Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World Telford: 100+ Animals & Animatronic Dinos

A Zoo That Doesn't Feel Like a Zoo, Plus Dinosaurs That Surprised Even the TV Guy

You get entry to over 100 animal species, 45 animatronic dinosaurs, and access to 15 daily talks and feeding activities: all at a family-run zoo that doesn't feel corporate or rushed. You choose your own pace, which talks to catch, and how long to stay. No transport to arrange, no hidden costs once you're inside.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World

• See over 100 animal species
• Experience 45 animatronic dinosaurs
• Attend 15 animal talks and feedings
• Walkthrough animal habitats
• Get close to lemurs and wallabies

The experience

The moment you walk in, you notice something's different. There's no corporate polish, no sense that you're being herded through a machine designed to extract maximum spend. Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World sits near Telford (close enough to Birmingham for a day trip), and it's family-run in a way that actually changes how it feels. Over 100 animal species are scattered across the grounds: wolves, lynx, meerkats, capybaras, lemurs, wallabies. You move at your own pace between them, and there's no script.

What makes it odd is the dinosaurs. Forty-five of them, animatronic and positioned throughout the zoo, and they're unsettling in the best way: realistic enough that TV presenter Nigel Marven said they were the most convincing he'd encountered. You're not expecting that level of detail when you're looking at a real capybara two minutes earlier. The contrast is part of what sticks with you. Throughout the day, over 15 talks and feeding activities happen at set times: reptile handling, ostrich feeding, deer encounters, wallaby walks (weekends and school holidays). You choose which ones to catch, which ones to skip. Nothing's mandatory.

The conservation message runs through everything. It's not tacked on, it's woven into how the place operates. You're not just watching animals. You're learning why they matter. On weekends and holidays, you can walk through habitats with lemurs and wallabies close enough to really see them. Weekdays are quieter, which some people prefer. The zoo's ranked #2 on review sites for UK zoos in both 2023 and 2024, and it's not hard to see why once you're there. It doesn't feel like most zoos feel.

Your ticket covers the full day, so you're not racing against closing time. Bring comfortable shoes and plan for at least four to five hours if you want to catch a few talks and move without rushing. The site is wheelchair accessible, and strollers work fine on the paths.

What’s included

Your ticket includes full-day admission to Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World, access to all 100+ animal species, the 45 animatronic dinosaurs and ice age beasts, and entry to the 15+ talks and feeding activities running throughout the day. Walkthrough habitats with lemurs and wallabies are included on weekends and school holidays.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Thursday and FridayDeparts at 10:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (2 to 15 years) · Infant (under 2): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World

Is this one for you?Right for families, groups, or anyone wanting a full day with animals and dinosaurs without the corporate-zoo feeling: the family-run approach and flexible schedule mean you move at your own pace and choose which activities to join.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 15 years); Infant (under 2): free.

How long should I plan to spend at Hoo Zoo?

Most visitors spend 4–6 hours to see the main animals and catch a few talks. You can stay longer or shorter depending on your pace and which activities interest you.

Can I walk through habitats with animals?

Yes, on weekends and school holidays you can walk through habitats with lemurs and wallabies. Weekdays don't include these walkthrough experiences.

Are the dinosaurs real?

No, they're animatronic: 45 of them positioned throughout the zoo. They're designed to be realistic and are part of the Dinosaur World section.

What animals can I see?

Over 100 species including wolves, lynx, meerkats, capybaras, lemurs, wallabies, deer, ostriches, and reptiles. The full list is available on the zoo's website.

Is the zoo wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the site is wheelchair accessible throughout.

Do I need to book talks and activities in advance?

No. Over 15 talks and feeding activities happen daily at set times. You can join whichever ones you want on the day.