Bristol Zoo Project is an expansive wildlife conservation park located on Blackhorse Hill in Bristol, England. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
Along with Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire, Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland and Chester Zoo near Manchester, it’s one of the most famous zoos in Britain.
This guide was last updated in April 2026 and reflects the current £24.54 base adult admission rate.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Ticket prices | Adults from £24.54; Children from £19.77 (online) |
| Address | Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site car park / Cribbs Causeway bus stops |
| Typical time needed to visit | 3 to 4 hours |
Bristol Zoo Project opening hours
Bristol Zoo Project is open to visitors daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. These hours apply throughout the majority of the year, though the park occasionally extends its closing times during the peak summer school holidays.
The site is open every day of the year with the exception of Christmas Day. Last entry to the park is typically permitted one hour before the official closing time to allow visitors sufficient time to exit the grounds.
Bristol Zoo Project ticket prices
Standard adult admission to Bristol Zoo Project costs £27.00 with a voluntary charitable donation, or £24.54 without the donation. Children aged 2 to 14 cost £21.75 with a donation or £19.77 without, while children under the age of two enter for free. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026.
Bristol Zoo Project is not currently included in any multi-attraction city pass schemes. Visitors planning to see other regional attractions like the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol Aquarium or Aerospace Bristol will need to purchase separate admission for each venue.
How to get to Bristol Zoo Project
You can reach Bristol Zoo Project by driving to the northern outskirts of Bristol, located just off Junction 17 of the M5 motorway. The entrance is situated on Blackhorse Hill, positioned very close to the large retail park at Cribbs Causeway.
For visitors using public transport, several local bus services, including the 1, 2, and M4 Metrobus, run regularly from Bristol city centre and Bristol Parkway Station to Cribbs Causeway. From the Cribbs Causeway bus terminal, the zoo entrance is a 10 to 15-minute walk along the adjacent pedestrian pavement.
Parking at Bristol Zoo Project
Free parking for Bristol Zoo Project is provided in a large, dedicated surface car park located immediately outside the main entrance. The car park accommodates standard vehicles, minibuses, and coaches, and operates without hourly charges or exit barriers.
There are six designated Blue Badge parking bays located on the hard standing closest to the admission gates. These bays provide step-free access to the main entrance, though visitors must navigate a sloped pathway to reach the ticket desks.
How long to spend at Bristol Zoo Project
A typical visit to Bristol Zoo Project takes between three and four hours. The site spans a large area of open parkland and ancient woodland, requiring significant walking to cover all the distinct animal habitats.
Families with young children who plan to spend time in the Explorers Basecamp play area, use the interactive Barefoot Trail, or stop for a picnic should allocate a full five-hour day for their trip.
Accessibility at Bristol Zoo Project
Bristol Zoo Project provides a mix of paved tarmac paths and natural woodland trails. While the site is generally accessible to wheelchair users and pushchairs, its location in a natural setting means some peripheral paths feature loose gravel or uneven surfaces.
The park offers manual wheelchairs for hire, which should be reserved in advance by calling the visitor experience team, and motorised mobility scooters are permitted throughout the grounds. To improve access, the animal viewing houses are designed without heavy doors.
Inside Bristol Zoo Project
The interior of Bristol Zoo Project focuses on large, immersive habitats spread across open parkland. A primary highlight is Bear Wood, where visitors follow an elevated timber treetop walkway to observe European brown bears, wolves, lynxes, and wolverines roaming in a shared, ancient woodland enclosure below.
The African section features expansive grazing areas where giraffes, zebras, and elands share a mixed habitat. Nearby, visitors can observe cheetahs and gelada baboons in distinct enclosures designed to mimic their natural environments.
The Lemur Walkthrough allows visitors to walk directly along the same paths as free-roaming ring-tailed, mongoose, and ruffed lemurs without any glass or mesh separating them from the animals.
For younger visitors, Explorers Basecamp is a large, multi-level conservation-themed play area featuring a companion slide, floor trampolines, a racing zipline, and a wheelchair-accessible roundabout.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Visitor Advice |
| Timing | Arrive shortly after the 10:00 am opening to secure convenient parking and see the animals during their morning routines. |
| Crowds | The Bear Wood treetop walkway becomes highly congested by midday; navigate this area first upon arrival. |
| Layout | Pick up a physical map at the ticket desk to efficiently navigate the large distances between the different geographical zones. |
| Entry process | Pre-book your tickets online to guarantee entry on busy weekends and bypass the physical ticket purchasing queue. |
| On-site logistics | Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes, as the site involves extensive walking on natural and occasionally muddy woodland trails. |
Frequently asked questions about Bristol Zoo Project
| Question | Answer |
| Is Bristol Zoo Project suitable for children? | Yes, the site is highly family-friendly, featuring animal walkthrough exhibits, a sensory Barefoot Trail, and the Explorers Basecamp play area. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Bristol Zoo Project? | Walk-in tickets are available, but booking online guarantees entry on peak days and speeds up the admission process. |
| Is Bristol Zoo Project open on Sundays? | Yes, the park is open to visitors every Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. |
| Are bags allowed at Bristol Zoo Project? | Yes, standard backpacks and packed lunches are permitted, with various outdoor picnic areas located around the grounds. |
Things to do near Bristol Zoo Project
- Aerospace Bristol: An aviation museum located a short drive away, featuring historic aircraft and the last Concorde ever to fly.
- The Mall at Cribbs Causeway: A major indoor shopping and dining complex situated less than a mile from the zoo entrance.
- The Wave: An inland surfing destination in North Bristol featuring a large artificial wave pool suitable for all skill levels.
- Blaise Castle Estate: A 400-acre public parkland featuring a 19th-century mansion, an ornamental folly, and extensive woodland walking trails.
- Planet Ice Bristol: A large indoor ice-skating rink located nearby in the Cribbs Causeway leisure and retail district.
More South-West England travel
Other South-West England travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Visitor guide to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath.
- Learn the witch legend at the Wookey Hole Caves.
- What to know before visiting Cleeve Abbey in Somerset.
- Will the monkeys at Longleat damage your car?
- Plan your visit to Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire.
