Marwell Zoo Zoo

Address: Marwell Zoo, Owslebury Hill, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH, UK

Website: https://www.marwell.org.uk/

Hours: Daily (hours vary seasonally; check website)

Admission: Admission charged - see website for current adult prices

Marwell Zoo is a zoological park and wildlife conservation centre in southern England, near Winchester in Hampshire. It combines public exhibits with active conservation and education work.

What you find

Collections include a variety of mammals, birds and reptiles displayed across landscaped enclosures and themed exhibits. The site provides walking trails, animal talks, family activities and education programmes.

Established as a zoo and conservation organisation, the site has developed its breeding and conservation programmes alongside visitor facilities. The operating charity focuses on international and local species conservation work.

Situated to the south of Winchester in Hampshire, the zoo is set in semi-rural grounds with road access from nearby towns and parking for visitors.

• Conservation role: Operated by a conservation charity focused on captive breeding, education and species recovery programmes.
• Visitor facilities: Offers walking paths, animal exhibits and family facilities such as play areas and seasonal events.

Marwell Zoo is located just outside Winchester in Hampshire. By car follow local A‑roads from Winchester (watch for brown tourist signs for Marwell Zoo); the site is about 3-4 miles (5-6 km) from Winchester city centre and is a short drive from the M3/A34 corridors. From Southampton the drive is roughly 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.

By public transport, take a train to Winchester railway station and then use a local taxi or bus link for the short trip to the zoo-direct bus services vary by season, so check local timetables.

• Arrive at opening on weekdays to see many species at their most active and to avoid heavier weekend crowds common at the zoo.
• If you want close-animal experiences (feeds or encounters), book those in advance - popular animal encounters often sell out and are scheduled separately from general admission.
• Head to popular outdoor exhibits (giraffes, big cats) early in your route before midday when visitor flow concentrates around them; check the daily keeper-talk timetable so you can plan quieter gaps.