Chester Zoo

Real animals are more exciting!

Chester Zoo is home to thousands of rare and exotic species from all over the world, ranging from our magnificent herd of elephants, two types of rhino 'crashes' , lions and tigers, a mixture of monkeys both large and small including our chimps, and our exciting Realm of the Red Ape exhibit where gibbons and orang-utans live and play side by side in the largest (and possibly the noisiest!) enclosure of its kind in Europe.

Meet the largest otter species in the world or spend time with our smaller animals, the tiny Kirk’s Dik Dik, a deer which is smaller than the average dog, our wild cats the Servals or the endearing Pudu.

Come and visit our latest babies too, see the website for details and photographs.

There are also plenty of places for visitors to take the weight off their feet and enjoy some refreshments, be it in the themed Cafe Tsavo, the Ark Restaurant or in the splendour of the Oakfield mansion for afternoon tea on the terrace.

Little monkeys can burn off energy at the Fun Ark or, for younger children, at the Ape Around and Little Acorn play areas.

The zoo is a registered conservation and education charity which supports over 50 conservation projects around the world.

Open all year, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, from 10am. Visit www.chesterzoo.org

There are three different places to eat; our themed Café Tsavo, main Ark Restaurant or the elegant Oakfield Manor. Snack kiosks throughout the site and plenty of picnic areas.

Did you know you can get married at Chester Zoo? Hold your birthday party here or have a naming ceremony?

Arrive by bike and get 15% off all admission tickets.