cost to visit chester zoo

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Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is located in Upton just outside Chester and is home to over 21,000 animals set in 125 acres of gardens.  Whether you are young or old you are sure to have a great day out exploring this fantastic attraction.  Over 1.9 million people visit here every year.  The zoo has a variety of tours available to keep your little monkeys happy.  Forbes described the Zoo as one of the best fifteen in the World and in 2017 it was named the best Zoo in the UK and Third in the World by TripAdvisor.  Chester Zoo is operated by the North of England Zoological Society, a registered charity set-up in 1934.

The zoo has numerous cafes and restaurants scattered about to keep you fuelled up the day.  On site there is a monorail to get around on and explore the islands located at the zoo.

Chester Zoo Tickets

Book your tickets below for instant conformation.  Show your ticket at the entrance to Chester Zoo and enter a wonderland of green gardens, exotic and endangered animals, and enticing play areas.  Convenient and flexible cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit.

Hotels Near Chester Zoo

Use the interactive map below for have a look at out guide for hotels near Chester Zoo .

Tours & Activities Near Chester Zoo

Chester zoo islands.

Explore the environments of six South East Asian Islands on your wildlife expedition.  Discover the island habitats of Panay, Papua, Bali, Sumatra, Sumba and Sulawesi and find some of the world’s most magnificent wildlife.  You’ll feel like a group of intrepid explorers learning real life conservation skills.  Watch out for tigers as you make your way through the bamboo forest, observe the macaques on Sulawesi and take the Lazy River Boat Trip from Sumba.

We’re bringing the incredible island of Madagascar to you!  Join us as we celebrate this amazing habitat, the wildlife found there and just what makes this part of the world so unique!

Learn more about the unique species only found in Madagascar, including our ring-tailed lemurs and the islands top predator, the fossa.

Lazy River Boat Trip

After exploring the Islands on foot, you also have the option to discover the Islands on the lazy river boat trip.

Look out for signs to the Lazy River Boat Trip on Sumba island and make your way past the bird market towards the jetty. Here you’ll hop onto one of the 14 Lazy River boats – all individually themed around a different South East Asian island.

As you meander down the river, listen out for the many different sounds; it’s important to stay focused as you sail past tribal lands and danger signs…

• Passengers must be able to walk unaided (babies and children may not be carried). 
• Children under 1.2 metres tall must be accompanied at a ratio of 1 adult to 2 children.
• Wheelchair adaptable boats are available with one space for a manual wheelchair each. Unfortunately we are unable to allow access to visitors with electric wheelchairs.

Chester Zoo Opening Times

July 28th June 2024 – 29nd July 2024 Monday – Sunday 10:00am-18:00pm July/August 30th July 2024 – 3rd September 2024 Monday – Sunday 10:00am – 18:00pm May  9th May 2025 – 26th May 2025 Monday – Sunday 10:00am – 17:00pm May Half Term 27th May 2025- 4th June 2025 Monday – Sunday 10:00am – 18:00pm June/July 5th June 2025- 22nd July 2025 Monday – Sunday 10:00am – 17:00pm

Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day. Open Christmas Eve 10am – 3pm.

Chester Zoo Tickets & Prices 2024

Adults – From £26.40 Groups Family Ticket – (2 adults, 2 children) – From £95.43 Carer for disabled guest – Free Child (3-15 yrs) – From £20.80 Groups Toddlers (1-2) – £2.00 Babies (0-1) – FREE

Chester Zoo Book Tickets

Get the best price when you buy your ticket online and beat the queues with fast track admission. Chester Zoo have flexible pricing for families too! Discounted rates for group and school visits. For accurate prices go to www.chesterzoo.org

Can you refund Chester Zoo tickets? 

Chester Zoo admission tickets can be used once and are valid for 12 months.  Admission tickets are non-refundable and cannot be used to receive a discounted rate on their memberships or in conjunction with any promotional offer

Chester Zoo Annual Membership Prices

Join Chester Zoo by becoming a yearly member (annual pass) and you’ll get a whole year of FREE unlimited entry plus lots of other great benefits.  Memberships can be bought for yourself or for someone else as a gift.

Membership Packages Include:

• Unlimited FREE entry for 12 months (during normal opening hours)
• Beat the queues with fast track entry
• 10% members’ discount in the shops and cafes
• Free entry to other zoos and attractions (terms apply)
• Quarterly members’ magazine Z
• Two members’ days where you can bring up to 12 guests each for half price
• Access to Junior members’ events and days out (age restrictions and additional charges)
• Chester Zoo car sticker
• Invitations to special members’ talks

Food & Restaurants

Kiosks – There is lots of kiosks around the Zoo serving drinks & snacks while you are on the move.

Jaguar Coffee House –  Situated next to the Jaguar house, the coffee shop serves lots of different treats and hot drinks with lots of outside seating.

Junes Food Court –  Named after June Mottershead, the founder’s daughter.  You will find lots of different choices to suit everyone here as well as family meal deals.  There is freshly baked pizzas, fish & chips, burgers, a healthy deli and even a ice cream parlour.  There is lots of seating (plenty of high chairs) and there is a playground just outside.

Manado Street Kitchen –  After experiencing the wonderful sights of the Islands head to Manado street kitchen for some tasty street food and other authentic South East Asian inspired food.

Bembe Kitchen – Located at the main entrance it’s perfectly located for when you arrive or when it’s almost time to go home. Call in at the  Bembe Coffee Shop  and enjoy the special blend of ethical coffee here. The best bit is that the entrance to the Coffee Shop is in the Diamond Jubilee Quarter so you don’t have to have a ticket to visit the zoo to go there. You can pop in whenever you like and see the elephants and rhinos through the window.  In the Bembe Kitchen they serve homemade hot food from the counter or you can pick up a sandwich, snack or drink. You can even treat yourself with a selection of deliciously tempting cakes.  Bembe Snacks  is just opposite the monorail station and here you’ll find freshly made donuts, ice creams and drinks. Don’t miss the fizzy slush too!

The Oakfield –  George Mottershead had a vision of creating a zoo without bars, a haven for exotic animals to be cared for.  He moved his family to Oakfield House and they started to build their zoo.  A real family affair, ‘The Oakfield’ became the family home, a tea room, an aquarium and now a contemporary British pub that celebrates the rich heritage of Chester Zoo.  Today The Oakfield has been lovingly restored creating a relaxed space that will be the perfect setting to enjoy the best food and drink on offer.  Around the pub you’ll see precious family photographs and early zoo memories.

