Dudley Zoo and Castle – Get closer to the world's rarest animals

WE'RE OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 10 AM. LAST ADMISSION IS 2 PM AND THE GROUNDS CLOSE AT 4.30 PM.

Phone lines are manned Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.

We recommend that you pre-book your tickets via our online booking system. There may be a number of tickets available on the gate subject to availability on the day. However, we recommend that you book in advance to avoid disappointment as pay on the day tickets are limited.

Tickets can be purchased HERE!

(Please read the Important Information page, before clicking on the link at the bottom of the page to continue with your purchase)

Please note that from Friday 10th December, face masks are mandatory in all indoor areas and exhibits - ie, the Safari Gift Shop, Reptile House, Farm Barn, Castle Creatures, Giraffe House, indoor Chimp viewing area and Primate Houses.

#YourZoosNeedYou

DZC runs as a not for profit charity relying on ticket sales in order to operate and care for our many exotic species. Due to the COVID-19 virus we've been closed for seven months during the last year and it's been a troubling time. Please consider still making a donation, every little helps!

Did you know?

the upkeep and care of one lemur costs £1 a day and an ape is £5 per day
to care for the giraffes for one day costs £15
the upkeep of the sloth for one week costs £20
to care for the lions for one week costs £100
to care for the sea lions for one week costs £250
to feed and care for our penguins for one month costs £1,200

DONATE NOW

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DZCanimalcarefund, you can post a cheque made payable to Dudley Zoo (Castle Hill, Dudley,DY1 4QF) or you can also donate by text:

To donate £1, text DZC19 to 70201
To donate £3, text DZC19 to 70331
To donate £5, text DZC19 to 70970
To donate £10, text DZC19 to 70191

ABOUT US

DZC is unique… a home to more than 1300 animals, and has nigh on 200 species, including some of the rarest creatures on Planet Earth.

DZC is much more than a zoo

Hundreds of exotic and endangered animals inhabit an ancient wooded hillside, with a rich geological history, around the ruins of the 11th century Dudley Castle and share a site with the world’s largest single collection of Modernist Tecton structures – and the country’s only vintage chairlift!

Education and Conservation

Our aim is to provide our visitors, via our education and conservation activities, with an understanding and awareness of all elements of this unique site, the history of the castle and the geology, the importance of the architectural design of the Tectons, and the opportunity to get closer to the world’s rarest animals.

History

The zoo which opened in May 1937, covers an area of approximately 40 acres. This unique site includes two scheduled monuments – an 11th century castle and limestone caverns – and 12 Grade 2 listed Tecton buildings (four Grade 2*).

The idea to convert Dudley Castle's grounds into zoological gardens came from its then owner, the third Earl of Dudley, who chose a team of Modernist architects to design the zoo. Using reinforced concrete they created a revolutionary new design of building: Tectons.

The structures have stood the test of time and eight decades on Dudley Zoo has the world's largest single collection of Tectons, which in 2009 received World Monument Status.

Today the Tectons are boosted by a variety of animal housing, paddocks and enclosures which are home to our wide variety of 200 species.

Much of the animal collection is linked to international conservation and breeding programmes and several of our global projects have received awards. Endangered species include Asiatic lions, Sumatran tigers, Bornean orang utans, Tibetan red pandas, Rothschild giraffes, Madagascan lemurs and Humboldt penguins – DZC has the UK's largest parent-reared colony.