Gatwick Zoo, a popular family attraction in Charlwood, Surrey, that housed approximately 900 birds and mammals, closed permanently in September 2002 after 29 years of operation. The 11.4-acre site has since been converted into a residential development featuring 17 homes.
Zoo history and closure
Opened in 1973 by Terry and Sheila Thorpe, the zoo began as a hobby and grew into a thriving business, attracting up to 70,000 visitors annually during its peak in the 1990s. However, attendance declined in later years, hastening its closure. The Thorpes decided to retire, and the zoo shut its gates in September 2002.
Terry Thorpe had considered closing earlier, but the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001 prompted him to operate for one more season. After 30 years, he said he would miss the “excitement” of witnessing newly hatched eggs and caring for threatened species, but not the litter picking or regulatory burdens.
Planning battle and development
Selling the green belt land proved challenging. A public inquiry addressed local concerns about traffic and neighborhood impacts. The Secretary of State approved exceptional circumstances for 17 homes on part of the site. An arrangement with Mr. Thorpe led to a mix of compact and affordable properties. Mr. Thorpe praised Mole Valley’s planning department, saying, “I have to say that I thought the planning department at Mole Valley were magnificent throughout. They couldn't have been more helpful.”
Relocation of animals
The zoo’s animals were moved to other UK zoos, including Chessington Zoo, Colchester Zoo, and Edinburgh Zoo. During the 1990s, Gatwick Zoo expanded its species knowledge by acquiring animals from the closed Windsor Safari Park.
