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 110-acre Zoo opens at 10am every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, when the Zoo is closed. Last entry and closing times vary with the seasons. See the homepage for these times. Car parking is free.

The Zoo wide estate now consists of approximately 500 acres of which 110 acres is the zoological gardens and the wider estate making up the remaining 390 acres. The Zoo is internationally known for its innovative enclosure designs, which in the early years were achieved in an austere economic climate,for its many breeding successes and its involvement in co-operative breeding programmes. In 2008 visitor attendance was approximately 1.3 million (not including the under 3s) and the Zoo continues to play important roles in developing conservation outreach, research, education and marketing strategies.