Group bookings for
schools and clubs
Enquire about booking a group visit
Email usEnquire about booking a group visitGroup bookings for
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School groups
Inspire your students by bringing them along to the Animal Zone to explore, learn and get up close with some of our animals in a safe, accessible, and fun environment.
We can tailor your visit to focus on specific areas of curriculum interest for early years children through to key stage 2. As part of the visit, children will take part in guided animal encounter sessions where they will get the opportunity to meet, handle and learn about a range of animals we have here at the Animal Zone.
Sessions will vary depending on the weather and the ages of the children. We aim to break the animal encounter time down into smaller 20-minute demonstrations with periods of playtime and craft activities as well as allowing time for refreshments if needed.
A sample itinerary includes:
- 12pm – Arrival at the Animal Zone
- Welcome talk
- Health and safety
- Animal encounters
- 1.50pm – Preparation to leave the Animal Zone.
Availability:
We offer afternoon sessions on Wednesday’s during term time running from 12pm-2pm. Please note, sessions can be extended to give time for a before or after picnic lunch in our picnic areas if required, please mention when booking if this is something you require.
Please get in touch if this day is not suitable and we can discuss any alternative days available.
Prices for school groups:
- £4.00 per child
- £4.50 per adult
Please note that all group bookings will include a 20% VAT charge.
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After school sessions
Calling all scout leaders and brown owls. Do you have a pack of young people who would like to come along and meet our animals, learn about animal care and work on their badges?
We have weekday group sessions available Monday – Wednesday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm. These sessions are suitable for rainbow, brownie, beaver, cub or similar groups and can be tailored to be just for fun or to meet the requirements of badges or alternative goals if desired.
An example evening activity could include:
- Feeding and watering of all mammals (eg. rabbits and guinea pigs)
- Handling and health checks with small mammals
- Cleaning out of small animal enclosures.
We can also offer similar reptile and invertebrate based activities if preferred.
All sessions will be fully supervised by our experienced keepers.
Availability:
These sessions are available to book every Monday – Wednesday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm. All group sessions must be booked in advance, please get in touch if these days are not suitable and we can discuss any alternative days we have available.After school group prices:
- £3.00 per child, per session
- £2.00 per adult, per session
Minimum group size 10 children per group
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Outreach visits
We can bring the zoo to you!
Our outreach visits are an exciting opportunity for your school or community group to learn about and handle some of the fantastic creatures we have here at the Animal Zone in your own setting. Whether it is a school, care home or community centre setting, we have something for everyone.
Outreach sessions are 60 minutes and can be tailored to the group’s educational needs or interests. For education, we can tailor your session to focus on specific areas of curriculum interest for early years children through to key Stage 2, if desired.
Animals included in our outreach visits may include:
- Small mammals (e.g. rabbits)
- Snakes and lizards
- Minibeasts (e.g. spiders)
Price:
- £40 per 1 hour session (plus travel expenses)
Outreach visits available within a 15-mile radius of the Animal Zone, ST19 5PH.
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Group booking FAQs
What do we do if it rains, do you have indoor areas?
Around half of the Animal Zone’s enclosures are undercover and our encounter sessions that are part of your visit will also take place inside of our education room, so there is plenty to see and do, even if it does rain. We can also offer groups an indoor space to eat their picnics if needed.
Do you have somewhere we can store our bags and packed lunches while we are visiting the Animal Zone?
Yes, bags can be stored for groups during your visit in either our visitors centre or the education room. The rooms will be locked when unattended, however, all items that are left are done so at the owner’s risk.
How many school groups do you host at a time?
To provide exclusive access to the Animal Zone and ensure the best possible learning experience for all groups, we only accept one group booking per session (am or pm) per day.
Do you have toilet facilities available?
Yes, there are toilet facilities available within the Animal Zone. We also have additional handwashing facilities located around the zone.
Do you have an outdoor picnic area?
Yes, we have an outdoor picnic and play area where you can enjoy your lunch.What curriculum can be supported?
We aim to support all groups with tailored educational visits for early years children to key stage 2. Please let us know prior to your visit if there is an area of interest you would like us to focus on and will arrange for the session to cover what you need.
Can you provide souvenir packs for the children?
Yes, for an additional fee, we can prepare souvenir packs for your group. As these will need to be prepared in advance, please let us know at the point of booking if you are interested and we can discuss gift options and cost per child.
