FAQs

We don’t use a booking system for normal admission, only for Group Bookings of 10 or more people, so simply pay on arrival.

Yes, we accept both cash and card, though there is a minimum spend of £3 on all card transactions. We do not accept American Express. Please note we are also unable to accept £50 notes.

Yes, you can feed some of the larger domestic animals (Goats, Ponies, Donkey, Sheep, Alpacas, Zebu, Wallabies, Mara) with special food that can be purchased at the entrance (limited to 1 bag per person).  Our animals are fed a balanced healthy diet, and you MUST NOT feed them anything else as it could make them seriously ill or worse.

Yes, you can touch some of the larger domestic animals through or over their enclosure fences. These include the ponies, donkey, goats, sheep, pigs, alpacas wallabies and mara. For welfare reasons we do not have ‘petting’ or handling sessions. We allow all of our animals to choose where they go, so don’t be upset if sometimes don’t feel like coming over to be touched. Please be aware that our animals may kick or bite, and remember to wash your hands after touching them

Smoking or vaping is NOT permitted around the park, except in designated areas. These areas are clearly marked on our zoo map.

We are an outdoor attraction – please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. There are several covered areas, including a picnic area and animal viewing areas where you can shelter from inclement weather. Our café has indoor seating, but this is only for visitors who have purchased food or drink there, and not for picnics.

Our café serves a range of chilled sandwiches, cakes and snacks, but no cooked or hot food. However, there is a microwave which you can used to heat bacon butties, cheeseburgers, sausage rolls, and meat pies.

Our café serves a small range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten/dairy free foods and snacks. However, we only stock a small number of fresh items so these items may have sold out on the day. Oat milk is available for teas and black coffees. Although every effort is made to prevent cross contamination, if you have a serious allergy, we recommend that you bring your own food. Please don’t hesitate to ask our helpful staff for more information on allergens etc.

We have a microwave which you can use to heat bottles and food, alternatively if you ask one of our café staff they are happy to provide a jug of hot water.

Yes, you are very welcome to bring your own food and there are numerous picnic tables around the zoo including some undercover. We regret that guest’s own food and drinks are not allowed to be consumed in the café or on adjoining terrace to save room for customers who have purchased food on-site.

If anyone is thought to be inebriated or causing a disturbance, they will be asked to leave the zoo, and no refund will be given. The use of illegal drugs is prohibited at the zoo, and the police will be informed of any suspected use.

However, we don’t want to spoil a small celebration so accept that occasionally people may wish to bring a can of beer, or a bottle of wine to share.

No, BBQ’s or open fires are not permitted due to the risk of fire.

We don’t specifically host birthday parties or other celebrations. However, if you wish to hold your own small celebration here, you are usually welcome, but please contact us first to confirm.  If you are bringing 10 or more paying guests, you could save money by making a group booking.

You are welcome to take photographs of the animals and gardens for your personal use, and please feel free to tag us on social media. Images may not be used for any commercial purpose without specific prior permission from Filey Zoo. Drones are not permitted. Please note that we do not buy images taken by guests.

We welcome well behaved dogs in all areas of the zoo, except the children’s play park. They must be kept on short leads (max 1m) and under the control of a responsible adult. Please keep your dog calm and don’t allow them to jump or bark at the animals (or other visitors). Do not lift or allow them to jump on top of enclosure walls or in ponds. Please clean up – spare ‘doggy bags’ are available at the entrance or gift shop if you run out!

Very few zoos allow dogs – please stick to these simple rules to ensure we can continue to welcome them.

Unfortunately, due to Zoo Licensing legislation and the increased risks, no other pets are not allowed in the zoo.

Both the main car park and the grass overflow car park are free to use. Our car park is strictly for the use of zoo visitors – please do not leave your car if you are going off site.

Dogs die in hot cars – you must not leave yours in one – even for a few minutes.

Cars are parked at their owners own risk and Filey Zoo cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to vehicles, their contents or persons.

Yes, you can. Please ask a member of staff at the entrance or gift shop for a hand stamp which must be shown to re-enter. Please note you may be refused entry without a hand stamp as otherwise we do not know if a guest has paid admission.

There are no charging points on site, however the nearest charging points can be found just 1 mile away in Station Avenue Car Park, Filey, YO14 9AY

There is a bus stop directly outside our entrance (bus routes 12 and 13), with Bus and Railway Stations within Filey town centre (1 mile from the zoo). We also welcome walkers and cyclists. For more information see or How to Find Us page.

We get many wheelchair and mobility scooter users. The main paths are tarmac or compacted stone, and the zoo has no steps and is fairly level. However, some areas may become uneven with heavy traffic or after bad weather – please see our Accessibility page for more details.

