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Chester Zoo

Cheshire

Booking Chester Zoo

  • See over 37,000 animals in one of the UK’s biggest zoos.
  • Explore immersive habitats from rainforests to islands.
  • Scheduled keeper talks to catch animal feeds and quick-fire facts.
Prices from: £25.45
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Chester Zoo is one of the UK’s largest and most popular zoos, home to over 35,000 animals across 500+ species, housed within 51 hectares (125 acres) of landscaped habitats in Upton‑by‑Chester, Cheshire.

Times

April to early May: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Late May to late July: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Late July to early September: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

September to early November: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

November to December: 10:00 am – 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm View all available times here

Attraction Duration

3-4 hours

Age Range

Great for Kids

Attraction Overview

Founded in 1931 by George Mottershead and his family, Chester Zoo has grown into the UK’s most‑visited wildlife attraction, managed by the North of England Zoological Society and entirely self‑funded. The zoo is globally renowned for its innovative exhibits, conservation work, and immersive themed habitats such as the recently unveiled “Heart of Africa,” which covers 22.5 acres and showcases 57 African species living in a shared savannah environment.

Its collection spans iconic species from snow leopards and Humboldt penguins to Sumatran orangutans and red pandas, as well as immersive zones like the Islands, Tropical Realm, Tsavo Rhino Experience, and the Madagascar Forest walk‑through. In 2024, the zoo welcomed snow leopards to its new Himalayan habitat, further strengthening its role in international conservation and education.

Be sure to explore...

  • Madagascar Forest walk‑through, getting up close to lemurs, fossa, and critically endangered sifakas.
  • Islands exhibit with boat ride. Stroll across themed zones and view endangered Southeast Asian species like cassowaries and Visayan warty pigs.
  • Britain’s largest tropical house, home to free‑flying birds, lush vegetation, and cascading habitats.
  • The humid pathways of Monsoon Forest, with rainforest plants, birds and reptiles all around you.

How to get here

By car, take the M56 motorway to Junction 14, then follow brown zoo signs along the A5117 and A41. From Chester city centre, it's about 15 minutes by taxi or the X1 bus, which runs regularly. By train, travel to Chester Station, then catch the X1 bus or a short taxi ride to the zoo. The zoo’s postcode is CH2 1EU for sat navs. Parking is free

Get here by Public Transport

The 1 and X1 bus from Chester Railway Station stop right outside Chester Zoo.