We are inviting Home Educated families to join us for one of our 2026 Home Educator Days. Go Wild! and join us for a day of discovery whilst taking advantage of discounted admission.

Friday 5th June 2026

🦁Home Educator Self-Guided Visit Day

In conjunction with DZC’s Festival of Change, join us on Friday 5th June 2026 for one of our Home Educator Self-Guided Days and spend the day exploring the Zoo & Castle grounds at your leisure. During your visit you will also have the opportunity to take part in activities in the castle courtyard that explore what change can look like — for wildlife, for our communities, and for the places we call home.

Set in a 40 acre hillside, our zoo surrounds an 11th century castle and is home to many of the world’s endangered species. We offer a daily programme of talks and have a number of walk through animal exhibits including Lemur Wood, Castle Creatures and Lorikeet Lookout. You will be sent a link to an educational resource pack to assist you with your self-guided visit.

Click here for further information on DZC’s Festival of Change.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK THE HOME EDUCATOR SELF-GUIDED VISIT DAY

📑 Important Information – Self-Guided Visit Days

Above costs includes admission to the Zoo & Castle for the day.

Gates open from 10am.

All of these events are open to all home educated children and are suitable for all Key Stages from EYFS to Key Stage Four.

Children aged 0-2 years will receive free Zoo & Castle admission.

Home Educator groups are welcome to join us for this event. Group bookings must be made over the phone . Please call 01384 215313.

Once you have booked your tickets you will be sent a confirmation email, a link to the resource packs for this event can be found at the bottom of this email. *

Please note that our Home Educators Days are classed as special events and there are no concession or complimentary carer tickets available.

You are welcome to make use of the many picnic benches located all around the site. Visitors purchasing food from the Oak Kitchen are welcome to eat inside the restaurant. We can not guarantee that seating will be available within our indoor eating areas for packed lunches on the day of the event however if it is, it will be offered on a first come first served basis.

Dates on tickets cannot be amended and are non-refundable.

📑 Important Information – Workshop Days

Above costs includes admission to the Zoo & Castle for the day and with the workshop events only, the opportunity to take part in a workshop session lead by a member of our Education Team.

Gates open from 10am.

All of these events are open to all home educated children and are suitable for all Key Stages from EYFS to Key Stage Four. Wherever possible we will group children of similar ages together. KS4 students who have turned 16 years need to purchase a child’s admission ticket if they wish to take part in the event.

Children aged 0-2 years will receive free Zoo & Castle admission, however they will not be permitted to take part in the workshops.

Home Educator groups are welcome to join us for this event. Group bookings must be made over the phone . Please call 01384 215313.

The workshop sessions will last approximately 50 minutes and takes place in the Discovery Centre. Some of the sessions may involve some outdoor/touring elements (weather permitting). 

Here at Dudley Zoo & Castle we aim to educate children of all ages about the natural world, conservation and history through the use of natural artefacts including skins, skulls and scales. We therefore no longer include live animals in our classroom based workshops. This is to help ensure that both our learners and our animals’ needs are met. Dudley Zoo & Castle is home to over 1300 animals which you and your students will have the opportunity to see whilst exploring our 40 acre site during your visit.

Once you have booked your tickets, you will be contacted by email by a member of our Education Team with further information & your session time if you booking for the September event. If you wish to be in the same workshop as someone else who is attending the event, please call us quoting all of your booking reference numbers as soon as you have booked.

Please note that our Home Educators Days are classed as special events and there are no concession or complimentary carer tickets available.

You are welcome to make use of the many picnic benches located all around the site. Visitors purchasing food from the Oak Kitchen are welcome to eat inside the restaurant. We can not guarantee that seating will be available within our indoor eating areas for packed lunches on the day of the event however if it is, it will be offered on a first come first served basis.

Dates on tickets cannot be amended and are non-refundable.