Rules of Entry

We very much hope that you enjoy your visit to the park, set in 65 acres of the most beautiful scenery in the heart of the Dorset countryside, it will provide you with a rare opportunity to observe these magnificent primates as they go about their daily business, living naturally in groups, free from harm.

We would like to remind our visitors that we are a rescue and rehabilitation centre and not a zoo and as such, we do not put our primates on display.  Our enclosures are large and have been designed specifically to meet the needs of the primates.  Almost all of the primates at the park have been rescued from exploitation, abuse, and neglect.  Our aim is to rehabilitate them and allow them to live out the remainder of their lives in a safe, happy and healthy environment with others of their own kind.

We kindly ask you to read our terms and conditions, and respect our rules of entry to the park.

  1. Monkey World has updated rules of entry due to Covid-19. All tickets must be pre-booked. Please see our full opening information here.
  2. Please do not attempt to feed our primates. Our primates are fed specific diets to meet their individual nutritional needs and excess food or sugar can, in some cases, cause serious health problems.
  3. Do not stand on or climb the barriers to get closer to the primates.   The barriers are there in accordance with wild animal licensing and are considered to be of a safe distance to protect not only the public, but to also ensure the safety of our primates.
  4. Monkey World can not guarantee the viewing of every primate on any singular day. The primates here are rescued and have the choice whether to be inside, outside or in off-show private areas. The activity and location of the primates depends entirely on the moods of the individuals. We have Keeper Talks throughout the afternoon (12.30pm until 3pm) at which scatter feeds are usually given, and so many of the primates will be seen. These are a great opportunity to learn about the primates that we have here at the park, and the work that we do. The keepers will be happy to point out individuals. Veterinary care, maintenance work, introductions or other animal management may mean that individual primates will be unable to be seen without prior notice, although we will endeavour to notify the public on the website and/or social media during these times.
  5. Do not bang on the glass at the viewing areas.  This causes distress to the primates and considerable damage to the glass.
  6. Photography.  We are happy for you to photograph or video our primates as a reminder of your visit to the park, however this must be for personal use only.  You may not use photographs or videos taken of our primates, staff or park, for any commercial purposes. Exploitation is exactly what we rescued many of our primates from, and so Monkey World retains the copyright of their images.
  7. Do not photograph or video any member of staff or other visitors without their knowledge and permission.
  8. Behaviour. Whilst on park premises, children must remain under the control and supervision of an adult at all times. Visitors must comply with staff requests to move away from enclosures, or viewing windows, for the safety & well-being of our primates.
  9. Alcohol. Under no circumstances may alcohol be brought into or consumed in the park at any time. Any visitor found with alcohol, or under the influence of alcohol, will be asked to leave the park with no right to refund.
  10. We continuously strive to ensure that the park is safe and that no harm can come to you during your visit.  However ours is primarily an external environment affected by the changing seasons.  Our walkways are designed to be slip-free, but we ask you to wear sensible footwear.  The park can also get busy, so please take your time and enjoy your visit.
  11. In the interest of safety, please do not bring the following items onto the park premises:
    – Barbeques
    – Balloons
    – Scooters
    – Bicycles
    – Rollerblades
    – Skates
    – Skateboards
  12. Zero Tolerance – The park has chosen to adopt a ‘Zero Tolerance‘ approach towards members of the public behaving in a aggressive manner towards our staff any visitor behaving in this way will be asked to leave the park and no refund will be given.
  13. Smoking is only permitted in one of the designated areas; we would kindly ask visitors to refrain from smoking in any other area of the park.  A fire could be devastating, so please comply with this request. We also ask visitors using “vapes” or e-cigarettes to be considerate of others, and refrain from using them inside, and by viewing windows.
  14. Rubbish bins are provided throughout the park – please help us to keep our park tidy and free from litter by using the bins provided.
  15. Whilst inside the Park all visitors must comply with any instructions given to them by Monkey World staff and management. We reserve the right, to refuse admission to the park, ban from entry to the park, or remove from the park without right to refund any person who is likely to affect the safety and/or enjoyment of other visitors or staff or the welfare of any of the primates.
  16. Adoptive parents can use their annual pass to the park every day the park is open. In some extreme circumstances we may have to close the park for visitor and primate safety. We cannot offer a reimbursement for these times.
  17. Dogs and other pets are not permitted into the park.  Our rescued and endangered primates become very upset and agitated by dogs, and Monkey World is their home and safe haven so we do not allow dogs in the park.  However we do accept Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Registered Assistance Dogs, with prior notification only by calling the office on 01929 462537 (Mon-Fri) or 01929 401012 (weekends) and on production of their ID book.  In the interest of animal welfare, please refrain from leaving pets in your vehicle during your visit.  We reserve the right to contact any relevant authority if we feel that an animal left in a vehicle in our car park is suffering or distressed in any way.If alternative arrangements can be made this would probably be best. There are local kennels who can provide day boarding, such as Margaret Green.
  18. Disabled visitors.  We welcome disabled visitors to the park.  Discounted entry fees are available, but proof of entitlement will be required. One essential carer will be admitted free of charge when the disabled visitor pays full price entrance, on production of blue badge, PIP or DLA documentation.
  19. For reasons of public safety, we reserve the right to refuse entry to the Park in the event that the capacity for visitors at the Park is reached.
  20. In order to gain re-entry on the day of admittance, you must have your hand stamped by a member of staff prior to exiting the park.
  21. Primate Planet Productions and/or other authorised parties carry out filming at the park from time to time.  We make every effort to ensure that visitors to the park are not captured on film, however we cannot guarantee this.  Therefore, by accepting the rules of entry to the park, you agree that we have the right to use any such images in any promotional, advertising or publicity material, worldwide, in perpetuity, and on any media.

Your entrance to the park acknowledges acceptance of the park’s Rules of Entry.