Key facts
- Operator
- Dudley Zoological Society (Dudley Zoo & Castle)
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
Castle Hill, Dudley DY1 4QF
Telephone 01384 215313
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
Dudley Castle's ruins sit at the top of a hill that's now Dudley Zoo, reached by a walk up (or a chairlift) past enclosures built into and around the old fortifications. It's an odd pairing - Norman ruin as zoo centrepiece - but reviewers say the castle gives the site a character most zoos don't have.
Worth the trip
The ruins themselves as the zoo's focal point, best appreciated from the chairlift or the climb to the top of the hill.
Before you go
It's a proper hill with steps, so pace yourself, and food on site runs pricey - one reviewer paid nearly £6 for a sausage roll - so bring your own if you can. Book ahead, as queues build later in the day.
Reviewers consistently describe this as a zoo built around castle ruins, with well cared-for animals in generally spacious enclosures and the castle providing a distinctive backdrop and focal point. Recurring caveats are the very hilly terrain (a chairlift is available), food and drink prices several find high, and a sense among some visitors that certain facilities are dated and due for a planned refurbishment.
Ruin within zoo grounds, zoo ticket
“We had a fantastic day out at Dudley Zoo! There is a wonderful variety of animals, and it’s clear the keepers take great care of them. The unique setting around the castle ruins adds so much character to the walk. It is…”— Will Bousfield, visitor review
