Chester Zoo

Book Tickets Online

Chester Zoo is home to over 27,000 endangered and unusual animals based in beautiful, award-winning zoological gardens. With over 500 different animal species in our 128 acres of award-winning gardens, you’re sure to have great day out full of adventure where you’ll feel empowered and inspired to create a better world for wildlife.

Bring your pride to see ours and visit our incredible Asiatic lions in their savannah habitat. Take a trip to Madagascar and wander through our lemur walkthrough habitat, then explore the dense jungles of South-East Asia by boat, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the Monsoon Forest.

Come and see some of our newest and cutest arrivals, with many making their very first appearances, from the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin to the incredibly rare dusky pademelon.

Stop for a bite at one of the many restaurants, cafes and kiosks located throughout the zoo! From classic family friendly dishes to tasty street food.

If you’re looking for something extra special, our contemporary British pub The Oakfield, serves freshly prepared locally sourced food and hand-picked beers, wines and spirits – the perfect accompaniment to your zoo visit.

Join our Zoo Rangers for a jam-packed programme of talks and family-fun events to top up your knowledge of incredible animals across the globe! What’s more, we have plenty of playgrounds and activities to keep the kids (and the kids at heart) happy all day long!

Why not turn your zoo visit into an adventure and book one of our unique Experiences that give you the opportunity to get even closer to our animals and plants with exclusive access and feeding activities? You’ll also gain behind the scenes knowledge from our expert keepers.

Large Attraction of the Year Gold Award Winner and Silver Award Winner for the Resillience and Innovation Award at the 2022 Visit England Awards for Excellence.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Tickets need to be booked in advance. For accurate prices go to https://shop.chesterzoo.org/events/advance-booking
Prices range from:
£25.45 to £29.08 for adults
£19.09 to £22.72 for children
£23.63 to £27.27 for students
Under 2s and Carers go free

Opening Times

May/June/July (1 May 2023 - 23 July 2023)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	10:00	- 17:00

July/August (24 July 2023 - 29 Aug 2023)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	10:00	- 18:00

September (30 Aug 2023 - 26 Sept 2023)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	10:00	- 17:00

October (27 Sept 2023 - 31 Oct 2023)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	10:00	- 16:30

November/December (1 Nov 2023 - 2 Jan 2024)
Day	Times
Monday - Sunday	10:00	- 16:00

* Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day. Open Christmas Eve 10am - 3pm. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
* Please note that closing times may be subject to change depending on the operational needs of the business*

Awards

Regional and Miscellaneous MC Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2011
Regional and Miscellaneous MC Best Tourism Experience of the Year 2014
Regional and Miscellaneous MC Best Event of the Year 2011
Regional and Miscellaneous Marketing Cheshire Award Winner 2015 2015
Regional and Miscellaneous MC Access for All Tourism Award 2016 2016
Regional and Miscellaneous MC Team of the Year 2016 2016
Regional and Miscellaneous MC Large Visitor Attraction of the Year - Highly Commended 2017
Regional Marketing Cheshire Award Winner 2019 2019
Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021
Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards Marketing Cheshire Awards 2021/22 - Winner 2022
Visit England Visit England Award for Excellence 2022 2022

Special Offers

Become a Member

Right now, our planet is under threat but together we can make a difference. When you take out a membership with Chester Zoo, it allows us to continue with our conservation work here at the zoo and all around the globe!

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

You’ll get a whole year of UNLIMITED ENTRY plus lots of other great benefits:

10% discount in our shops & cafes*.
Free entry to other zoo & attractions (terms apply).
Our quarterly members’ magazine, Zmag.
Access to Junior members ‘ events and days out (age restrictions & additional charges).
Chester Zoo car sticker.
Invitations to our special Members’ Talks.
10% discount on our unique Meet, Dine and Tour experiences.
Join us for exclusive Members Days – members can bring up to 4 guests at a discounted rate**!

* Excluded items are specified at retail outlets.
** Pre-booking required, available on specific dates.

FIND OUT MORE

Chester Attraction Deals - redeem this special offer immediately
More offers like this - Chester Attraction Deals
Value Saver Tickets

For groups of 3 or more we have some FANTASTIC VALUE TICKET OFFERS only available online! You could save up to 25% OFF your group ticket prices for a limited time only.

Book and save online now
Chester Attraction Deals - redeem this special offer immediately
More offers like this - Chester Attraction Deals

Become a member today and enjoy a whole year of unforgettable experiences!

As a member, you make conservation happen at Chester Zoo and around the world.

