Visitor information Access Please note that the Zoo is on a very steep hill, but we offer free manual wheelchairs, and electric scooters available for hire, from summer 2003. Please telephone first to check availability. Disabled visitors have a concessionary rate, and one helper free of charge if required. Children Pushchair hire, baby changing, special children’s menus and lots of play areas to keep all your little monkeys happy! Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by people aged 17+. Eating From fine dining in the Members’ House, to self-service cafeterias with mouth-watering menus, and kiosks dotted around the Zoo selling ice creams, sandwiches and sweets - you certainly won’t go hungry! Giftshop Take home a memento of your special day- our giftshop, Arkadia, sells everything from pocket money toys to beautiful gifts, as well as games, books, jewellery and cards - with all proceeds going directly to the Zoo. Groups We offer free coach parking, free admission for coach driver and tour operator, and 20% discount on all parties of 10 or more paying visitors. Sponsorship Animal sponsorship makes a wonderful gift for your loved ones! Phone 0131-314 0334 to find out more, or visit our website www.edinburghzoo.org.uk Pets Sorry, no pets are allowed into the Zoo. However, guide dogs are welcome to accompany visitors with visual or hearing difficulties. Weddings The Zoo is a truly unique venue for weddings and corporate hospitality. Please contact our Members’ House for details of our wedding service, as well as our ‘Really Wild’ corporate packages combining catering, conference facilities and animal experiences: 0131-314 0336. Edinburgh Zoo was opened in 1913, and is one of Europe’s leading zoos in conservation and education. Owned by The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a registered charity, our mission is: “To inspire and excite our visitors with the wonder of living animals, and so to promote the conservation of threatened species and habitats. Conservation The best place to conserve wildlife is in the wild, but where this is impossible -- due to pollution, habitat destruction and hunting - zoos can play a vital role. Working in co-operation with other zoos and conservation organisations around the world, we breed and exchange threatened species, keeping healthy and genetically diverse populations safe from extinction. This conservation work is supported by extensive programmes of environmental education and non-invasive, scientific research. Opening times We are open every day of the year, including Christmas Day! April - September October & March November - February 9.00am - 6.00pm 9.00am - 5.00pm 9.00am - 4.30pm Directions The Zoo is 3 miles west of the city centre on the A8 road towards Glasgow. From the south, take the city by-pass following signs for Edinburgh north and west, then city centre. From the north, follow signs for city centre. The entrance to the car park is between the Zoo and the Holiday Inn. Buses - from Edinburgh city centre, buses I 2, 26 and 3 I and the Airport Express. Trains - Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket stations, then buses as above. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Edinburgh Zoo EH12 6TS phone 0131 3349171 fax 0131 3140320 www.edinburghzoo.org.uk charity no. SC 004064