Dudley Zoo and Castle

There is lots to do at Dudley Zoo and Castle in the West Midlands with over 200 species of animals on the property and the castle to explore. You will probably want to spend most of the day here to see everything.

What is there to do at Dudley Zoo and Castle?

There are several animal shows and talks around the zoo including being able to watch most of the animals, being fed. Dudley Zoo is located pretty central to Dudley Town Centre being only a 10-15 minute walk from the main high street and the town hall and right next to the Black Country Living museum.

The zoo is within the grounds of the castle which is located at the top of quite a steep hill so there will be quite a lot of walking during your visit. To make this easier on visitors, the zoo has got a cable car from the main entrance to almost the top of the hill or a mini road train so you can start at the top and see the animals, on the way down.

At the zoo, there are almost 1000 animals to see including lions, penguins, red pandas, otters, meerkats and Orangutans. The majority of enclosures are outside however there are also a few indoor areas like the reptile house and the monkey house. There are also several areas of the castle indoors that you can explore. As well as the animals on the property, there are small exhibits around the zoo with information about the animals.

Other things to do at Dudley Zoo include several outdoor play areas, a small funfair and a walk through Lemur and wallaby attractions. If you want to get even more hands-on, for a fee, you can do a range of animal experiences, such as feeding the penguins, meeting the spiders and becoming a zoo keeper for a day. While you’re there, it’s well worth exploring the castle, climbing the turrets and walking along the wall. There’s even a bird display that takes place on the lawn in the centre of the castle.

As well as the castle, there are several buildings that are worth checking out as these were originally designed by architect Berthold Lubetkin when the zoo opened in the 30s and are all listed buildings. While several of them are no longer in use or have changed their original use, you can find photographs of these buildings and the animals, they housed around the zoo which immediately transports you back in time.

Further Information

Is there food and drink available?

There is The Oak Kitchen at The Queen Mary Restaurant serving British Food like fish and chips and sausage and mash, sandwiches, wraps, salads, pizza, cakes and snacks. There is also the Courtyard Cafe in the castle, The Watering hole near the main entrance and several kiosks serving drinks, ice cream and snacks.

What are the main things to do?

Zoo with at least 1,000 animals,, a cable car and a mini road train to get you from the castle to the zoo. Animal shows and talks, outdoor play areas and a castle you can explore. Animal experiences are available at an additional cost. There are toilets and a choice of places to eat.