Whipsnade Zoo, Public zoo in Dunstable, England
Whipsnade Zoo is a zoological park in Dunstable, England, covering approximately 600 acres and housing thousands of animals from different species. Enclosures, walking paths, and a narrow-gauge railway allow visitors to explore the site and observe animals from different continents.
The park opened its gates in 1931 and is considered the first open zoo in Europe, offering animals more space than traditional facilities. More than 38,000 people came on the second day, a sign of immediate public enthusiasm.
The name refers to the nearby village of Whipsnade, which has been part of Bedfordshire's rural landscape for centuries. Visitors today see animals in spacious enclosures that mimic natural behavior, drawing families from across the region.
The park covers 600 acres, so allow plenty of time to cross between sections. The Great Whipsnade Railway, a 2 ft 6 in narrow-gauge line known as the Jumbo Express, runs through the site. Passage Through Asia can only be seen by car or from that train, and the entrance canopy is reached on foot from the car park.
The white lion on Dunstable Downs was completed in 1933 and refreshed in 2025; it sits below the white rhino enclosure and can be made out from the air. In 1932, animals bought from a defunct travelling menagerie were walked up to the park from Dunstable station.
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