London Zoo

If you’ve been searching for a London Zoo police discount, the good news is there are some solid ways for officers and their families to save money on a visit. And if you’re thinking bigger than London Zoo itself — ZSL also runs Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, which is the same organisation, the same membership, and in many ways an even better day out for families with children. Either way, this guide covers the best available savings for the police community, all in one place.

Here at Police Discount Offers we work hard to find the best deals specifically for officers, police staff, PCSOs, specials, retired officers and their families. Before you book anything at London Zoo or Whipsnade, check our site — it could save you a decent chunk of money.

London Zoo Police Discount — What’s Available?

Both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo are run by ZSL (the Zoological Society of London), a registered charity. That means they share the same ticketing system, the same membership scheme, and many of the same deals. So when people search for a London Zoo police discount, the savings routes we cover below apply across both sites.

We always recommend checking Police Discount Offers — Family Days Out for the latest deals before booking, as we regularly update our listings to make sure you’re getting the best price available to the police community.

About ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

While London Zoo sits in the heart of Regent’s Park and is brilliant for a city day out, Whipsnade Zoo is the one that tends to win over families with more time to spare. It’s the UK’s largest zoo — over 600 acres of Chiltern Hills countryside — with more than 3,500 animals from 750 species. Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, tigers, penguins, chimpanzees — it’s all there, and the animals have space to actually move around, which makes a real difference to the experience.

There’s also a unique drive-through section where you can take your own car through parts of the zoo. Kids love it. It’s open every day except Christmas Day, with gates opening at 10am.

• 📍 Location: Dunstable, Bedfordshire (approx. 30 mins from Milton Keynes)
• 🦏 Animals: 3,500+ animals, 750 species
• 🌿 Size: 600 acres
• 🕙 Opens: 10am daily (closed Christmas Day)
• 🚗 Parking: Free external car park
• 🌐 Website: whipsnadezoo.org

Best Ways to Get a London Zoo Police Discount

Here are the main ways the police community can save money on visits to both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo. Always check Police Discount Offers first — we list the best current deals available specifically for officers and their families.

🎟️ Book Online in Advance

The simplest saving — don’t pay at the gate. Online prices are consistently 10–15% cheaper than walk-up prices. At Whipsnade, online tickets start from around £32 for adults and £22.40 for children aged 3 to 15. Children under 3 always get in free. Flexi tickets let you lock in the online price without fixing a date — useful if you work shifts and can’t always commit weeks ahead.

🔑 ZSL Annual Membership — The Best London Zoo Police Discount for Regular Visitors

If you’re looking for the single best value option for the police community at London Zoo or Whipsnade, it’s hard to argue against a ZSL annual membership. One membership covers unlimited visits to both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo for a full year. Family membership (two adults and up to five children) starts from around £286 per year, and you knock 20% off that by paying via Direct Debit.

That works out to under £20 a month for unlimited visits to two of the country’s best zoos. If you go twice in a year, it’s already paid for itself. Members also get 10% off food, drinks and shopping while they’re there. And if you start on a day ticket and decide you want to upgrade, you can do so within 14 days and just pay the difference — no need to commit before you’ve tried it.

🚆 50% Off When You Travel by Train or Bus

Not many people know about this one. If you travel to Whipsnade Zoo by train or bus on the day of your visit, you get 50% off the gate admission price for your whole group. Just show a valid dated ticket at the entrance. It can’t be combined with other offers, but if public transport works for your journey it’s a significant saving — especially for a larger family.

🌦️ Weather Buster Guarantee

If it rains continuously for 90 minutes or more during opening hours on the day you visit, Whipsnade Zoo will give you a free return visit to use within the following two months. Tickets need to have been booked directly through the zoo. Keep hold of your original tickets and bring photo ID for the lead booker when you return.

👥 Group Booking Discount

Groups of 15 or more get up to 15% off when booking online in advance. If you’re pulling together a team day out for colleagues or a bigger family group, it’s worth booking as a group to access the discount.

♿ Disabled Visitors and Carers

Reduced concession rates are available for disabled adults, and an essential carer gets in free. Blue Badge holders are also exempt from the additional charge for the internal drive-through car park at Whipsnade.