Sorry, we do not have wheelchairs or mobility scooters for hire, but you are welcome to bring your own or hire them elsewhere.

In addition to our toilet facilities, there are hand washing sinks at the main picnic areas in the centre of the zoo and near the play park. Visitors are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after touching any of the animals.

In zoos and animal contact areas, handwashing with soap and running water is the most effective and recommended method for preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a useful option when soap and water are unavailable but should not be a substitute, especially when hands are visibly soiled.

Bikes, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, balls, frisbees, kites, balloons and bubbles etc are NOT allowed in the zoo, as they may put yourself and other visitors in danger and could frighten or harm our animals. There are cycle racks near the entrance. Three wheeled trikes are allowed only on the condition that parents or guardians use the trike as if it were a buggy and do not allow the child to propel themselves. Visitors who wish to bring in a trike agree that they use it at their own risk and take full responsibility steering it. Filey Zoo is not responsible for any damage or injury caused to or by personal belongings. Drones are not permitted.

Yes, we have an outdoor play area with swings, slide, climbing walls, monkey bars, balance beams and lots of platforms and tunnels. This area is strictly for children under 12 years old, and all children must be fully supervised by a responsible adult. There is also a separate sand pit for the younger children.

Your admission ticket is valid all day so you can stay as long as you like within opening hours. Please note the café closes 30 minutes before the zoo.

We find most of our visitors spend 2-3 hours on average, but it is possible to see everything in a shorter period. However, if you are short of time we still recommend a minimum of 1 hour to enjoy a visit.

The quietest times are usually after 2pm on term-time weekdays (especially Monday’s and Friday’s)

To keep prices simple, we only offer fixed priced tickets for Adults, Children and Families – though discounts are available for larger group bookings.

Childminders can now buy special season passes which can be uses as often as you like on weekdays.* Please contact us for a form.

These are priced the same as normal season passes and work in a similar way. You would require the appropriate number of adult and child passes for your group (children class as 2-16 years old  – under 2’s are still free!). However, as each pass does not have photo ID (just a company name/logo), you only need passes for the total number of staff and children you would bring on any one visit (not a pass for every child registered with you).

For example, if you have 20 children registered, but would only ever bring 3 children with you at a time, you would only need 1 adult and 3 child passes.

*These passes are valid during term-time weekdays so can come as often as you like during the week, however they are not valid during school holidays and weekends.

We offer these special passes to encourage Nurseries and Child Minders to bring different children and give them the opportunity to experience and learn more about animals and the environment. As such, we ask we ask that you use them in the spirit they are intended for, and don’t pass them on to friends and family, or otherwise abuse them.

We do not provide lockers. However, in certain circumstances management may be able to store items for the duration of your visit. Please note Filey Zoo is not responsible for any damage or injury caused to or by stored personal belongings.

If have lost an item, please let us know and leave your contact details and a description of the item so we can contact you if it is found after your visit.  If unclaimed but identifiable items are found, we will make every attempt to reunite them with their owner.  Please don’t be offended if we ask for additional information or proof of ownership when claiming a found item. Lost property is kept for 6 weeks and will then be donated to a charity or other suitable cause.

Before your visit it may be useful to have a pre-arranged meeting point should someone become separated from your group. Please be aware that there are areas of open water.

If the person cannot be found after a quick search, please immediately report this to a member of staff with a description of clothing, age, hair colour etc and a current photo if possible. They will initiate our missing person protocol, and this will be relayed to the entrance staff who will then monitor any guests trying to leave.

For genuine emergencies ring 999 immediately.  We have multiple staff trained in first aid with first aid kits in the shop/entrance and keeper kitchen.

For minor injuries (cuts, scrapes and bumps) speak to a member of staff – plasters and sympathy can be found at the entrance or in the gift shop.

We offer long term (minimum of 6 month) work experience placements working alongside our keepers and helping care for our animals.

There are a limited number of places which are very popular. We hope to help people starting in the zoo industry, so we generally offer these placements to students already studying an animal-based course who must complete a set number of voluntary hours to be able to graduate.

If you would like to apply for a placement here please contact us for more information.

Unfortunately, we are not licensed to handle native wildlife. It is usually best not to approach or move animals unless they are in immediate danger as this can often cause more problems. Seals are powerful animals with a strong bite – do NOT approach, touch, or attempt to move them, and keep dogs well away.

Please contact an appropriate wildlife rescue before intervening – some local ones are listed below:

• Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary Tel: 07342173724
• RSPB Bempton Cliffs  01262 422212
• British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR): 01825 765546