TV Star to open new Discovery Centre at Hoo Zoo during May Half Term

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford have announced the launch of their brand-new Discovery Centre, which is set to be officially opened by renowned wildlife presenter Nigel Marven during an unmissable ‘Prehistoric Park Live’ event on Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June 2025.

The new Discovery Centre is located beside the zoo’s popular Hoorassic World and Land of the Beasts walkthroughs, home to some of the UK’s most lifelike animatronic dinosaurs and Ice Age creatures. This immersive, interactive space adds another exciting layer to the prehistoric experience at Hoo Zoo, combining education and spectacle under one roof.

Inside, visitors can get up close with real prehistoric fossils and replica props, including a Woolly Rhino skull, Woolly Mammoth tusks, and an impressive Cave Bear skull. Fans of Nigel’s hit TV series Prehistoric Park will also be thrilled to see original Deinosuchus and Ornithomimus props from the show, bringing the beloved time-travelling adventure to life like never before.

Best known for Walking with Dinosaurs, Prehistoric Park, Ten Deadliest Snakes, and Nigel’s Wild Wild World, Nigel Marven will return to Hoo Zoo for two full days of prehistoric celebration. As part of ‘Prehistoric Park Live’, Nigel will host Q&A sessions for both children and adults, sharing stories from his incredible career, conservation work around the world, and inevitably addressing the question of whether he really did time travel. Visitors will also have the chance to get photos and autographs with the legendary presenter.

“Our vision for the Discovery Centre was to create a space where guests can connect even more deeply with the creatures and stories of the prehistoric world,” said Will Dorrell, owner of Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World. “Having Nigel Marven open it is the perfect way to launch this new chapter, we’re huge fans of his work, and we know our visitors are too.”

In addition to the Discovery Centre launch, ‘Prehistoric Park Live’ will feature interactive dinosaur and Ice Age-themed activities, including chances to meet the zoo’s animatronic beasts, handle real fossils, and explore the zoo’s natural woodland habitats, which are home to living Ice Age descendants like Eurasian Lynx and Fallow Deer.

‘Prehistoric Park Live’ takes place on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June 2025, and the event is included in the standard admission to Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World. Due to expected demand, pre-booking is highly recommended.