Hobbledown Adventure Park and Zoo

What We Offer Visiting Schools:

A school trip to Hobbledown Epsom combines a structured educational session with time to explore the zoo, animal walkthroughs and adventure-play areas.

Schools can choose from five educational packages:

– Hobbler Guided Tour: A 20-minute, no-contact zoo tour exploring habitats, adaptations, identification and animal features. Suitable for preschool, Reception and KS1.

– Interactive Animal Experience: A 20-minute keeper-led animal encounter. Classes of up to 30 are divided into groups of five. Suitable for ages four upwards.

– Layers of the Rainforest: A 45–60-minute classroom session featuring rainforest inhabitants, mainly reptiles and insects. Suitable for KS1 and KS2.

– Mini Beasts: A 45–60-minute classroom session examining creatures such as giant snails, cockroaches and stick insects and how they survive. Suitable for KS1 and KS2.

– Habitats and Adaptations: A 45–60-minute active session combining classroom learning with exploration around Hobbledown. Suitable for KS1 and KS2.

Packages are aligned with early-years learning and Key Stages 1–3, supporting topics including animals, habitats, adaptation, movement, geography, biology and the environment. The remainder of the visit can include self-guided animal discovery and outdoor play. Indoor Play Barn access may be added in advance for an additional charge, subject to availability.

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit:

Hobbledown combines meaningful learning with animal encounters, outdoor exploration and active play—all in one visit.

• Curriculum-linked learning: Educational sessions support Early Years and Key Stages 1–3, covering animals, habitats, adaptations, movement, biology, geography and the environment.
• Hands-on experiences: Depending on the package, pupils can meet an animal, learn directly from a qualified zookeeper or explore the zoo with an expert guide.
• Learning beyond the classroom: Seeing animals and habitats first-hand helps bring classroom topics to life and encourages curiosity, observation and questioning.
• Play and physical activity: The large outdoor adventure playground gives children opportunities to exercise, explore, socialise and develop confidence.
• Choice for different ages: Packages are tailored to specific age groups, from preschool and Reception through to KS3.
• Teacher support: Hobbledown provides lesson plans, worksheets and site-specific risk-assessment information, alongside teacher familiarisation visits.
• Good value: Packages currently start at £11.50 per child, with accompanying adults admitted free within the permitted ratio.
• A full, memorable day: Visits run from 10am to 2pm, combining a structured educational activity with time to explore the animals and play areas.

Hobbledown offers schools an engaging balance of education, enrichment and adventure, helping pupils learn together while building confidence and creating shared memories.

Subjects and Topics Covered:

• Sport & Adventure
• Animals & Birds
• Science & Environment
• Environment
• Geography
• Biology

Accreditation and Awards:

Hobbledown is a BIAZA member and an award-winning family attraction, recognised as Surrey’s Best Family Experience 2026, Best Indoor Play Centre 2025 and a BIAZA Bronze Award winner for the educational Imaginarium. We are also delighted to have been recognised and recommended by Muddy Stilettos, Red Kite Days and Days Out on the Farm.

Group Sizes Catered For:

Hobbledown Epsom can accommodate school group sizes of 15 to 500! For the safety and enjoyment of all our guests we always insist that there is a ratio of 1 adult for every 5 children.

Itineraries, Resources, and Workshops:

Teachers can download materials to support preparation, learning during the visit and follow-up work:

• A site-specific school risk assessment
• Layers of the Rainforest lesson plan and worksheet
• Mini Beasts lesson plan and worksheet
• Habitats and Adaptations lesson plan and worksheet
• KS1 and KS2 rainforest-character worksheets
• Shaggy Beasts worksheet
• Creative-writing “Build a Hobbler” activity
• Poetry and rhyming worksheet
• Themed colouring sheets and more………

The materials support learning across science, geography, environmental education, literacy and creative development.

Risk Assessment:

A site-specific risk-assessment is available to download from the website: https://www.hobbledown.com/epsom/ and a pre-visit can also be arranged to help the group leader complete the school’s own assessment.

Education Department Information:

Our team are always ready to answer any questions you have. Please contact them by emailing epsominfo@hobbledown.com or call 01372 668942.

Pricing Information:

Educational package Price per child
Hobbler Guided Tour £11.50
Interactive Animal Experience £11.50
Layers of the Rainforest £12.50
Mini Beasts £12.50
Habitats and Adaptations £12.50

Accompanying adults attend free within the required ratio of one adult for every five children. Additional adults must purchase a standard admission ticket. A minimum of 15 pupils is required for the school rate. One complimentary admission ticket for the coach driver with each school booking

Facilities:

• Large outdoor adventure-play areas
• Climbing structures, tunnels and imaginative play equipment
• Indoor Play Barn, available as a pre-booked school add-on for an additional charge and subject to capacity
• Sensory-friendly features, selected inclusive equipment and quieter areas where available
• Standard toilet facilities
• An accessible toilet in the Indoor Play Barn, which does not require a key
• Baby-changing facilities in the Play Barn toilets
• Outdoor seating for school picnics
• Bins located around the park
• On-site restaurant and refreshment facilities
• Packed lunches must be eaten outdoors. Only food purchased from Hobbledown may be consumed inside the restaurant, Play Barn or party rooms.
• Parking for up to five coaches at one time

Accessibility and Disabled Facilities:

We try to make your visit to Hobbledown as enjoyable as possible and we always try to accommodate as many people as we can. Schools with specific access requirements should contact us before your visit to ensure your visit is as enjoyable as possible.

– An accessible toilet in the Indoor Play Barn

• Step-free access to the principal areas
• Hard-standing paths to many parts of the attraction
• Accessible seating, café facilities and selected play zones
• Free Essential Companion tickets for eligible visitors, subject to advance arrangements

Opening Hours:

School visits are run from 10am – 2pm during term time and combine structured educational activity with time to explore the animals and play areas.