Through our Access to Nature programme, we are able to offer funded community visits, for community groups, charities and youth organisations that meet the eligibility criteria.
Applications for funded education and community visits from April 2025 to March 2026 are now closed. Over 2,000 adults and children are now booked for a fully funded visit to the zoo during this time.
Please note, we are still welcoming new Community Members. So, if you’re a community organisation and charity that meets our eligibility criteria, check out our Community Membership as a way to secure year-round access to Bristol Zoo Project for your members and/or beneficiaries.
Alternatively, if you would like to apply for a funded visit next year, please visit our website again in April 2026.
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to access nature. However, we know many groups face barriers to accessing green spaces and wildlife.
Access to Nature aims to remove these barriers, ensuring Bristol Zoo Project is truly accessible and inclusive for all.
Through Community Membership, or through our funded education or community visits, we offer year-round access to the wildlife and green spaces here at Bristol Zoo Project. In this way we ensure nature, both locally and globally, is accessible and inspiring for everyone in our community.
Find out more about our funded education or community visits here.
Community visits are designed for community groups, charities and youth organisations that meet the programme's eligibility criteria.
Bristol Zoo Project offers an amazing opportunity for all ages and abilities to learn about animals and conservation in a beautiful and inherently wild setting, connecting them with nature and supporting health and well-being.
Access to Community Visits enables eligible organisations to gain free access for their members and/or beneficiaries to enjoy visits to Bristol Zoo Project.
You’ll need to apply via our online form. Please check the eligibility criteria below before you begin your application.
Once you have successfully applied, we’ll be in touch to provide you with details about how to book your visit.
Find out more about our funded education or community visits here.
Applicants for our funded community visits must be located within our catchment areas:
South Gloucestershire
City of Bristol
North Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset
Gloucestershire
Wiltshire
South Wales (Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Newport, Cardiff, Rhondda, Merthyr, Gwent, Caerphilly and Glamorgan)
Applicants should be charities, not-for-profit organisations and services, whose purpose is to support individuals who face barriers to accessing nature, in particular:
Those on low income
Disabled people
The Global Majority
People experiencing mental health issues
People over 60 who may be at risk of isolation
To apply for Access to Community Visits, you’ll need to complete our online application form.
Applications must be made before a community visit is booked.
We aim to respond to applications within 2 weeks of receiving your completed form.
As long as you meet our eligibility criteria, we’ll be in touch with you to arrange your community visit.
Please note that successful applicants will need to complete feedback at the end of their visit. This allows us to assess the impact of our work and to secure future funding for Access to Nature.
If you have any questions prior to applying or need the application in an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected].
