Drusillas Park Reopening Date And Guidelines

Drusillas Park will be reopening this Friday (26) with extra measures in place to help protect visitors.

After being shut for nearly 100 days the wildlife park in Alfriston said they're excited to open their doors to visitors again this weekend.

Deputy Managing Director, Cassie Poland, said:

"We are really excited to be reopening, in all honesty Friday can’t come quick enough!

"We made the decision not to open on 15th June with all the other zoos because we felt it was important to take our time and make sure we have got everything right.

"The health and safety of both our staff and visitors is absolutely paramount and we weren’t willing to compromise on that for the sake of an early open. However, we are now fully prepped and ready and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back!"

Staff have installed social distancing signage, placed hand sanitizers at frequent stops around the park, organized a one-way zoo route system and carried out individual training of staff from each department.

Cassie added:

"We have been working really hard to train our staff and make sure they practice good health and safety both for themselves and our visitors.

"Everyone is working as such a strong team and really pulling together to help out and make reopening possible.

"We are very proud of our Drusillas family."

"Some of the changes you will see at the Park include increased availability of hand sanitizers, enhanced cleaning regimes with a focus on touch points, floor signage to display social distancing requirements, queue management facilities, restricted visitor numbers, hygiene screens and the cancellation of any event that causes crowds to gather."

"But these are just a handful of our safety measures, if you want to read everything we have done to make Drusillas COVID-secure please just visit our website www.drusillas.co.uk and view either our FAQ’s page or Staying Safe at Drusillas Page."

Only the zoo will reopen during the first week while the rides and play areas remain closed.

Oasis Cafe will be serving takeaway food and drink and there will be one shop open, with a restriction on the number of people allowed in at any given time.

A new area called Jurassic Jungle will be opening for the first time to visitors.

Cassie said they were ready to open the area just before lockdown was announced: 

"We are so excited to finally be able to show everyone Jurassic Jungle! 

"It was so such a shame because it’s such a great attraction and we were so looking forward to sharing it with everyone.

"But good things come to those who wait, so it’ll be a wonderful surprise for everyone on Friday."

From July 4th Drusillas will be re-opening many of their other outdoor attractions including the rides and play areas. Some attractions, such as their indoor play facilities, may remain closed.

Deputy Managing Director, Cassie Poland said they really want to emphasise the importance of following the safety guidelines they have set out:

"They are there for everyone’s protection and if we all work together we can ensure a safe day out for all.

“We also cannot stress enough the importance of booking your tickets online before you visit.

"We are operating a limited capacity so once we are full we will have to restrict entries. So please, if you are coming to visit us, book your tickets online first.

“We are thrilled to be reopening and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.

"Friday is going to be a very happy day for us all!”