Zookeeper For A Day Experience

Zookeeper for a Day Experience in Surrey – Hobbledown Epsom

Step behind the scenes at Hobbledown Epsom in Surrey and discover what it’s really like to be part of a working animal team. Our Zookeeper for a Day experience gives you the opportunity to meet, feed and care for some of our most popular animals alongside our experienced keepers.
Tortoise

Zookeeper For A Day Experience

Age: 6+ (the experience is adapted to suit the age of the participant, children and adults welcome)

Duration: 11am-1pm OR 2pm – 4pm (choose your slot when booking)

Availability: Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday

Includes: Park entry for 2

Price: £95 including park entry for the participant and 1 adult

(+£2.50 booking fee per transaction)

During your Zookeeper for a Day experience, you could come face-to-face with some of Hobbledown’s most fascinating residents, including:

  • Playful Asian short-clawed otters

  • Our lively meerkat mob

  • Von der Decken’s hornbill

  • Vibrant turacos

  • Wallabies

  • Common marmosets

  • Goeldi’s monkeys

  • Ring-tailed lemurs

  • Our family of capybaras

  • Ponies and donkeys

  • And a selection of intriguing creepy crawlies

 Every session is guided by our animal team, and encounters may vary depending on animal welfare and daily routines.

Please note: Activities may change based on animal welfare. Participants should be physically fit due to the nature and demands of the activities. Participants must wear wellies.

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Two capybaras leaning over their pool

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Zookeeper Experience FAQs

All zookeeper experience prices include park entry for the participant and one accompanying adult. Participants will take part in animal care tasks, meet keepers, and learn about animal behaviour as part of their session.

Yes. Zookeeper for the Day at Hobbledown is a popular gift for animal lovers, birthdays and special occasions. Gift vouchers are available and can be redeemed against available dates.

The Zookeeper for the Day experience at Hobbledown Epsom is suitable for children aged 6 years and above, as well as teenagers and adults who love animals. The session is tailored to suit the age and confidence of each participant, ensuring the activities are engaging, educational and appropriate.

It is ideal for young animal enthusiasts, aspiring zookeepers and anyone interested in learning more about animal care in a real zoo setting near London.

Yes. The Zookeeper for the Day experience at Hobbledown Epsom is available for children from 6 years old. Activities are adapted to the participant’s age and experience level, with guidance from our professional animal care team throughout.

Zookeeper for the Day at Hobbledown Epsom in Surrey is a hands-on animal experience where participants work alongside our professional animal care team to learn what it takes to look after zoo and farm animals. The session includes practical tasks, feeding, enrichment activities and learning about animal welfare in a real zoo environment near London.

The Zookeeper for the Day experience takes place at Hobbledown Epsom in Surrey, close to Epsom town centre and easily accessible from London, Surrey, West Sussex and Kent.

Participants may work with a variety of zoo and farm animals. Specific species cannot be guaranteed, as all activities are planned around daily welfare priorities and the needs of the animals on the day.

Yes. Zookeeper for the Day is designed to be a practical experience. Participants may assist with feeding, preparing enrichment, learning about habitats and supporting daily animal care routines under keeper supervision.

The experience runs for two full hours, allowing meaningful time with the animal team and involvement in multiple care activities. Exact timings are confirmed at booking.

The experience includes:

  • Participation in the Zookeeper for the Day session

  • Learning directly from the animal care team

  • Park entry for the participant

  • Entry for one accompanying adult

This allows participants to enjoy the rest of Hobbledown before or after their session.

Entry to Hobbledown Epsom is included in the price for one accompanying adult. Depending on the age of the participant, adults may observe or remain nearby while the session is led by the animal care team.

Yes. The experience provides insight into animal behaviour, habitat management, welfare standards and the daily responsibilities of professional zookeepers. It is particularly valuable for children and teenagers interested in zoology, veterinary science or conservation.

Yes. All sessions are supervised by trained animal care professionals. Activities are designed around strict safety and welfare protocols to protect both participants and animals.

Participants should wear practical outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear such as wellies or boots. Some activities may take place outdoors and involve animal feed or muddy areas.

The experience runs in most weather conditions, as animal care routines continue daily. Participants should dress appropriately for outdoor elements.

Hobbledown Epsom offers a structured, professionally led animal experience within a zoo environment in Epsom in Surrey. With tailored activities from age 6+, hands-on learning and park entry included, it provides a comprehensive and enjoyable animal experience near London for children, teenagers and adults.

Zookeeper Experience Terms & Conditions

  • Disclaimers must be read and signed prior to the experience.
  • Prices for all zookeeper experiences automatically include admission onto the park, for both the participant and one accompanying adult
  • Max 2 people per time slot for Zookeeper experiences.
  • Experiences available throughout the year excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
  • Whilst every effort is made to accommodate everyone, due to the nature of the experience unfortunately at the present time the experience is not suitable for pregnant guests, mothers who are nursing, or guests with immunosuppressant illnesses. This experience may not be suitable for disabilities which impact on motor skills, mobility, or severe learning difficulties.  Please contact us to discuss your individual needs
  • This experience may not be private to your booking; if spaces are available, other participants may join.
  • Free carers do not participate in the experience. Anyone wanting to participate in the experience will need their own experience ticket.
  • T&Cs are subject to change

Annual Passholders

please ensure you are logged into your annual pass account when booking to benefit from your member discount

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