Frequently asked questions
General FAQs
What animals will I be able to see at the HCC?
You can see the animals we have at the centre by clicking here.
Is the HCC accessible?
We regularly welcome wheelchair and pushchair users to the zoo. As we are a natural zoo, many of our pathways are made compressed woodchip which regular visitors with disabilities have no problem in dealing with. All of our buildings are accessible and we have ramps available should you require them. Our staff are always on hand to help! You can read our accessibility statement by clicking here.
When are the animals fed?
We like to keep our animals on their toes so they don't expect their food at particular times. Our talk and feed programmes change regularly, but you can ask a member of staff.
Can I feed the animals? Is it possible to hold any of the animals?
We offer pre-booked animal experiences, many of which enable you to feed our animals. Some of our smaller animal such as our insects may be able to be held during encounters throughout the day but the availability of this is subject to staff and the suitability of the species in the encounter.
Do you offer volunteer and work experience placements?
We do indeed. For all relevant information, please click here.
Can I bring my dog?
Unfortunately, due to animal welfare reasons dogs, including assitance dogs are not permitted in the centre or tearoom. If you rely on an assistance dog, please get in touch.
How do I check availability for an experience?
You can check availability for experiences on the individual experience page, by browsing through the calendar. This is a lot quicker than emailing.