Still hungry then look at our guide to  Restaurants In Chester .

Chester Zoo Animals

Download a Map of Chester Zoo and discover what wonderful wildlife is to be discovered

There is over 27000 animals at the zoo from 500 different species , including some of the most exotic and endangered in the world.  These include Asian elephants, orangutans, sloths, penguins, giraffes, tigers, gorillas, jaguars, rhinos, red pandas, bears, monkeys, lions, hippos, lemurs, otters and zebras.  Chester Zoo has snow leopards!!! Check out their brand-new habitat on your next trip!  Are you as excited as we are?

Chester Zoo Experiences

A fantastic opportunity to get closer to the animals and go behind the scenes with the keepers.

Red Panda Encounter

Join us for an amazing opportunity to meet one of the cutest animals in the zoo in an experience you’ll never forget .

Step inside the red panda habitat and get up close to this unique and endangered species. Red pandas are cautious by nature and this encounter offers you the chance to meet and feed this enigmatic species in their own environment.

After an introductory briefing you will have a very special opportunity to meet and feed our beautiful red panda. You will also have the chance to ask one of our keepers any questions you may have and learn all about this fascinating and lovable species.

By buying this gift, for yourself or for someone else, not only will it be an experience to remember but you will also be contributing to our conservation work both here and around the world helping to save animals from extinction.

Encounter lasts approx 30 minutes and includes the following:

• Free admission into the zoo for the participant
• Complimentary drink
• The chance to meet and feed our red panda from an exclusive feeding station
• The opportunity to learn about these beautiful animals and ask our keepers any questions you may have
• Small gift and experience certificate

The Encounter is available for adults and children over the age of 8 years old. Children between the ages of 8-15 years old must be accompanied into Chester Zoo by a spectating parent or guardian paying normal zoo admission (1 adult per 1 child). The spectating parent or guardian will not enter the animal habitat.

There will be a maximum of two people taking part at any one time.  Prices from £75.00 per person.

Elephant Encounter

Our elephant herd at Chester Zoo are really special to us and to our visitors. Now we’ve created a brand new encounter that will get you closer than ever and give our elephants an experience that they love too.

You’ll have seen our elephants frolicking around in their pool. They love nothing more than freshening up and splashing around in water on a warm summer’s day.

And now we’re giving you the chance to meet our expert elephant keepers and get an exclusive, up close and personal encounter with our elephants – with the help of a water hose!

By buying this gift, for yourself or for someone else, not only will it be an experience to remember but you will also be contributing to our conservation work both here and around the world helping, to save animals from extinction.

• The chance to hose down the elephants from an exclusive washing station
• The opportunity to learn about these beautiful creatures and ask our keepers any questions you may have

For health and safety reasons this encounter is only available to over 18s. Only 1 person per encounter (guests are allowed to stand in a viewing area nearby to see the encounter as it happens).

Please be aware that we operate a no contact policy with our elephants so there will be no opportunity to touch the elephants during the encounter.  Prices from £110.00 per person.

Giraffe Encounter

Our Giraffe Encounter offers you the chance to get up close and personal with the tallest land animals, making your day at the zoo truly memorable!

After an introductory briefing you will then have the very special opportunity to meet and feed our Rothschild Giraffes at head height from our new viewing platform.

You will also get chance to ask one of our keepers any questions you may have.

• The chance to meet and feed our Giraffes at head height

The Encounter is available for adults and children over the age of 11 years old, however children between the ages of 11 to 15 years old must be accompanied by a spectating parent or guardian paying normal zoo admission (1 adult per 1 child). The spectating parent or guardian will not enter the animal habitat.

There will be a maximum of three people taking part at any one time.  Prices from £99.00 per person.

Rhino Encounter

Our Rhino Encounter offers you the chance to get up close and personal with our magnificent greater one-horned rhinos, making your day at the zoo one you’ll never forget !

After an introductory briefing with a zoo keeper you will then have the very special opportunity to meet and feed a magnificent greater one-horned rhino from our exclusive feeding station.

• The chance to meet and feed one of our greater one-horned rhinoceros from an exclusive feeding station

The Encounter is available for those aged 18 and over only.

There will be a maximum of two people taking part at any one time.  Prices from £99.00 per person.

Aardvark Encounter

Our Aardvark Encounter offers you the chance go behind the scenes and join the aardvarks in their enclosure with the keeper.

After an introductory briefing you will have the very special opportunity to go inside the home of these unusual animals and, with the keeper’s guidance, feel the roughness of their skin and enjoy taking fantastic photos.

You will also get the chance to ask one of our keepers any questions you may have about these amazing animals.

• The chance to meet our aardvarks in their home

The Encounter is available for adults and children over the age of 8 years old, however children between the ages of 8 to 15 years old must be accompanied by a spectating parent or guardian paying normal zoo admission (1 adult per 1 child). The spectating parent or guardian will not enter the animal habitat.

There will be a maximum of two people taking part at any one time.

Just so you know. ..  the shutter sounds/clicking noises from DSLR type cameras agitates the aardvarks, and so for this reason we only allow ‘silent’ cameras and camera phones on this encounter.  Prices from £69.00 per person.

Penguin Encounter

Our Penguin Encounter offers you the chance to get up close and personal with our colony of Humboldt penguins, making your day at the zoo even more memorable!

After an introductory briefing you will then have the very special experience of meeting and feeding our penguins in the penguin habitat

By buying this gift, for yourself or for someone else, not only will it be an experience to remember but you will also be contributing to our conservation work both here and around the world helping, to save animals from extinction.

• Free admission into the zoo for the participant
• The chance to meet and feed our colony of penguins
• The opportunity to learn about these beautiful animals and ask one of our keepers any questions you may have

The Encounter is available for adults and children over the age of 5 years old, however children between the ages of 5 to 15 years old must be accompanied by a spectating parent or guardian paying normal zoo admission (1 adult per 1 child). The spectating parent or guardian will not enter the animal habitat.

There may be 1 other participant taking part in the same Encounter.  Prices from £89.00 per person.

