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Marwell Zoo in Winter Top Tips For A Visit

A couple of weekends ago we took a trip to Marwell Zoo. This seems to have become a habit, visiting Marwell Zoo in the Winter. It is such a wonderful zoo we visit several times a year. You can read our Guide to Marwell Zoo here. Yet we always really enjoy the Marwell wildlife in the colder months. For us, it is the perfect time of year to visit. I thought I would share some reasons and tips below in case you are considering doing the same.

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Reasons to visit Marwell Zoo in the Winter

There are so many reasons to visit the Hampshire Zoo which is located on the edge of the New Forest.

Ticket prices are lower in the Winter even if you tick the gift aid box. The full ticket price for an adult brought online with gift aid is £19 compared to £25 during the Summer months. Children’s prices also benefit from a similar reduction. Marwell Zoo is a conservation charity which works on some amazing projects for the future of wildlife. So the twenty-five percent donation through gift aid is invaluable.
Not only that but during January and February your ticket allows you to visit again within thirty days of purchase at no extra cost.
It gets the kids out in the fresh air and away from all their electronic devices which can be a struggle over the Winter.
Marwell Zoo is less busy. Meaning that the play areas are less hectic. Not only that but it is easier to see all the different animals since you can get closer to the exhibits.
Many of the animals were a lot easier to spot. Preferring to remain inside rather than be off out in the large enclosures. We managed to get a lot closer to some of our favourite animals. Such as the white rhinos and snow leopards.
Being quieter the best bits are that we could get closer to the big cats and their feeding session. I could have watched the Amur Tigers all day. Of course, visiting in the Winter you do need to accept you may not be able to see all the animals. The red pandas were not out when we visited.

Tips for visiting Marwell Zoo in the Winter

Here are our top tips for visiting Marwell Zoo during the Winter time:

Arrive when it opens. During the winter the opening hours are reduced due to the fact it gets dark early. The keepers need time to settle the animals down for the evening. This means that the last entry is mid-afternoon. When we visited in January it was 2.30 pm for non-members.
The road train may not operate in the cold weather due to the ice.
if you can bring a picnic as there are inside picnic areas. We found that with many of the kiosks shut in the Winter months, meaning that The Cafe Graze was extremely busy. It also meant you couldn’t get hot drinks that easily. There is a cafe at the gift shop at the entrance.

Events in the Winter

Along with the usual animals and adventure playgrounds. Marwell normally holds two events. Including the opportunity to meet Father Christmas and Mother Christmas at their Christmas Event. Which normally takes place in Marwell Hall or the manor house.

As well as the new illuminations which made their debut in 2023. We did not manage to make the Glow Marwell debut this year. But intend on visiting the annual Winter lights display in 2024. The map was still up at the entrance and it looked to have everything that you would expect from a light trail. With Christmas food cabins, fire pits, snow machines, immersive displays, a multicoloured light tunnel and a magical display of Christmas Trees. Make sure you purchase your Glow Marwell ticket in advance as I am sure it will be a sellout.

We had such a good day when we visited Marwell during the Winter season. The white rhinos and getting close to the zebra has to be a lasting memory of the day. Topping it off with a stay in the Marwell Hotel opposite. Although this has nothing to do with the outdoor attraction.

Have you visited a zoo in the Winter? Let me know about your tips for visiting in the Winter below.