Through our Access to Nature programme, we are able to offer funded education visits for schools, community and charity groups 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 community visits and community membership here.
Access to Education Visits is designed for schools, community and charity groups that meet the programme's eligibility criteria.
Bristol Zoo Project offers an amazing opportunity for all ages and abilities to learn about animals, conservation and the natural world in a beautiful and inherently wild setting, connecting people with nature and supporting health and well-being.
Funded Access Education Visits enable eligible organisations to gain free access for their students, members and/or beneficiaries to enjoy educational visits to Bristol Zoo Project.
Visits can include a taught education session by one of our specialist education team members, and/or the use of our education resources and trails. While we always try to accommodate taught sessions, these are subject to availability. However, our self-led sessions with free education resources are always available for groups to use.
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.
Applicants for funded education 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 must demonstrate that they are a state-funded primary, secondary or special school, and have both of the following:
30% or more students eligible for Pupil Premium*
5% or more students with special needs*
*Special schools do not need to adhere to this criteria.
To apply for our Access to Education Visits, you’ll need to complete our online application form.
Applications must be made before an education visit is booked.
We aim to respond to applications within 2 weeks of receiving your application.
As long as you meet our eligibility criteria, we’ll be in touch with you to arrange your funded education 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].