Meerkat Encounter

Our Meerkat Encounter offers you the chance to get up close to these highly sociable and fascinating creatures, making your day at the zoo truly memorable!

After an introductory briefing you will then have the amazing experience of feeding our Meerkats from a keeper feeding station, as well as the opportunity to ask one of our keepers any questions you may have.

• Free admission into the zoo for the participant
• The chance to feed our Meerkats (from a keeper feeding station)

The encounter is available for adults and children over the age of 7 years old; however children between the ages of 7 to 15 years old must be accompanied by a spectating parent or guardian paying normal zoo admission (1 adult per 1 child). The spectating parent or guardian will not enter the animal habitat.

There will be a maximum of four people taking part at any one time.  Prices from £69.00 per person.

Fruit Bat Encounter

After an introductory briefing you will then have the very special opportunity to feed our bats in Fruit Bat Forest.

You will also get the chance to ask one of our Keepers any questions you may have.

• The chance to feed our Fruit Bats
• The opportunity to learn about these inquisitive animals and ask our Keepers any questions you may have

The Encounter is available for adults and children over the age of 10 years old. Children between the ages of 10-15 years old must be accompanied into Chester Zoo by a spectating parent or guardian paying normal zoo admission (1 adult per 1 child). The spectating parent or guardian will not enter the animal habitat.

There will be a maximum of three people taking part at any one time.  Prices from £59.00 per person.

Chester Zoo Adopt An Animal

Adoptions are the perfect gift for animal lovers and prices start from just £45.00.  There are 4 different packages including gold, silver, bronze and junior.  Not only will you be helping fund the conservation work in the UK and all around the world, you will receive an exclusive adoption pack and your name will be displayed on a ‘Thank You’ plaque near the habitat of your chosen animal.  For more information please visit https://www.chesterzoo.org/online-shop/adopt-an-animal/

Chester Zoo Keeper For A Day

Ever fancied mucking in (or mucking out) with a real-life zoo keeping team? Well now’s your chance!

Chester Zoo are one of the only zoos in the UK that offers a one-to-one personal keeper day working with the animal section of your choice.

You can choose from a range of animals to look after, including some of the world’s most endangered species.

Working alongside the expert keepers, you’ll learn a huge amount about your chosen animal, and about life at the zoo. As well as having a brilliant time!

Starting at 8am and finishing at 5pm, you’ll get involved in every part of the Keeper’s day, from preparing food to feeding and cleaning out. Plus whatever surprises may come along.

We hold our Keeper Days on Wednesdays and bookings and payments are taken over the phone.

Tea breaks and lunch are all included, plus you’ll get a signed certificate in a presentation pack and a gift to remember your special day.

All the money we raise through this scheme goes to support our wide range of conservation work at the zoo and around the world. Right now the Zoo have projects running in over 100 countries. So your day as a keeper will be making a difference to worldwide conservation too!  Prices from £250-£280 per person, full day experience, 8am-5pm.  Over 18s only.

Chester Zoo Gift Shop

There is lots of souvenirs, books and toys to buy in the shop at the zoo entrance, so you can carry on playing and learning at home. All purchases made in the shops help fund the Zoo’s vital conservation work.

There is also loads of wild and inspirational gifts and products that you won’t find in the shops, so catch them while you can.

Situated at the main entrance, the main Gift Shop is a treasure trove of all things wildlife.  The range of toys, books, souvenirs and handicrafts are specially sourced and are often handmade from the UK and around the world.

When approaching Chester keep an out for the brown signs.  Once you get onto the A41, from whichever direction, simply stay on that road until you reach a roundabout with a large wooden ark on it. From there follow the signs into the zoo.  The postcode for sat nav is CH2 1EU.

From Chester take the number 1 service from Chester bus exchange.

Chester Zoo is a couple of miles from both Chester Station and Bache Station.

From Bache Station, you can take the PR3, 2, 1, X1 buses to the Zoo.

From Chester Station, you can take the PR3, 1, 5, X1 buses to the zoo.

Accessibility

https://www.accessable.co.uk/venues/chester-zoo

Chester Zoo Address

Address : Chester Zoo, Upton by Chester, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 1EU Phone Number : 01244 380 280

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is chester zoo.

Chester Zoo is located in Upton just outside Chester City Centre

What time does Chester Zoo Open?

Chester Zoo is open from 10am-5pm daily

How much is Chester Zoo?

Prices for an adult start from £26.40 & a child is £20.80

How many animals at Chester Zoo?

There is currently 35,139 animals at Chester Zoo

Who owns Chester Zoo?

Chester Zoo is operated by the North of England Zoological Society

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Everything you need to know about Chester Zoo

• Animals & Nature in Chester - Visit Chester

Chester Zoo is known as one of the premier zoos in the UK, if not Europe. You can see over 500 species across the 128 acres, and in this guide, we’ll provide key information about the zoo.

Where is Chester Zoo?

Chester Zoo is located in Upton-upon-Chester, a suburb on the outskirts of Chester.

Given its location in the heart of the North West of England, Chester is easily reachable by car from several UK cities. It is only 35 minutes from Chester, and 50 minutes from Manchester. You can get to the zoo in 1 hour 40 minutes from Birmingham, and in two hours from Nottingham.

How to get to Chester Zoo

Located off the A41, the zoo has easy connections to the motorway, being near to the M56. The M56 runs east to west through Cheshire connecting with the M6 motorway (for the Midlands and the South) and the M62 motorway (for Manchester, Liverpool and Yorkshire).

If you are coming by train, both Chester and Bache stations are just two miles from the zoo. From both Chester and Bache train stations, you can take several regular buses to the zoo, including the X1 and the PR3, or take a taxi.

There is nothing to stop you from coming to Chester Zoo by foot or bike – in fact, the zoo will give you 15% off your ticket price if you come by bike to reward this green choice. Walkers from Chester or the bus stop near the zoo can take a shortcut to the main entrance via the public bridle path from Flag Lane North. Directions to the bridle path are available on the Chester Zoo website. Cyclists will find plenty of bike racks awaiting them at the zoo, and can hand in a voucher downloadable from the Chester Zoo website to claim their 15% off discount.

Chester Zoo opening times

Chester Zoo operates all-year round and opens every day from 10 am.

Closing time varies throughout the year – from the earliest of 4pm during winter, to 6 pm during the summer months. Closing times may also vary during holiday periods.

