Pay Once, Visit All Year: Why the Annual Pass for Dartmoor Zoo Is Worth It

As a Welsh mum of four (two girls, 18 and 14, and two boys, 11 and 6), I'm always on the lookout for days out that stretch the budget and keep everyone smiling. Dartmoor Zoo's new annual pass for Dartmoor Zoo is exactly that. Buy a standard day ticket once and you can return free for the next 12 months-perfect for school holidays, cheeky weekend adventures and those spontaneous "shall we just go somewhere?" Sundays.

We're Cardiff-based, so a Devon day trip is a proper family outing (or a lovely little weekend). Here's how we plan it, what to expect, and how to squeeze every drop of value from the pass.

A tiger rests on a rock next to text promoting Dartmoor Zoo’s “Pay Once, Visit All Year!” annual pass offer.

Why the annual pass for Dartmoor Zoo works for families

Great value without the pressure. One paid visit unlocks unlimited returns for a whole year. Dip in for a couple of hours, focus on just a few talks, then come back another time for the rest.
Something new each visit. From keeper talks to seasonal trails, repeat trips don't feel "samey."
Easy logistics. Straightforward drive from South Wales, free parking, simple booking, and plenty of space for little legs to roam.

I'm big on simple, budget living and we often pack a picnic-less queuing, more time watching the kids tear around the play area.

Tickets, Gift Aid, and how the pass works

Please remember to Gift Aid your ticket - this doesn't cost you a penny, but Dartmoor Zoo receives an extra 25p for every £1 you spend.

Pay once… visit free all year! From Tuesday 1st April, all Dartmoor Zoo general admission tickets come with an optional annual pass at no extra cost. That means one paid visit activates a year of free returns.

How to purchase tickets

Choose the ticket type you'd like.
Select the date and arrival time for your visit.
Don't forget to include any eligible free children under 3s in your booking.

How to book a returning ticket as an annual pass holder

Click "book annual passholder tickets."
Log into your account to see the options for pass holders.
Include all members of your party before you check out.

Your DigiTicket & entry

After checkout, you'll receive a DigiTicket by email with a barcode and booking reference number.
Show the ticket on arrival. No printer? Simply note the Booking Reference Number or show the DigiTicket on your smartphone.

Make it unforgettable: special add-ons

Level up a birthday or treat day by booking one of Dartmoor Zoo's brilliant animal experiences-think meeting the meerkats or even being a Junior Keeper for the day. There's quite a few different experiences to choose from so there is something for everyone. These are easy to book online and make for the kind of memories kids talk about for years.

Two meerkats standing upright on a rock, facing forward, with logs and natural surroundings in the background at Dartmoor Zoo. Visit all year with an Annual Pass and enjoy scenes like this whenever you wish!.

Magical events at Dartmoor Zoo

Discover the magical upcoming events! The zoo hosts fun, engaging activities throughout the year-from Rangers Academies and a full calendar of summer events, to the famous Zooluminate. If you've got the pass, these are brilliant reasons to pop back without trying to cram everything into one day. Popular dates can book up quickly, so plan ahead.

A lioness yawning and stretching outdoors at Dartmoor Zoo with the text "ROAR N' SNORE 2025" in bold orange letters in the upper left corner.

Cardiff → Dartmoor: our easy family travel plan

Journey: We allow around 3 hours from Cardiff with a couple of loo/snack stops.
Pace: With the pass, we split the zoo into "zones" across visits-big cats and a keeper talk one trip, play area and smaller mammals the next.
Food: Picnic if you can (we love a simple picnic spread), then treat everyone to an ice cream or hot chocolates depending on the season.
Make a weekend of it: Pair the zoo with a Dartmoor walk, Plymouth Hoe, or Saltram House for a slower second day.

How we'll use our pass this year

Spring - first look round, one keeper talk, lots of playground time.
Early Summer - revisit favourites and try a different talk.
Autumn - quieter paths, cosy layers, spot seasonal animal behaviours.
Winter - a brisk two-hour wander and hot drinks; with the pass, short visits feel totally worth it.

FAQs

What exactly is the annual pass for Dartmoor Zoo?

Buy a standard day ticket and you unlock free returns for the next 12 months.

Do I need to pre-book each time?

Yes-choose your arrival time online so the team can manage capacity smoothly.

Is it suitable for a wide age range?

We're a mixed crew (teen to early primary) and there's genuinely something for everyone-from keeper talks and animal experiences to space to run and decompress.

If you're local to Devon-or within easy reach from South Wales-the annual pass for Dartmoor Zoo is such a good-value way to build in regular, low-pressure family time. We'll be back a few times this year… and I'm pretty sure our 11-year-old won't let us forget about the meerkats.

This post is a paid collaboration with Dartmoor Zoo. All words, family opinions and snack choices are my own.

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