Marwell Zoo announces date it will reopen and reveals safety measures that will be in place

The Hampshire attraction shut in March as the country went into lockdown.

However with restrictions easing, Marwell Zoo has revealed that it will open again on Monday, June 29.

To thank its members for their unwavering support, the first four days will be exclusively for members only ahead of the public opening on Friday, July 3.

The zoo will be strictly limiting numbers each day to ensure guests can keep a safe distance so all guests, including members, will need to book online before they arrive while payments at the zoo will be card only.

Tickets will be released four days ahead with the exclusive member days open for bookings on Thursday, June 25.

General sale tickets will be available to book from June 29.

Marwell will finally unveil its world exclusive summer brick adventure SUPERSIZED!, which is on display until 1 November 2020 and included with general admission.

Alongside Marwell’s hundreds of animals including exotic and endangered species, the zoo will showcase a unique collection of bright and colourful brick sculptures around its beautiful 140-acre park.

Guests will be ‘shrunk’ on arrival before meeting toy brick models SUPERSIZED to eye-popping proportions including a three-metre tarantula and a towering red spitting cobra.

James Cretney, Chief Executive of Marwell Zoo, said: ‘The light is very much at the end of the tunnel and we’re delighted to be opening our gates again to welcome back our guests after being closed for three months. When we do reopen and see those smiling faces, it’s going to be a tremendous privilege.

‘Marwell is looking magnificent at the moment especially with the addition of our colourful SUPERSIZED! sculptures and our team has been working really hard to prepare the zoo so you can safely enjoy our animals and reconnect with nature in our 140 acre park.’

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Safety measures will include two metre floor distance markings at enclosures and queues, new one-way routes on narrow paths, multiple hand sanitisation points, stringent cleaning and signage to inform visitors.

All indoor animal areas will remain closed and there will be no animal talks, touch tables or train services. The indoor cafes will not be open however there will be outdoor catering outlets where takeaway food and drink will be available as well as extra picnic areas.

The zoo, run by charity Marwell Wildlife, has so far raised more than £50,000 to help with its high running costs such as animal feed and bedding during closure.

Mr Cretney added: ‘We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community during these unprecedented times and after being closed for three months and limiting our ticket numbers once we do reopen, our road to recovery will be long. You can help us secure the future of wildlife for generations to come by joining us as a Marwell member, donating, visiting us and ticking the Gift Aid box, adopting an animal or even starting your own fundraising activity.

‘Thank you in advance for your unwavering support and patience.’

To find out about all the new safety measures in place and to plan your visit, go to www.marwell.org.uk/guest-guidance.

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