Parking at Chester Zoo

There is ample free parking on-site at Chester Zoo, with 6,000 spaces in total.

Drivers of electric cars can power up using one of 26 7kw charging points at the zoo, with each bay offering a Type 2 universal socket. Electricity is charged per kwh.

There are also premium parking spaces available to book online, charged at £5 per spot.

What is there to see at Chester Zoo?

There are a wide variety of animals to see at Chester Zoo; from amphibians to birds, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles.

Chester Zoo is a conservation-based zoo which strives to protect some of the world’s most rare animals from extinction. Among the rare types of animals born at Chester Zoo are a Malayan tapir (large herbivore similar to a pig), an okapi calf forest giraffe, a Visayan warty piglet, and an eastern bongo (the rarest critically endangered mammal in Africa).

The zoo spreads the animals into different zones over a wide expanse, including areas such as the Tropical Realm and Monsoon Forest. One of the most popular attractions is Islands, which opened in 2015. Visitors can immerse themselves in an environment which imitates the tropical islands of South East Asia, such as Bali, Sumatra, Papua and Panay. These ‘replicas’ of tropical forests contain rare and endangered species such as the Visayan warty piglet.

There are also plants and gardens throughout Chester Zoo. Eye-catching areas of vegetation include the Nepenthes National Plant Collection, which showcases endangered varieties kept in special conditions, and the Botanist’s Lab, a display made entirely from recycled materials.

Booking tickets

You can book tickets for Chester Zoo online via the official website. You can also pay on the day, purchasing your tickets at the ticket windows.

If you have a gift voucher, there is no need to pre-book a ticket. Simply present your gift voucher at the admissions window.

Carers of visitors with disabilities are permitted free entry. Carer tickets can be collected from the ticket windows on arrival, and require a support document such as a disability allowance or PIP letter.

Chester Zoo cost

Tickets to Chester Zoo vary in price according to the time of year you visit. Check ticket prices online using the calendar on the official Chester Zoo website – select the date on which you want to visit to bring up prices.

Adults can expect to pay around £30 for a day ticket, with children over the age of three charged around £20 to £25. Student tickets are priced a little cheaper than adult tickets. Children under the age of two but over 12 months pay less than £5, with babies under 12 months permitted free entry.

You may also see Chester Zoo day tickets for sale from affiliate sites and agents. These tickets may be priced higher than tickets from the official Chester Zoo site due to the addition of a commission fee.

Members of Chester Zoo get unlimited free entry for the whole year. Membership prices at the time of writing are £110 per annum for adults and £82 for 2-17 year-olds. There are discounts on offer for large groups and schools.

Food at Chester Zoo

If you are spending the day at Chester Zoo there will be plenty of opportunities for you and your group to eat. The zoo has located ‘Outposts’ – its name for snack huts – throughout the site. They serve ice cream and drinks, as well as a variety of hot dogs including original, chilli cheese and vegetarian.

For something more substantial, there is The Oakfield, a gastropub with indoor and outdoor seating. Serving everything from fish and chips to pork chop, Caesar salad and afternoon tea, the pub caters to a variety of palates.

There are other restaurants on site. Manado Street Kitchen serves fast food with an Asian twist, with dishes such as Indonesian Fried Chicken Sandwich on the menu. Then there is June’s Food Court, offering kid-friendly treats such as burger and chips, sausage and chips, and pizza.

Accessibility at Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is fully accessible for visitors with wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There is free disabled parking by the main entrance, and accessible pathways throughout the site. Wheelchairs and electric scooters can be hired for free, on condition of a £25 refundable deposit. This requires pre-booking and hire is not available on the day.

Toilet facilities are accessible across the site, and in the Jubilee toilets, there is a changing space with hosts, an adjustable bed, and a sink. A wheelchair lift or assistance may be needed to see attractions such as the Realm of the Red Ape or the Elephant and Wooden Bats bridges which have a sharp gradient.

Assistance dogs are welcome on site, provided they are registered with an accredited training provider. The zoo advises that registered assistance dogs should be kept up to date with their inoculations and be kept under control on a lead at all times.

Chester Zoo conservation initiative

In its role as a conservation and education charity, Chester Zoo supports over 80 projects that are helping to fight against the extinction of animals in various countries worldwide. The zoo intensively manages animal populations to help preserve their future.

The history of Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo was opened in 1931 by George Mottershead, a florist and pet seller, and his family.

The zoo developed rapidly after the Second World War, and in 1950 featured a polar bear exhibit that was constructed entirely from war-time materials.

Mottershead stood by a belief that cages for animals should be avoided, instead preferring moats and ditches where possible.

After the turn of the millennium, ambitious plans for the construction of a marina and hotel linked to the zoo were shelved due to lack of funding. In 2010, the zoo broke its record for visitor numbers when 1.4 million people passed through its gates.

We’ll wrap up this guide by answering some common questions about Chester Zoo:

How long does it take to walk around Chester Zoo?

How long it takes to walk around Chester Zoo will depend on the pace of your group, and how long you stay in each area. It is possible to go around the entire site in just over two hours at a brisk pace. However, many groups will opt to spend a whole day at the zoo; from opening time at 10am through until closing time.

Attractions along the way – such as the boat ride and monorail – can take up time. You may also want to factor in the time it takes to take a break for snacks or a meal.

Can you take your own food into Chester Zoo?

The zoo invites visitors to bring their own food, including picnics. There are outdoor and indoor picnic areas provided on site, and the zoo urges visitors to use these zones for picnics, taking their waste home with them if possible.

Note that visitors are not allowed to bring alcohol, barbecue equipment and glass containers into the zoo.

What ages is Chester Zoo suitable for?

Chester Zoo is suitable for people of all ages. It is a popular attraction with children, who must be accompanied by an adult if under the age of 16. Chester Zoo is also suitable for senior citizens and offers accessibility for people with mobility problems.

Some attractions do have age restrictions. For example, Early Access Bird Photography Experience is only available to children aged 12 and over.

What happens when it rains at Chester Zoo?

Chester Zoo has several indoor attractions to see during inclement weather. These include exhibits such as the Realm of the Red Ape, Spirit of The Jaguar, Monsoon Forest and the Spirit of the Jaguar.