-
School groups
Inspire your students by bringing them along to the Animal Zone to explore, learn and get up close with some of our animals in a safe, accessible, and fun environment.
We can tailor your visit to focus on specific areas of curriculum interest for early years children through to key stage 2. As part of the visit, children will take part in guided animal encounter sessions where they will get the opportunity to meet, handle and learn about a range of animals we have here at the Animal Zone.
Sessions will vary depending on the weather and the ages of the children. We aim to break the animal encounter time down into smaller 20-minute demonstrations with periods of playtime and craft activities as well as allowing time for refreshments if needed.
A sample itinerary includes:
- 12pm – Arrival at the Animal Zone
- Welcome talk
- Health and safety
- Animal encounters
- 1.50pm – Preparation to leave the Animal Zone.
Availability:
We offer afternoon sessions on Wednesday’s during term time running from 12pm-2pm. Please note, sessions can be extended to give time for a before or after picnic lunch in our picnic areas if required, please mention when booking if this is something you require.
Please get in touch if this day is not suitable and we can discuss any alternative days available.
Prices for school groups:
- £4.00 per child
- £4.50 per adult
Please note that all group bookings will include a 20% VAT charge.
-
After school sessions
Calling all scout leaders and brown owls. Do you have a pack of young people who would like to come along and meet our animals, learn about animal care and work on their badges?
We have weekday group sessions available Monday – Wednesday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm. These sessions are suitable for rainbow, brownie, beaver, cub or similar groups and can be tailored to be just for fun or to meet the requirements of badges or alternative goals if desired.
An example evening activity could include:
- Feeding and watering of all mammals (eg. rabbits and guinea pigs)
- Handling and health checks with small mammals
- Cleaning out of small animal enclosures.
We can also offer similar reptile and invertebrate based activities if preferred.
All sessions will be fully supervised by our experienced keepers.
Availability:
These sessions are available to book every Monday – Wednesday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm. All group sessions must be booked in advance, please get in touch if these days are not suitable and we can discuss any alternative days we have available.After school group prices:
- £3.00 per child, per session
- £2.00 per adult, per session
Minimum group size 10 children per group
-
Outreach visits
We can bring the zoo to you!
Our outreach visits are an exciting opportunity for your school or community group to learn about and handle some of the fantastic creatures we have here at the Animal Zone in your own setting. Whether it is a school, care home or community centre setting, we have something for everyone.
Outreach sessions are 60 minutes and can be tailored to the group’s educational needs or interests. For education, we can tailor your session to focus on specific areas of curriculum interest for early years children through to key Stage 2, if desired.
Animals included in our outreach visits may include:
- Small mammals (e.g. rabbits)
- Snakes and lizards
- Minibeasts (e.g. spiders)
Price:
- £40 per 1 hour session (plus travel expenses)
Outreach visits available within a 15-mile radius of the Animal Zone, ST19 5PH.
-
Group booking FAQs
What do we do if it rains, do you have indoor areas?
Around half of the Animal Zone’s enclosures are undercover and our encounter sessions that are part of your visit will also take place inside of our education room, so there is plenty to see and do, even if it does rain. We can also offer groups an indoor space to eat their picnics if needed.
Do you have somewhere we can store our bags and packed lunches while we are visiting the Animal Zone?
Yes, bags can be stored for groups during your visit in either our visitors centre or the education room. The rooms will be locked when unattended, however, all items that are left are done so at the owner’s risk.
How many school groups do you host at a time?
To provide exclusive access to the Animal Zone and ensure the best possible learning experience for all groups, we only accept one group booking per session (am or pm) per day.
Do you have toilet facilities available?
Yes, there are toilet facilities available within the Animal Zone. We also have additional handwashing facilities located around the zone.
Do you have an outdoor picnic area?
Yes, we have an outdoor picnic and play area where you can enjoy your lunch.What curriculum can be supported?
We aim to support all groups with tailored educational visits for early years children to key stage 2. Please let us know prior to your visit if there is an area of interest you would like us to focus on and will arrange for the session to cover what you need.
Can you provide souvenir packs for the children?
Yes, for an additional fee, we can prepare souvenir packs for your group. As these will need to be prepared in advance, please let us know at the point of booking if you are interested and we can discuss gift options and cost per child.
Animal Encounters
