant toilet area.

If you wish to visit your car, please let a member of staff know at the entrance gate before you leave for re-entry, and keep your receipt with you.

All smoking (including but not limited to cigarettes, pipes (including water pipes such as shisha and hookah pipes), cigars, herbal cigarettes and e-cigs/e-cigarettes) is strictly prohibited in or near the following locations;

• Animal enclosures
• Animal demonstration areas
• Covered spaces or buildings
• Food or drink outlets
• Picnic areas

Children can let off some stream on our upcycled materials children’s play areas.

Parents and guardians are required to supervise children in their care at all times.

Whilst we hope that you are able to spot as many different animals as possible during your visit, just like us, animals like to have some peace and quiet and our enclosures are designed to give them a place they can relax which can make it harder to spot them. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that you will see all of the animals that we’re home to at the Zoo on a particular day.

This often depends on the nature of the animal – if you do not spot an animal when you visit their enclosure, please allow time to re-visit that animal later in the day as they will be active at different times of the day.

With the largest collection of big cats in the South West, you are very likely to see our tiger, lion, jaguar, and leopard as well as cheetah, lynx and wildcat when visiting us.

In the event of a weather warning forecast, it is likely that our big cats will not be on show. Please keep an eye on our website and social media accounts for the latest information.

All of our animals have different feeding and diet plans, so are fed at different times during the day.

To give our animals the most natural life possible, and for their welfare, we do not handle the majority of our animals.

We offer animal experiences allowing you to get closer to some of our animals, including meerkats, tiger, otters and more.

To find out more about our experiences, please click here.

The majority of Dartmoor Zoo is accessible for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties.

Please note that whilst nearly all of the Zoo is accessible to wheelchairs and buggies, it is quite rugged and some of our paths are very steep. Caution should be exercised, and our team are ready to help when you need – just ask.

The driveway into the Zoo is steep, so if you require any assistance, please talk to our gate assistant! We have accessibility parking available at the top of the drive, adjacent to our Jaguar Restaurant.

We have a mobility scooter available to hire for a charge of £5 for the day, plus a £20 refundable deposit, which will be refunded when the scooter is returned undamaged. We also have wheelchairs available if the scooter has already been pre-booked (£20 deposit). Please call our team ahead of your visit to book, on 01752 837645 or email us.

At Dartmoor Zoo, animal welfare is our top priority and it is for this reason that we do not allow dogs on site or to be left in cars in our car park.

Assistance Dogs 

To support the experience of guests with assistance dogs, there are a number of measures put in place at Dartmoor Zoo to ensure the health and welfare of our animals and the guest’s assistance dog.

Biosecurity

There is a potential risk of infectious diseases to our animals carried by assistance dogs, we therefore request:

• Assistance dogs must be enrolled on a standard canine vaccination program as advised by their vet and are up to date with all doses (this includes inoculations, flea and worm treatment/parasite treatment);
• Assistance dogs must not have shown any signs of disease including vomiting or diarrhoea in the last 24 hours.
• All faeces must be immediately cleaned up and disposed of appropriately.
• Assistance dogs are not permitted to enter the walkthrough exhibit.
• Assistance dogs are not permitted to have any contact with zoo animals directly or through fences or barriers.

Animal behaviour and welfare

There is the potential for dogs to cause stress or distress to zoo animals, or stress caused to the dog by being in the presence of zoo animals, we therefore request:

• All dogs must be well trained and kept under the close control of a responsible handler.
• Dogs are not permitted at zoo animal handling sessions, displays or other situations where the dog would be in close proximity to zoo animals which are outside of a secure enclosure where the presence of the dog may distress zoo animals or affect their behaviour.
• When booking an experience you must provide advance notice that an assistance dog will be attending. Some experiences are not able to accommodate an assistance dog.
• If your dog starts barking or growling you must move to an area where no zoo animals are present until the animal stops vocalising. The exception is for assistance dogs alerting their owners that they are about to collapse, in which case staff will provide assistance to the owner.
• If the dog is obviously causing distress to any zoo animals you must move from the area immediately. Dartmoor Zoo has the right to ask assistance dogs to leave if they are causing disruption or distress.
• If the dog has an identification jacket or harness they should wear it to allow staff and other guests to be aware of its assistance role.

If you would like more information or have any queries, contact our team on 01752 837645 or email us.

Adopting an animal at Dartmoor Zoo is a fantastic way to support our conservation work, and learn more about your favourite animal.

For more information about adopting an animal, please click here.