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Chester Zoo prices, parking and opening times – Your guide for the ultimate day out

Everything you need to know for a brilliant family adventure

• 22:01, 1 APR 2022
• Updated 14:52, 25 APR 2022

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It's been named the best zoo in the UK and the sixth in the entire world - so Chester Zoo is definitely worth a visit.

Pulling in 2 million visitors every year, the popular attraction is an all-year round, full-day visitor fun-filled experience for everyone.

From parking, prices and the best things to do while on site, here's our ultimate guide to having a great day out at Chester Zoo .

What time does Chester Zoo open?

The zoo is open 7 days a week from 10am-5.30pm up until April 18, 2022, but between April 19 and April 29, it will shut earlier at 5pm. From April 30, it will close at either 5pm or 6pm, but it's best to double check on for exactly when the zoo shuts on its website as it varies over this time period.

It will be closed to the public on Christmas Day and Boxing Day as well as two days on 8 November and 9 November.

The Diamond Jubilee Quarter at the main entrance opens at 9.30am each day so you can enjoy a coffee and a snack in Bembe Coffee Shop or browse the Gift Shop before the zoo opens itself.

The last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

How much does it cost?

Admission prices vary depending on which day you choose to visit the zoo. The best prices are when you book online and you can do this up until 9.30am on the day of your visit, which will make you a saving compared with paying at the gate.

Generally, you can get tickets on the gate costing £24 per adult and £20 per child, although you're entitled to a saving of up to 12% with a family ticket.

Or you could get a membership ticket which gives you a year of free unlimited entry plus other benefits including fast track entry, 10% discount in the zoo's shops and cafés and a members' magazine.

A standard price membership for an adult is £96, £192 for two adults and £75 for a child aged 3-17. Family tickets are also available at variable prices, and you can also join by Direct Debit and split the cost of annual membership over four payments.

Full time students receive a discount of £6.

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Where can I park?

Chester Zoo has ample on-site parking which is free. The car park also contains eight x 7kw electric car charging points, each with a Type 2 universal socket, costing £3 per usage.

Can I bring pets?

All pets, with the exception of sensory dogs are not allowed entry into the zoo. As the zoo is a full day out, you shouldn't leave dogs or pets in your car.

What are the best things to see?

There are so many wonderful things to see at Chester Zoo, you literally won't know where to start.

With 21,000 animals to discover, including more than 500 species of rare, exotic and endangered wildlife, it can be difficult to fit everything you want to see in, but these are just a few attractions you really must try and see.

These include:

Islands - Chester will seem like a world away as you enter the six tropical islands that feature carnivorous plants, prehistoric-looking birds and the impressive Sunda gharial.

Watch out for tigers as you make your way through the bamboo forest, observe the macaques on Sulawesi and record the many different birds found in the Monsoon Forest.

Cross the Dragon Bridge between Papua and Bali, and then take the Lazy River Boat Trip from Sumba.

And make sure you sample the authentic Manado street food kitchen too.

Madagascar Play! - Here's where you can climb like a lemur and uncover tree-top hideaways in the Lost Forest as well as crawl across the scramble nets doing animal impressions!

Explore the Madagascar field station and find challenge boxes with a few wildlife surprises - or else just enjoy some fun and games with regular activities by the Zoo Rangers.

Fruit Bat Forest - Plunge yourself into darkness and get up close to the fascinating creatures that are bats.

The lighting is switched around so it's night-time for the bats in the day and daytime during the night. Watch the bats as they go about their nocturnal business - you may even be able to feel the air as they whoosh past you! Zoo staff do ask, though, that visitors to this part of the site wear a face mask.

Where can I eat and drink?

There are so many options to grab lunch at Chester Zoo. You can explore a taste of South East Asia at the Manado Street Kitchen which offers cuisine like Thai red chicken curry or falafel and hummus flatbreads and is open from 10am until 4pm; or find something more sustainably-sourced, like traditional fish and chips at June's Food Court .

Or you might prefer Bembe , where you can enjoy a coffee and cake, or homemade hot food, baguettes and ice creams. If you just want some coffee, check out the Jaguar Coffee House which provides beverages made from 100 percent organic puro beans.

There are also lots of kiosks scattered around the site, which serve drinks and snacks while you're on the move.

And opened in 2018 is The Oakfield pub - the historic home of Chester Zoo founder George Mottershead which has been lovingly restored to create a relaxing space where you can enjoy light bites or a sumptuous three course meal and drink and see precious family photographs and early zoo memories.

Before you leave don't forget to check out George's Sweet Shop . Nestled opposite The Oakfield pub, The Victorian-style store sells a range of sweet treats which will tickle your tastebuds. Large jars, chocolates and fudge are all on offer.

Getting around the zoo

You are able to hire wheelchairs or electric scooters free from Zoomobility located near the main entrance but you'll need to give a refundable £25 deposit.

Zoomobility is open every day during normal opening hours but make sure you pre-book as availability of wheelchairs and scooters is also subject to servicing, repairs and demand.

The zoo recommends booking well in advance - during busy periods the zoo can be booked up for 3 or 4 weeks in advance.

To help keep the wheelchairs and electric scooters ship shape there is a suggested donation of £10.

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The definitive guide to visiting Chester Zoo

• November 16, 2017
• 20 comments
• 5 minute read

I really love animals. I’m the kind of girl that has full conversations with her cats, is planning for the day I can have a dog and treats BBC’s Lonely Planet series like it’s the release of a new Star Wars film. Mr S and I point out every animal on our travels like it’s normal (dog owners think we are weird. And my biggest bucket list trip? I desperately want to go on Safari.

But zoos. Well I had this problem with zoos. Living so close to the capital, I’ve visited London Zoo a lot and I always hated how small it felt. That the animals just looked a little sad. It never sat well with me. And apart from the odd trip to a safari park (who have much bigger amounts of land, making it easier for animals to roam), I just stopped visiting animal parks in the UK. Especially zoos.

But that all changed when I accidentally stumbled upon The Secret Life of the Zoo , a television programme all about the goings on at Chester Zoo. I was immediately hooked. The programme featured keepers doing everything possible to make the animals in their care as healthy as possible – I started to learn a huge amount about the habitat requirements of all sorts of species. The site was vast – in fact the biggest zoo in Europe and their conservation programme across the whole world seemed incredible.

