Sea Lion Pools At Dudley Zoo

The Sea Lion Pools at Dudley Zoo are a Grade II listed structure designed in the mid-20th century. The pools and their surrounding features are arranged symmetrically to fit within the castle moat, reflecting its curved shape and narrow depth. The elongated teardrop-shaped pools run east-west, connected at their narrowest point by a bridge that provides access to the castle from the restaurant located to the north. At the back of the moat, there are platforms and sleeping areas that follow the natural contours of the landscape.

Constructed from reinforced concrete, the pools are complemented by rubble stone retaining walls at the rear and a bridge that spans the junction between the two pools.

The exterior primarily features the two curving pools, which are linked at their narrowest point by a stone structure that has a single round-arched opening, facilitating access to the castle.

To the north, there is a public viewing area with two rectangular balconies that slightly extend over the edges of the pools. Although one of these balconies is partially removed and both are currently not accessible to the public, they originally featured an innovative parapet designed by Tecton for larger animal enclosures at Dudley Zoo. This low wall has its coping elevated on elliptical-section steel struts, allowing adults to lean comfortably while enabling children to see the animals without needing to be lifted.

To the south, against the retaining wall at the back of the enclosure, a series of curving platforms are accessible via sloping ramps, providing resting space for the animals. Beneath these platforms are simple rectangular sleeping areas, each featuring a series of square openings.