Dudley Zoo and Castle
A zoo built on a hill crowned by the ruins of a Norman castle, with modernist animal enclosures from the 1930s that are listed as Grade II buildings.
Dudley Zoo opened in 1937 and is built into the castle hill. At the summit are the ruins of Dudley Castle, begun in the 11th century, with views over the Black Country. The zoo is home to around 200 species, including Asiatic lions, Sumatran tigers, orangutans and penguins. Its 12 concrete modernist animal houses, designed by the Tecton architectural group, are an important architectural heritage. The slopes are steep, so the zoo has a miniature train and chairlifts. Adult admission is about £22. It can be combined in one day with the neighbouring Black Country Living Museum.
Opening hours
10:00–16:00 (until 17:00 in summer)
Nearby sights
- Black Country Living Museum
- Lickey Hills Country Park
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Barber Institute of Fine Arts
- Winterbourne House and Garden
- Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
- National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
- Cadbury World