I was intrigued. So I went to visit on my most recent weekend break to Chester .

Chester Zoo, like most premier visitor attractions in the UK is well geared up to all sorts of visitors, including families. Whilst it is a vast site, there is plenty of seating, places to shelter from the rain (many of the animals have both indoor and outdoor locations meaning that even in the rain you can visit lots of excellent animals) and even a monorail to get around the site if you are feeling a little worn out from walking around.

In fact the monorail is awesome, as it travels high above many of the animal habitats so you can get an excellent view of your favourites whilst travelling in style and having a bit of a rest. The monorail is an extra cost on top of your ticket (£2.25 per adult, or £4.50 for an all day pass) – but that’s a small price to pay for a form of transport that even Her Majesty the Queen travelled on!

There is a great interactive map on the Chester Zoo website which allows you to plan your time in advance (especially good if there are some must-sees for you), but there is fantastic signage and maps across the whole site to get you on your way.

Food wise, it would be a great location for picnics in the warmer weather (and cheaper too), but as we travelled in poor weather, we took advantage of one of the many eateries on site. There is plenty to choose from – from kiosks, to street food to more cafeteria style dining. We grabbed a buttermilk chicken burger and fries from June’s Food Court  for £7.25 each and it was truly delicious! They also had options for fish and chips, curries and pasta there, as well as ice cream and sweets for those who are inclined.

The entrance fee is £24 per adult, but when you add up everything there is to explore inside, and the fact that some of the fee goes towards many of their conservation projects it doesn’t feel expensive. It’s actually cheaper to book online , so I would do that on my next visit.

Chester Zoo is set over 125 acres, and after a full day there, bot you’ll feel it. each individual habit is huge and there is plenty of space in between so it doesn’t feel cramped like many city zoos do. The zoo is split into four areas, each with animal attractions whose habitats make sense to be in close proximity, food options, toilet facilities, other fun things for families. Within that, there are habits such as the Fruit Bat Forest, Spirit of the Jaguar, the Tropical Realm and the Asian Plains.

It’s easy to navigate.

One of my favourite areas at the Zoo were The Islands, and amazing place to discover the island habitats of Panay, Papua, Bali, Sumatra, Sumba and Sulawesi  and the animals that inhabit them. It feels completely different to the rest of Chester Zoo and I was so happy to spot Sumatran tigers and the Moloch gibbons in the Monsoon Forest (the largest indoor zoo exhibit in UK history).

The best part about the Islands however was the lazy river boat ride that weaved its way around the island habits, all included in your ticket price. It was relaxing and can I imagine in better weather you’d see loads of animals. For us, it was just a great way to get off our by now aching feet and take it the spectacular setting of the island areas.

The animals

Oh boy oh boy. THE ANIMALS. Forget Lions and Tigers and Bears (oh my!) and get ready to see some incredible species from across the world. Whilst I was extremely happy to see some of my favourites – giraffes, different monkey species and elephants – I got to learn so much about other animals that I’d never really seem before.

There are over 500 species of rare, exotic and endangered wildlife, with over 15,000 animals living at the zoo. Highlights for me were visiting the okapi (part of the giraffe family) a highly endangered and only relatively recently discovered animal and the hilarious bush dogs , many of whom were born during the last lot of filming of The Secret Life of The Zoo.

Conservation

One of the main reasons I wanted to visit Chester Zoo was because of their commitment to conservation and science . Chester Zoo work across 30 countries and leads the charity Act for Wildlife , working all over the world with animals that desperately need help. Asian elephants, black rhinos and Andean bears are all targeted by their programmes, as well as the most endangered animal in the UK, the Scottish wildcat.

What I loved most of all was at every enclosure there was detailed information about the work Chester Zoo was doing across the world to protect and develop each species. It left me in no doubt of what was happening to much loved animals across the world and as a visitor I left much more informed. They are even using the zoo to research things that could have a major impact across the world – like the best way to keep reptiles warm and breeding factors in black rhinos.

Granted, I was ready to be convinced Chester Zoo was a responsible, safe zoo for its inhabitants, but I wasn’t prepared for how completely excellent it was. Nothing felt like I was being ripped off, that things were being done just to please humans, not the animals. Enclosures were so big that at times you couldn’t spot who was living inside and keepers were on hand at every corner to answer questions and share their passion for the work they do at the zoo.

Their commitment to breeding programmes was exemplary, especially to those becoming seriously endangered in the wild. But most of all their conservation work across the world had me convinced. Whatever you may personally feel about animals in captivity, it’s clear that Chester Zoo invest many millions of tourists money to keep animals safe and thriving everywhere. I’d always felt that I’d be anti-Zoo forever, but Chester genuinely care. It’s certainly a place I don’t have concerns giving my money – and if you felt like me I’d urge you to give it a try too.

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Your big guide to Chester Zoo – cheapest tickets, opening times and all you need to know

It's the perfect day out for families, but there are some tips that can make your trip a bit easier.

• 17:30, 13 FEB 2020
• Updated 16:03, 14 FEB 2020

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A trip to the zoo is usually a fail safe option for children of all ages, especially in the school holidays .

Home to more than 27,000 animals, Chester Zoo pulls in more visitors than most - 1.9m a year in fact, making it the UK’s most visited tourist attraction outside London.

There is a lot to see and few people make it round the whole place in one day.

That's why it's good to find out more about the place before you visit, or see what you missed out on last time you were there.

We've been taking a look at what the place offers to pull together our big guide to Chester Zoo.

What's there?

With more than 125 acres of animals and habitats to explore, making your way round the place is no easy feat.

To get a rough idea of what to find where, you can take a look at the zoo's interactive map here , and even download it before you go if you like.

The full list of animals includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Even the zoo keepers themselves admit people rarely get to see everything at the attraction in one day

Kirsten Wicks, who appeared in Channel 4's documentary The Secret Life of The Zoo, said she advises people to prioritise.

She said: "I always tell people to pick what they really want to see and go and see those animals first. There's no way you can see everything so visit the ones you're most bothered about and then just see what time you have left."

Even on a normal day there is plenty to see, and near the main entrance, close to guest services, you'll find a list detailing the times for animal talks and feeds on that particular day. You can also check online to see what talks are happening on the day you plan to visit.

Getting around?

If you've got little ones in tow they'll probably struggle getting round the place.