🎫 Universal Credit Discounted Tickets

Households receiving Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits can access tickets from as little as £3 per person for up to six people. These need to be booked in advance online with supporting documentation.

Why Use Police Discount Offers to Find Your London Zoo Police Discount?

There are plenty of discount sites around, but Police Discount Offers is the one built specifically for the police community — and that matters. We’re not a generic cashback site or a subscription card scheme. We track down deals that are relevant to officers, staff and their families, and we often find better rates than you’ll get elsewhere.

It’s completely free to use. No subscription, no card to buy, no catch. Whether you’re looking for a London Zoo police discount, deals on holidays, days out, equipment or anything else — it’s all on the site and it’s all free to access. You can browse all our current family days out deals here: policediscountoffers.co.uk/category/family-days-out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a London Zoo police discount?

Yes — officers and police staff have several ways to save money on visits to London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo. Both are run by ZSL so the same membership and deals apply to both sites. The best place to find the current top deals for the police community is Police Discount Offers, where we keep our listings up to date so you always know what’s available.

Does the London Zoo police discount also cover Whipsnade Zoo?

Yes. London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo are both operated by ZSL (the Zoological Society of London), so any ZSL membership or ZSL-wide offer covers both sites. If you buy an annual membership, for example, you get unlimited entry to both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo for the full year. It’s one of the reasons membership is such good value for families who want to make the most of both zoos.

Where is the best place to find a London Zoo police discount?

Police Discount Offers is our top recommendation. It’s free to use, built specifically for the police community, and regularly features deals that beat what you’d find through more generic schemes. Always check there before booking to make sure you’re getting the best available price.

What is the cheapest way to visit as a police officer with a family?

For a single visit, booking online in advance rather than paying at the gate is an easy win. If you can travel by bus or train on the day, the 50% off gate price offer is worth looking into. For families planning to visit more than once in a year, a ZSL annual membership covering both London Zoo and Whipsnade is almost certainly the best value overall — especially with the 20% Direct Debit discount. Children under 3 are always free, which helps bring the total down for younger families.

What are the current ticket prices at Whipsnade Zoo?

Online advance prices start from around £32 for adults and £22.40 for children aged 3 to 15. Children under 3 get in free. Concession rates apply for seniors, students and disabled visitors, with a free carer place included. Gate prices are higher, so booking online in advance always makes sense. Check the official Whipsnade Zoo website for the latest prices as they can vary by date and season.

Is parking free at Whipsnade Zoo?

The main external car park is free for all visitors. There’s a separate internal car park that allows you to drive through parts of the zoo, which costs around £30 extra. Blue Badge holders are exempt from that charge. If you’re happy to park outside and walk in, it won’t cost you anything.

What is the ZSL annual membership and is it worth it for police families?

A ZSL annual membership gives unlimited entry to both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo for a full year. Family membership covers two adults and up to five children, starting from around £286 per year — or less with the Direct Debit discount. If you visit more than once in a year it pays for itself, and you get 10% off in the shops and cafes too. For police families looking for a flexible, good-value days out option, it’s one of the best around. Check Police Discount Offers for any current deals on ZSL membership.

What is the Weather Buster Guarantee?

If there is 90 minutes of continuous rain during opening hours on the day you visit Whipsnade Zoo, you get a free return visit to use within the next two months. Tickets must be booked directly through the zoo. Keep your original tickets and bring photo ID for the lead booker to claim the return visit. Qualifying weather days are published on the Whipsnade website.

Does Police Discount Offers cover other attractions and days out?

Yes — and a lot more besides days out. Police Discount Offers covers theme parks, holidays, restaurants, mobile phones, car insurance, police equipment, clothing and much more. It’s all free to access and all put together specifically for serving officers, retired officers, PCSOs, specials, police staff and their families. If you haven’t bookmarked it already, it’s well worth doing.

Are dogs allowed at Whipsnade Zoo?

Unfortunately not. Because animals roam freely across parts of the grounds, dogs aren’t permitted on site. If you need to bring a registered assistance animal, contact the zoo directly before your visit to discuss your requirements.

Disclaimer: Ticket prices and offer availability are correct to the best of our knowledge at time of publication but can change at any time. Always check the official Whipsnade Zoo website for the latest pricing before booking.