Embark on a wild autumn adventure during Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo, running daily from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026! Located just outside Southampton in Colden Common, Marwell Zoo comes alive with seasonal family activities, bootiful autumn photo backdrops, and interactive wildlife encounters from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM BST. Visitors can navigate the twists and turns of the Autumn Maze near the Giraffe House to search for the hidden golden acorn, get creative on Marwell Hall drive with pumpkin carving and painting, test their skills at pumpkin patch games, and step inside historic Marwell Hall for spellbinding storytelling with Esme the Witch. With daily animal feeding talks, virtual reality insect adventures, face painting, tractor play, and pumpkin spiced lattes, it is the ultimate October half-term family day out.
Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo Dates
Schedule and event duration details for Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo:
- Event Dates: Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November 2026.
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM BST daily.
What to Expect at Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo
Key seasonal activities, entertainment highlights, and animal experiences:
- Autumn Maze: Navigate the maze near the Giraffe House (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) to hunt for the hidden golden acorn and enter the competition to win family tickets.
- Pumpkin Carving & Painting: Pick your pumpkin on Marwell Hall drive (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM) to carve or paint (£2 small, £4 medium pumpkin; card payment only).
- Pumpkin Patch Games: Test your skills with family-friendly pumpkin-themed lawn games in front of Marwell Hall (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM).
- Storytelling with Esme the Witch: Settle in for spellbinding stories inside historic, haunted Marwell Hall (Daily sessions at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM).
- Virtual Reality Insect Experience: Step into a colourful 3D world in the Giraffe House to see the miniature world of insects (10:30 AM – 1:00 PM; additional charge applies).
- Face Painting & Glitter Tattoos: Transform into a spooky character at the Giraffe House (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; £4 half face, £6 full face, £4 glitter tattoo; suitable for ages 4+).
- Scarecrow Trail & Photo Ops: Explore themed scarecrows made by zoo staff, jump aboard “Little Blue” the tractor on Marwell Hall drive, and take seasonal autumn family photos.
- Animal Feeds & Keeper Talks: Meet Marwell’s incredible animals and listen to daily keeper feeds (check the Marwell Zoo app for daily schedules).
Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo Tickets
Official ticket options and pricing details:
- Advance Child Ticket (Aged 2–15): £22.48 (Excluding donation) / £25.00 (With donation).
- Advance Adult Ticket (Aged 16+): £26.08 (Excluding donation) / £29.00 (With donation).
- Advance Student Ticket (16+ with ID): £23.38 (Excluding donation) / £26.00 (With donation).
- On-the-Day Gate Tickets: £29.00 (Child), £33.00 (Adult), £30.00 (Student).
- Infants (Under 2 years old): FREE admission.
- Carers: FREE admission for a carer accompanying a paying guest with accessibility needs.
- Marwell Zoo Annual Members: FREE entry included with membership.
Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo Address
Location and travel details for visiting the zoo:
Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo Location
Marwell Zoo, Thompson’s Lane, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH (located just off the B3354 near Southampton).
How to Get to Marwell Zoo
- By Car: Accessible via the M3 (Junction 11) or M27 (Junction 7 or 10), following the brown tourist signs along the B3354 through Colden Common.
- By Bus/Train: Eastleigh and Winchester railway stations are the nearest train hubs, with local taxi services available directly to the zoo entrance.
Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo Accessibility & Facilities
Zoo amenities and accessibility support:
- Accessible Wildlife Park: Mostly tarmac pathways throughout the 140-acre park, accessible toilet facilities, wheelchair hire, and baby changing stations.
Marwell Zoo Parking
Parking options on site:
- Free On-Site Car Park: Ample free parking is provided in the main Marwell Zoo car park directly outside the entrance.
Discover More Local Events
Looking for more exciting things happening across the region? Check out our complete list of What’s On in Southampton to discover zoo events, pumpkin carving, family half-term activities, and local community gatherings near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo taking place?
- The event runs daily throughout October half term from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026, between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM BST.
- Where is Marwell Zoo located?
- Marwell Zoo is located on Thompson’s Lane, Colden Common, Winchester (SO21 1JH), just off the B3354 near Southampton.
- How much do tickets cost for Wild Autumn?
- Ticket prices start from £22.48 for children and £26.08 for adults when booked online in advance. Under 2s, carers, and Marwell Annual Members enter for free.
- How much does pumpkin carving and painting cost?
- Pumpkin carving and painting costs £2.00 per small pumpkin and £4.00 per medium pumpkin. Payment is by card only on Marwell Hall drive.
- Where is the Autumn Maze located and how much is it?
- The Autumn Maze is located near the Giraffe House and is included with standard zoo admission. Visitors can hunt for a hidden golden acorn to enter a special prize draw.
- What times are the witch storytelling sessions?
- Storytelling with Esme the Witch takes place daily inside Marwell Hall at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.
- How much does face painting and glitter tattoos cost?
- Face painting is £4.00 for half face and £6.00 for full face; glitter tattoos are £4.00. Suitable for children aged 4 and over (card payment only).
- Do Marwell Annual Members need to pay extra for half term activities?
- No, annual zoo members enter the zoo and access main event features for free, though small extra charges apply for optional pumpkin purchases, face painting, and the VR show.
- Is advance booking required?
- Advance online booking is recommended to secure your preferred date and save money compared to on-the-day gate prices.
- Is parking available at Marwell Zoo?
- Yes, free customer parking is available on site in the main zoo car park directly outside the entrance.