It was a family-friendly zoo home to roughly 900 birds and mammals until it closed in September 2002 – but what became of the site?
Once a beloved destination where families spent their days getting up close with animals from across the globe, this cherished zoo has since been transformed into a housing estate.
Spanning 11.4 acres in Surrey, it was a popular family attraction that was home to approximately 900 birds and mammals before it sadly shut its gates for good.
Gatwick Zoo in Charlwood welcomed visitors from 1973 right through to September 2002, holding a special place in the hearts of many who spent their childhoods there and visited with those closest to them. What began as a hobby blossomed into a thriving business for owners Terry and Sheila Thorpe over three decades, before they ultimately decided to call it a day and retire.
The once-treasured wildlife haven has since been redeveloped, making way for a modern housing estate.
The land on which the zoo stood in Charlwood fell within a green belt area, posing quite a hurdle for the owners when it came to selling up. The Secretary of State ruled that special circumstances existed to permit 17 homes to be constructed on part of the site.
This triggered a public inquiry, with concerns raised over the additional traffic the development would bring to the area, alongside other local issues. Despite the opposition, a deal was struck with Mr Thorpe, and the project resulted in a significant number of smaller, affordable homes being built across the land.
At the time, Mr Thorpe revealed: “I have to say that I thought the planning department at Mole Valley were magnificent throughout. They couldn’t have been more helpful.”
Additionally, their extensive animal collection needed to be relocated elsewhere. The creatures were distributed to various reputable establishments throughout the UK, including Chessington Zoo, Colchester Zoo, and Edinburgh Zoo.
Prior to this closure, during the 1990s, Gatwick Zoo had actually bolstered its own stock with several species acquired from the defunct Windsor Safari Park.
During its peak years, the attraction is believed to have drawn approximately 70,000 visitors annually, though numbers declined towards the end, contributing to the decision to shut down.
In fact, Mr Thorpe had contemplated closing earlier than eventually announced, but a disappointing summer in 2001, compounded by the foot and mouth outbreak, persuaded him to continue for another season.
Having devoted three decades to the zoo, Mr Thorpe acknowledged he would miss the “excitement” of witnessing new eggs hatching or assisting endangered species, though the position involved far more responsibilities. He confessed he wouldn’t miss cleaning up rubbish or constantly navigating rules and regulations.
The attraction officially shut its doors in September 2002, ending a substantial 29-year period of providing local communities direct access to wildlife experiences.