Membership starts from £67.50 when you pay by Direct Debit. Sign up by 31 January and enjoy a year of wonder at last years price.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

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, 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 pay by Direct Debit. Your membership will automatically renew onto a 12 monthly Direct Debit payment 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 £51 or £45.90 by Direct Debit.

Membership Type	Standard	Direct Debit
2 Adults, 2 Children	£294	£264.60
1 Adult, 2 Children	£198	£178.20
2 Adults	£192	£172.80
1 Adult	£96	£86.40
Student	£90	£81.00
Junior Explorer (3-17)	£75	£67.50
Little Explorer (0-2)	FREE	FREE

Membership starts from £67.50 when you pay by Direct Debit. Sign up by 31 January and enjoy a year of wonder at last years price.

JOIN NOW

Chester Attraction Deals - redeem this special offer immediately

More offers like this - Chester Attraction Deals

Kids Tickets Half Price this January!

Hurry tickets are limited.

Book here >
Chester Attraction Deals - redeem this special offer immediately
More offers like this - Chester Attraction Deals

Directions

Road Directions

The motorway and road network means that Chester Zoo is easy to reach from all over the UK, and you can visit in under two hours from as far as Birmingham or Leeds. From the M56, Junction 14, or M53 Junction 12, follow the brown signs to Chester Zoo. The postcode for sat nav is CH2 1EU. The zoo is also clearly signed on the A41 Chester road. The zoo is on the national cycle network and there are cycle racks at both the main and pedestrian entrance.

Public Transport Directions

TRAVELLING BY FOOT -Pedestrians can access the main entrance to the zoo by using the public bridlepath from Flag Lane North. If you’re walking from home, from the bus stop or from Bache train station then there is a short cut to our main entrance using the public bridle path on Flag Lane North.

TRAVELLING BY BIKE- Chester Zoo offers 15% discount for cyclists with a voucher found on their website. Cycle racks are available at the main entrance. The Chester ‘Pink Route’ takes you from the city centre to our main entrance – or you can take the ‘Brown Route’ along the canal.

TRAIN- Only a couple of miles from Chester station, transfer to bus 1 or X1 which drops off at the zoo entrance.

When you buy a combination ticket from your local train station at the same time as your rail ticket and it includes your return bus link from Chester station to the zoo AND your zoo admission in one discounted price.

TRAVELLING BY BUS- If you’re travelling from Chester you can take the Number 1 service from Chester Bus Exchange or the X1 bus links Chester Train Station to Chester Zoo.

If you’re travelling from Liverpool, you can also take the Number 1 service or the X1 service (which has fewer stops and is a quicker!).

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

16318 reviews

Excellent
10882
Very Good
3312
Average
1140
Poor
555
Terrible
429

Recent Reviews:

mikel5706
Trip Type:
Family
A day out with the granddaughter
Saturday, 4th February 2023
A great day out, you could probably get around it all in two days but there is so much to see. Very well presented enclosures and everywhere was clean and tidy. Helpful staff. A bit pricey on the... Read full review
danielbW8621JQ
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Family
A brilliant day out; just one issue
Sunday, 5th February 2023
This is a brilliant day out, easily the best zoo I have been to, the young children loved it. Although it was winter and some of the animals hibernating, or different areas being upgraded, there’s... Read full review
MR19702602
Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Trip Type:
Couples
Best zoo I’ve visited
Tuesday, 7th February 2023
Not been for years and spent 5 hours exploring the weekend. The enclosures are all really well maintained big and cater well for the animals. Nothing looks to be sad & in need of repair. The zoo is... Read full review

Write a review

Facilities

Accessibility

All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors - We have a “loop system” installed at some of our main customer contact areas, including our gates. Simply look out for the blue and white logo
Free entry for carers
Guide Dogs Permitted - In some areas
Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors - On arrival you will find 35 designated parking spaces for orange or blue badge holders.
Ramp / Level Access
Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Catering

On-Site café/restaurant
Picnic Site

COVID-19 Response

Advance booking essential

Parking & Transport

On site parking
Parking (free)

Payment Methods

Blue Badge Guides admitted free - Free entry for registered Blue or Green Badge Guides (on production of a valid badge) whether escorting a group or visiting independently
Delta accepted
Diners Club accepted
Groups Accepted - Group rates available for groups of 15 or more.
JCB accepted
Maestro accepted
MasterCard accepted
Solo accepted
Special group rates - Discounts to groups of 15 people or more.
TIC Staff Admitted Free
Visa accepted