Chester Zoo
CHESTER ZOO is the UK’s number one zoo, with over 7000 animals and 400 different species, including some of the most endangered species on the planet. With more than one million visitors every year, the Zoo is an all-year round favourite attraction for kids of all ages!
The Zoo was founded by George Mottershead. As a child, he visited a now closed zoo in Manchester, and is reported to have been so upset seeing large animals in small cages, that he said to his father 'when I have a zoo, it won't have any bars'. His dream was finally realised in 1930, when he brought his family to live in the Oakfield Manor and formed the original collection of animals from an earlier zoo at Shavington, near Crewe.
The Zoo began its life with the purchase of the first parcel of land of 11 acres together with Oakfield Manor Building, The Stable Block and Lodge in circa 1935. The Zoo was formerly enclosed in accordance with the Zoo Licensing Act with a perimeter fence in 1986. It is still unclear as to whether this was done to keep the animals in or unwanted guests out!
Within the Zoo there are some 170 buildings of varying construction used for a variety of purposes. There is the existing Oakfield Manor and Stable Block that have Grade 11* Listed status. Other buildings include cafeterias, toilet blocks, animal exhibits, administration, maintenance, shops all of varying size, style and construction built within the 75 year life of the Zoo.
On the wider estate, the 400 acres is primarily greenbelt and the land is leased or tenanted for agricultural purposes. There is one parcel of land within the Zoo ownership which is an oil storage facility owned by the Ministry of Defence.
Chester Zoo’s gardens are deservedly famous with different garden areas representing different regions and type of plants, many of which are rare or extinct. They provide a glorious backdrop to the animals and reflect the natural habitats of some of our most exotic species.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
ADMISSION PRICES - SEE BELOW FOR SEASON DATES
| Standard Prices |
Low season |
Mid season |
High season |
| Adult |
£13.60 |
£15.95 |
£16.90 |
| Children (3-15 years inclusive) |
£9.90 |
£10.95 |
£12.45 |
| Infant (2 and under) |
FREE |
FREE |
FREE |
| Concessions** |
£12.05 |
£14.15 |
£15.25 |
| Family (two adults + two children) |
£41.50 |
£49.50 |
£55.00 |
Chester Zoo relies upon the generosity of its visitors to support conservation work. The prices above include a 10% donation to our conservation work.
| Prices excluding donation to conservation work |
Low season |
Mid season |
High season |
| Adult |
£12.35 |
£14.50 |
£15.35 |
| Children (3-15 years inclusive) |
£9.00 |
£9.95 |
£11.30 |
| Infant (2 and under) |
FREE |
FREE |
FREE |
| Concessions** |
£10.95 |
£12.85 |
£13.85 |
| Family (two adults + two children) |
£37.70 |
£45.00 |
£50.00 |
Chester Main Line Station (Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains Wales, Northern Rail, Merseyrail)
Bache Station (Merseyrail Chester to Liverpool line). Train every 30 minutes from Liverpool, Birkenhead and Chester then First service 1 from outside Station (every 20 minutes Monday - Saturday, every 30 minutes Bank Holidays and every hour on Sundays).
BY ROAD
Our motorway and road network means that Chester Zoo is easy to reach from all over the UK, and you can be here in under two hours from as far as Birmingham or Leeds.
BY BUS
Chester Town Hall Bus Exchange: First Group Service 1, every 20 minutes Monday - Saturday during the daytime. On a Sunday the service runs hourly and on Bank Holidays every 30 minutes.
Liverpool via Birkenhead, Ellesmere Port and Cheshire Oaks: First Group Service 1, every 20 minutes Monday - Saturday during the daytime. On a Sunday the service runs hourly and on Bank Holidays every 30 minutes.
Ellesmere Port and Chester: GHA Coaches, Service 4 operates every 30 minutes Monday - Saturday to the Pedestrian Entrance of the Zoo.