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Opening Times
The Zoo is open all year from 10.00 except Christmas Day & Boxing Day. Last admissions vary according to the season – please check the website for up to date information.
Chester Zoological Gardens Information
Chester Zoo offers a fun and stimulating day out for everyone, no matter what age or ability.
Plants make the Zoo a beautiful place and you will find them used in many different ways. Some are grown for their colourful flowers, others for their attractive bark, fruits, or leaf shapes. Plants also serve other functions, acting as windbreaks, disguising buildings or structures, or by providing welcome shade in the heat of summer.
Plant conservation in the wild is of vital importance. If we do not conserve the forests, grasslands, wetlands and deserts then the number of species of plants and animals that face extinction will rapidly increase. The number of rare and endangered plant species, both native and foreign, grown in the Zoo will be gradually increased in an effort to conserve these plants in cultivation. The Zoo will continue to assist in overseas projects to save habitats and protect both flora and fauna.
The Gardens continue to plant colourful and attractive displays for the visitor to enjoy. There are a number of new horticultural developments that we are sure you will enjoy visiting.
As well as the outdoor exhibits there are wonderful indoor plants to admire. Immerse yourself in the Tropical Realm, surrounded by stately palms and Ficus trees, while enjoying the colourful free flying birds. Or take a walk in the Papua New Guinea rainforest, or along a Caribbean beach, in the Islands in Danger exhibit.
The Spirit of the Jaguar House, opened in 2001, shows plants that reflect Savannah grassland habitats as well as Tropical Rainforest. We are sure that you will take many happy memories of the animals home with you, but we are sure you will leave with equally fond memories of the plants and perhaps a deeper appreciation of how totally dependant we are on them in our everyday lives.
Admission
With seasonal prices, please see the website for the latest admission prices at
www.chesterzoo.org Visit as a group of 15 or more and save up to a 1/3 off standard admission prices!
How to get there
By road:
Follow the brown Chester Zoo signs from M56, Junction 14 or Junction 12 on the M53. The Zoo is also clearly signed on the A41 Chester Road. On your map referencing system enter postcode CH2 1EU.
By rail and bus:
From Chester Railway Station and Chester Bus Exchange
Monday - Saturday First Bus number 1 every 20 minutes. Sundays every hour.
This service also picks up from Merseyrail Bache Station en route. All Merseyrail manned stations sell combined rail/bus/zoo tickets.
From Ellesmere Port and Cheshire Oaks, Liverpool and Birkenhead
Monday - Saturday First Bus number 1 every 20 minutes. Sundays every hour.
Car parks: Large car park on site including a coach park, all free of charge.
Facilities
The general facilities at Chester Zoological Gardens include:
• World-renowned animal exhibits and gardens
• Monorail
• Waterbus
• Gift shops
• Fun Ark adventure play area
• Ark Restaurant
• Café Tsavo
• Oakfield House tea rooms/restaurant
• Acorn licensed bar
• Ice cream/drinks kiosks around site
• Toilets
• Picnic areas
Contact
Chester Zoo
Upton-by-Chester
Chester
CH2 1LH
Tel: 01244 380 280
Fax: 01244 371 273
Access
• Wheelchair and pushchair accessible.
• Toilet facilities have disabled access.
• Parent and Baby changing rooms.
• Main toilet block (Jubilee Square), has a portable hoist available for people who have difficulty getting in and out of their wheelchair.
• Main First Aid centre (located near to the Ark Shop) has changing facilities for adults, and a rest room that can be used for self-medicinal injections.
• Any visitor with disabilities will receive free admission for their carer on a 1:1 basis.
• Limited range of wheelchairs and electric scooters available to guests free of charge. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment.
• “Loop system” installed at some of main customer contact areas, including gates. Simply look out for the blue and white logo.
• Guide dogs and sensing/hearing dogs are very welcome at the Zoo. However, the zoo asks that they avoid our Monkey, Chimpanzee and Elephant enclosures.
• Designated parking.
Exploring further a field:
Chester Zoological Gardens are close to historic Chester City Centre, the Blue Planet Aquarium, Ellesmere Port Boat Museum and the Cheshire Oaks retail outlet.