You'll probably have your own pushchair, but if not, or if you're hoping to persuade your little one with a new means of transport - to save your shoulders if nothing else - then you can hire a fun buggy there.

These are £8 for a single or £12 for a double and a £10 refundable deposit is needed.

Zoomobility is open every day during normal opening hours, but it’s worth pre-booking if you can, to make sure you get your buggy. Call 01244 389 482 to reserve one. Buggies are available for children age one to six.

Much of the zoo is disabled friendly, with accessible paths, toilet facilities - including a Changing Places facility inside the Jubilee toilets - and free wheelchair and electric scooter hire, subject to availability and with a £25 refundable deposit.

There's also free entry for carers, with one carer admitted with relevant proof of entitlement.

How much are tickets?

Ah, the big question. Well, first of all, it's worth pointing out that Chester Zoo is a registered conservation and education charity. For that reason you don't come across many ticket offers at all.

The cheapest way to get them is to buy them online . Book more than seven days in advance and you’ll save up to £4 per ticket compared with the price you’ll pay at the zoo on the day.

Even on the day of your visit it's still worth paying online, as if you book before 9.30am, you’ll save £2 on each ticket compared with the price you’ll pay at the gates.

Cheapest off peak tickets cost £20 for adults and £15.45 for children, aged three to 17. During the school holidays they rise to £24 for adults and £19 for children.

Children two and under go free and if there's a group of you going then groups of 15 or more get a discount of up to 30 per cent.

Another option for cheaper tickets is to invest in a zoo membership, which gives you unlimited access for 12 months and fast track entry, among other perks.

For families of two adults and two children it costs £245, or £135 for one adult and one child.

Swipe through the gallery below to see more images from Chester Zoo

Opening times

The zoo opens at 10am all year round, with the Diamond Jubilee Quarter at the main entrance opening at 9.30am, so you can grab a drink in the Bembe Coffee Shop if you get there early.

Closing times depend on dates. Between now and April 28 it closes at 5.30pm. During the warmer school holidays in May half term and the big summer break, it stays open until 6pm.

Food and drink

If you're taking your own packed lunches there are lots of places to have a picnic, with tables scattered throughout the zoo and designated picnic areas, often close to play areas.

There's an indoor one too, the Jaguar Picnic Lodge, next to the Arara Kiosk near the Spirit of the Jaguar building and Tropical Realm. It's also close to the Jaguar Coffee Shop for that all-important caffeine hit.

If you want to grab a snack or a brew on your way round, you're never too far from a Safari Snacks hut, selling drinks, ice creams, hot dogs, waffles and more.

If you are going to be buying drinks throughout the day then it's probably more economical to pay £10.99 for one of the souvenir cups which come with unlimited refills.

There are loads of dining options inside the zoo, one of the biggest being June's Food Court, which has the Fun Ark playground just outside.

It's got everything from freshly baked pizza and fish and chips - around £7 for adults and £5.50 for children - to a healthy deli and an ice cream parlour.

And there are stations where you can heat up your own baby food or bottles.

But if you fancy having a real treat on your day out, then it's worth checking out The Oakfield, a contemporary British pub sitting in the heart of the zoo itself.

The grade II listed building was once home to the zoo’s founder George Mottershead and his family and underwent a £3m restoration and renovation last summer.

One addition was the new garden room, which thanks to its huge windows, means it's light and airy and gives great views across the gardens - a bonus if the kids want to let off some steam for a while as you can keep a close eye on them as they play.

When the weather's warm enough there are also tables for customers to sit outside.

The menu features everything from pub classics such as toad in the hole, £11.50, and a steak burger and chips, £13.50, to a full Sunday roast, with duck fat roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy, £14.95.

The children's menu costs £6.50 with typical kid's favourites sausage and mash, or fish, burger or ham and egg with chips. They can also get a Sunday roast for the same price.

They also get a colouring sheet to keep them busy while they wait.

Yes we know you go to the zoo to see the animals, but most kids want to have a play while they're there.

And there are loads of opportunities for them to do just that. There are a total of four play areas based in different areas of the zoo – the newest in the Islands habitat.

One of the most popular is the Madagascar Play! space, which features scramble nets, a sandy beach, a dry river bed and Madagascan grasses.

As well as the play areas, the zoo has its own Treetop Challenge course for little ones to tackle.

Recommended for kids aged two to seven, they're secured in a harness and can navigate their way swinging, leaping, climbing and balancing their way around the course.

It's only a metre above the ground so you won't be fretting too much over your little ones and and it's the first course in the UK to have two mini zip lines.

Children must be under 122cm to take part, it costs £5 each and takes around 30 minutes to complete the course.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/adult on the ground as you'll explore the different elements of the course together.

You will be allocated a time slot at the Treetop Challenge kiosk – so if you need a specific time it's recommended you go there as soon as you arrive to book the one you want. You can also book online when you order your main tickets.

Things to do with the kids

Anything else?

There's enough to fill your time on a typical day at the zoo, but it also hosts many events too, especially during the school holidays.

The place is constantly updating too. Its newest addition is a new habitat for its pride of Asiatic lions .

An impressive 4,790 square metre enclosure has opened for the public to get up close and personal with lionesses Kumari and Kiburi, along with adult male Lblis - all aged 12.

It's been specially designed to help conserve the world's rarest species of the animal, with only an estimated 350 of the animals left in India, after they originally roamed across Northern Africa, Greece, Turkey and Asia.

Earlier this year the zoo also unveiled its new Madagascar habitat , featuring the attraction's first ever 'walk-though' primate experience.

Visitors now have the chance to see lemurs jumping across the path in front of them or swinging in the trees above them as they make their way through part of the new zone.

As well as being home to four rare species of lemur, it also houses Madagascar’s top predator and largest carnivore, the fossa.

If you want a permanent memento of your little one's first trip to the zoo, then you can get their hand print made into a 'handimal'.

There's a stand close to The Oakfield pub where staff will help your child choose what they want their creation to be.

Are toilets worthy of a mention on their own? Where kids are concerned, toilets are always worthy of a mention.

And Chester Zoo's are more worthy than most. Indeed they've been praised for having baby change facilities at the men's as well as the women's toilets.

There are seven baby change areas in all, so you're never too far away and there's one near the entrance to stop off at on your way in or out of the zoo before you head home.

