Chester Zoo UK is a great Cheshire day out to be had by all!
About Chester Zoo
There is plenty to entertain for families, group excursions – and is particularly popular with couples in the summer.
Chester Zoo is one of the UK’s largest zoos, covering over 110 acres, with the total area tended covering 400 acres.
It has been in operation since 1931 and was founded by George Mottershead, who after seeing animals kept in ‘prisoner-like’ conditions at Belle-Vue at the start of the 1900’s, made it his ambition to create a zoo where animals could thrive.
Many of the design ideas found in the park have been taken from the modern concepts of Carl Hagenbeck and Heine Hediger.
The Zoo is now run by a registered charity, the North of England Zoological Society. As it receives no assistance from the government, it relies on being one the most visited animal attractions in the UK.
Chester Zoo opens its gates at 10am every day of the year, except for Christmas and Boxing Day.
If you visit out of peak times or you are travelling as a group you will find it significantly cheaper.
Facilities at Chester Zoo
Facilities are available to ensure you can enjoy a relaxed day out. Lockers are available to hire. Chester zoo is fully accessible t o wheelchairs and pushchairs. You can even hire wheelchairs and buggies – you can pre-book these by telephoning 01244 389 482.
Car parking at Chester Zoo is free and there are plenty of baby-changing areas.
When you pay your admission you will receive an easy to follow map, showing all the facilities and location of each of the animal exhibits –so you can plan your day without missing anything!
If you fancy a treat you can zoom around the zoo on the Zoofari Monorail ride. Particularly good if you find yourself at the far end of the zoo and are too tired to walk all the way back to the entrance!
For a different perspective take the short trip on the Waterbus; available from Easter through to the autumn.
What you will see at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo has a huge variety of sights to see; with over 7000 animals of over 400 species. You can choose your route around the massive eleven miles of pathways to visit over 20 exhibits including:
Elephants of the Asian Forest
Realm of the Red Ape
Monkey Islands
Secret World of the Okapi
Sea Lion Beach and Penguins
Lions and tigers
And the Twilight Zone – the biggest free flying bat cave in Europe
– not for the faint-hearted!
Events at Chester Zoo
Special events are held at the Zoo, throughout the year, with celebrations for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, St.David’s Day, as well as special exhibitions.
Chester Zoo is also a haven for the conservationists. They are active members of a number of national and international zoo bodies and projects; and are home to breeding programmes and research to help maintain the diversity and prevent extinction of endangered species.
The zoo has won prestigious awards confirming that its top priority is to ensure fantastically high standards – to ensure the best of health and happiness to the animals and plants.