What happens if it rains during an animal experience?

Our animal experiences take place outdoors and run in all seasons, so please dress appropriately for the weather on the day.

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities, including:

  • Long-sleeved tops – helpful for protection from scratches and sun exposure

  • Trousers – comfortable and practical for moving around the enclosures

  • Trainers or closed-toe shoes – required for safety

  • Weather-appropriate clothing – such as sun cream in warm weather, or wellies and a waterproof coat if conditions are wet

Being prepared for the weather will help ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience with the animals.

Related FAQs

Yes - all of our animal experience prices include admission to Hobbledown Epsom.

Please visit our website https://www.hobbledown.com/epsom/experiences/ for everything you need to know about our animal experiences.

The Capybara feeding experience is not wheelchair accessible, as it takes place within the enclosures. If you are in a wheelchair, please contact us prior to booking your experience to discuss any reasonable adjustments that can be made.

The experiences are managed to suit the daily rhythms and habits of the animals. As such if you arrive late, the experience may be cancelled or shortened as a result. We may ask to reschedule any experiences that are not attended at the start time

Capybaras are calm and gentle giants, so Feed the Capybaras is suitable for even the youngest of hobblers, at age 6+!
Please bring wellies! Participants will be taken into the capybara enclosure, so footwear suited to muck and mud is required.
The experience lasts 15 - 20 minutes and includes your park entry
Participants will be given some browse, cos lettuce or other type of feed, and an animal team member will take you into the enclosure and teach you how to feed the capybara safely
Meet the keepers! Q&A with the capybara caretakers will be available throughout the session, along with plenty of educational facts
Bring your camera! There will be plenty of great photo opportunities...

Yes you can! We have some additional information for you to review with regarding to to zoonotic disease for the over 65's which is detailed in our H&S Document. Please review this on our website prior to booking.

Adult supervision is required for all children taking part in our Zookeeper Experiences. Each experience ticket includes park admission for the participant and one accompanying adult.

 Anyone wishing to take part in the experience must have their own Zookeeper Experience ticket.

One grown up spectating the participant of the zookeeper experiences under the age of 18 is included in the price of the experience. All other experiences require the accompanying adult to purchase a general admission ticket. If the participant is over 18 and would like an additional spectator a general admission park ticket should be purchased. Please note, only one spectator per participant is allowed to accompany the experience.

Yes we do have animal experiences that you can enjoy as a lovely addition to your visit. The range includes: Feed the Capybaras, Meet the Meerkats, Meet the Lemurs, Meet the Tortoises, Meet the Birds of Prey or enjoy being a Zookeeper for the day. For full details please click here 

Our animal experiences are tailored to suit the age of the participant, so younger animal lovers can enjoy safe and engaging encounters, as well as older children and adults. Meet the Tortoises is suitable from age 5+, while Feed the Capybaras, Zookeeper for a Day, Meet the Meerkats and Meet the Lemurs are all available from age 6+.

For the animal experience, it's recommended that participants wear comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Here are some clothing suggestions:
Long Sleeve Tops : To protect against scratches and sun exposure.
Trousers : Comfortable trousers are ideal for moving around.
Trainers or Full Shoes : Closed-toe shoes are necessary for safety.
Weather-Appropriate Gear : Depending on the weather, consider bringing sun cream, wellies for wet conditions, or raincoats if it's likely to rain.

Yes of course - all animal experiences include a general admission ticket for you to enjoy Hobbledown before or after your experience takes place.

Yes – our animal experiences are designed for both adults and children. Many adults take part to enjoy a unique close-up encounter with animals, whether that’s feeding capybaras, meeting lemurs or learning more about animal care from our expert keepers.

These experiences make a great activity for couples, friends or families, and are also popular as unique gift experiences for animal lovers.

Thank you for your interest, but we only rehome animals that come from another BIAZA registered business.

We have a variety of farm and zoo animals at Hobbledown Epsom. These include Meerkats, Capybaras, Giant Rabbits, Goats, Pigs, Sheep, Alpacas, Armadillos, Bactrian Camels, Giant Tortoises & Ring-tailed Lemurs. We also offer a range of animals experiences that can be pre booked via the website.

No, you cannot wear shorts for the animal experiences. It is recommended to wear long trousers for all animal experiences. If the weather is hot, please bring more comfortable wear or shorts for the remainder of your day with us, and wear long trousers for the animal experiences.

Yes – our animal experiences make a fantastic gift for animal lovers of all ages. Whether it’s feeding capybaras, meeting meerkats or stepping behind the scenes with our keepers, these hands-on encounters create memorable moments that last far longer than a traditional present.

Animal experiences are also available as gift vouchers, making them perfect for birthdays, Christmas or special occasions. The recipient can then choose a date that suits them and enjoy a unique day out at Hobbledown Epsom.

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