There are feeding rooms too, if you'd rather feed your baby in private.

Parking at the zoo is free and close to the entrance, although you're obviously further away the later you arrive.

If you're close enough to cycle there, you can get 15% off your ticket price by downloading a voucher here and showing it when you arrive.

The main entrance is just off the A41 / Moston Road. It's well signposted when you approach Chester, just look out for the brown signs.

The address is Chester, CH2 1LH, but you're advised to ignore your sat nav once you get to the A41. Do not turn down Flag Lane North as it is a dead end.

Once you get onto the A41, from whichever direction, simply stay on that road until you reach a roundabout with a large wooden ark on it. From there follow the signs into the zoo.

To find out more visit the zoo's website here .

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Admission prices & discounts for tickets to Chester Zoo in Upton

The following overview lists the admission prices and various discounts and discount codes for a visit to Chester Zoo in Upton . All prices are displayed per age group or reduced rate group. You can also directly book your discounted online ticket for the Chester Zoo here, if available, or make a reservation to reserve a timeslot if applicable.

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Wondering what a ticket to Chester Zoo costs? These are the prices:

Ticket prices & discounts

These are the prices for admission to the Chester Zoo. Note that the zoo works with donations which are oughly 10% of the ticket price. Chester Zoo is not for profit and everything you donate goes directly towards the conservation work at the zoo and around the world.

Tours & tickets near Chester Zoo

Here are some tours and tickets near Chester Zoo, including discount cards & passes, skip the line tickets and tickets to events & activities in Upton.

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More about Chester Zoo

• Become a Member

Become a member before 30 September and GET ONE MONTH FREE!*

As a member, you make conservation happen here and around the world., don’t miss a thing  from just £73.80 you can spot our snow leopards in their amazing new himalayan habitat, enjoy unlimited access to the zoo, discover the exclusive members digital magazine and so much more. .

*Only applies to new members that sign up by direct debit.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

UNLIMITED  FREE ENTRY to Chester Zoo for a year 10% OFF in our shops and cafes* One FREE ENTRY to other zoos including Colchester, Edinburgh, Marwell, Newquay, Bristol Zoo Project, Paignton and Twycross Our Zoo , delivering you exclusive behind the scenes content directly to your inbox! Members Days ! Bring friends and family to the zoo at a discounted price

And SO much more !

* Restrictions apply

Choose a membership

Join today and save 10% when you sign up to renew by Direct Debit. Your membership will automatically renew onto 12 monthly payments in your second year. 

Enjoy family days out at the zoo with our FAMILY SAVER! Junior Explorer’s receive a DISCOUNT when purchased with any adult membership. From £56 or £50.40 by Direct Debit.

Membership starts from £73.80 when you sign up to renew by Direct Debit.

Membership makes a ROARSOME GIFT too!

We’re SO much more than a zoo. Thanks to your support , whether that be a membership for yourself or a gift for a friend, we’re able to work ALL over the world to PROTECT endangered wildlife .

Treat the animal lover in your life with amazing days out that make an huge difference around the world – don’t let them miss a thing at Chester Zoo!

Our dedicated Memberships Team is on hand to help you save money on your Chester Zoo membership and answer any questions you have. Simply pop into Membership HQ  or call us on  01244 650208  and you’ll be able to:

Save 10% by paying for your membership with direct debit you can choose to pay in full or split the cost over the first four months., redeem your day ticket price off your membership if you’ve visited the zoo in the last month we’ll take the price of your ticket off membership cost., renew your existing membership carry on your membership for another year and make sure you don’t miss out on all the amazing benefits., what benefits do i get for being a member of chester zoo.

As a loyal member of our zoo, you will get FREE ENTRY for a year , as well as loads of other benefits. 10% off in our shops and cafes ( restrictions apply ), discounts off our experiences, one free entry to other zoos ( Colchester, Edinburgh, Marwell, Newquay, Bristol Zoo Project, Paignton and Twycross ), exclusive content in Our Zoo , a car sticker and Members Days!

How does my membership support the zoo?

Members get much more than great experiences; your support helps us to achieve our mission of preventing extinction . You’ll be making a valuable contribution to the important work we do at the heart of the zoo and around the globe. We’re only able to continue this work through the generosity of members and donors.

When will I receive my membership pack?

You should allow up to two weeks for your membership welcome pack to arrive in the post but you can start using your membership from the moment you purchase it by providing your details at Membership HQ at the main entrance of the zoo.

I’ve already paid for day entry, can I still become a member?

Good news! Admission tickets can be upgraded to an annual membership. Upgrade within 30 days of your visit day and redeem your day ticket price off your membership!

If you’ve paid for your admission ticket online , upgrade by calling the membership team on 01244 650208 or by popping into Membership HQ at the main entrance of the Zoo. We’ll need your ticket booking reference.

If you purchased your ticket in person at our Admission Till , you’ll need to upgrade in person as we need to obtain the physical receipt from you. Please note, admission tickets are deducted on a like for like basis.

Do I still have to book in advance to visit the zoo when I’m a member?

No, that is just one of the amazing benefits about being a member of Chester Zoo! All our members are free to visit the zoo, when they like, for as long as they like, within our zoo opening times .

Do members get free entry to events like Lanterns?

Members and non-members pay the same price for The Lanterns and other special events outside of our usual opening hours. Events like these help us to raise valuable funds to enable Chester Zoo to continue to invest in our mission and the zoo. We really appreciate your support.

How do I find my member number?

Your membership number can be found listed on your welcome letter and underneath the barcode on your membership card.

How do I cancel my membership renewal?

You can cancel a membership renewal by emailing [email protected] . Please include your full name and membership number as well as any additional member details.

What do I do if I’ve lost my membership card?

Don’t worry, just pop and see the membership team at the main entrance on the day of your visit who will print a new card for you for £1.50

My child has turned one since I bought my membership, what do I need to do?

From the age of one, children will need a membership of their own or an admission ticket to get into the zoo.

W e will automatically upgrade them to Zoo Tots when they turn 1 and Junior Explorers when they turn 3 at time of renewal. They can be added to your membership on a pro rata basis for your remaining months (If you pay by monthly direct debit, we may be able to add this amount to your remaining instalments). Simply visit Membership HQ on your next visit or call us on 01244 650208.