Chester Zoo is the most popular zoo in the UK, receiving more visitors a year than any other. Not only is it a favourite here in the UK but it is also one of the most visited zoos in all of Europe. As one of the UK’s very best attractions, Chester Zoo makes for a … Continued
12/07/2022
Accessible Places & Guides
18 Min Read
Written by James Hawkshaw for Handicare
Chester Zoo is the most popular zoo in the UK, receiving more visitors a year than any other. Not only is it a favourite here in the UK but it is also one of the most visited zoos in all of Europe. As one of the UK’s very best attractions, Chester Zoo makes for a perfect day out, and it’s a particularly great choice for grandparents and their grandkids. If you are looking to make plans with your grandchildren, this guide acts as an introduction to Chester Zoo, informing you about all you need to know when bringing the grandchildren for a visit.
Here you will discover useful information such as where to get tickets, opening times, how to travel, what to bring, and what animals can be seen. Stairlift users and those with limited mobility can also learn how accessible Chester Zoo is. So, click the links below to find the information you need and get planning for a wonderful day out at Chester Zoo.
In order to get to Chester Zoo by car, take the A41 and follow signs when you approach Chester. Look out for a roundabout with a large wooden ark on it and then simply follow the signs until you reach the zoo entrance.
Chester Zoo is just over a 10 minute drive from Chester city centre, 38 minutes from Liverpool, and just over an hour from Manchester.
There is also free parking on-site at Chester Zoo for a stress-free experience.
If you fancy travelling by train for your visit to Chester Zoo, it’s easily done. The zoo is just a couple of miles from both Chester railway station and Bache train station. Depending on which station you arrive at, you can get to Chester Zoo by bus in around 15 to 35 minutes, leaving at regular intervals.
Further travel advice and directions can be found here.
Opening times may vary at different points throughout the year due to special events. This isn’t always a bad thing, however, as sometimes the zoo doesn’t close until 6 pm. Just make sure to check the Chester Zoo website for the most up to date information.
There are cheaper prices for children, and free tickets for those two and under, so make sure to choose these options for your grandchildren.
Once you are ready, add the tickets to your basket and continue to the checkout. If you are travelling with young grandchildren, there’s even an option of adding single or double buggy hire to your purchase once you have added your tickets to your basket.
At the time of publishing this article, ticket prices for Chester Zoo are as follows:
If you live close to Chester Zoo and think you might like to take the grandkids numerous times throughout the year, you can also purchase a zoo membership from the Chester Zoo website. There are memberships available for both adults and children.
Like any attraction in the UK, there are certain items you should pack for a visit to Chester Zoo and this section takes you through some essential things to pack.
Chester Zoo is an outdoor attraction and what you wear or pack can be dependent on the weather. Warm layers, waterproof clothing and sun cream are all must-pack items no matter what time of the year you visit. You should also wear clothes that are cosy and ensure the shoes you have on are comfortable to walk in.
If you are visiting in the winter or autumn months then items like a small umbrella are worth packing, while in the summer and spring when the temperatures can get hot you should consider wearing shorts and bringing a cap.
There is free disabled parking on-site at Chester Zoo’s main entrance and there are accessible pathways throughout the zoo to help those with limited mobility enjoy the attraction.
If it is of help to you during your visit, Chester Zoo offers free wheelchair and scooter hire with a £25 refundable deposit and there are accessible toilets available across the zoo – these can be located via the zoo’s map.
The ‘Realm of the Red Ape’ house requires a ramp to access but there is a wheelchair lift available if you prefer. Wheelchair users can enjoy the ‘Lazy River Boat Trip’ too, as it offers wheelchair access. There are some steep gradients to be aware of, however, such as at Elephant Bridge and Wooden Bats Bridge but assistance is available if required.
Those who rely on the aid of assistance dogs can enjoy the park and there is a special map available as a guide for assistance dogs. This is due to the fact that some animals can get spooked by even the most well-behaved dogs.
Chester Zoo also caters to those with hidden disabilities. For example, if your disability causes you to have difficulty queuing, the zoo’s team will be able to help. Chester Zoo can even arrange a tailor-made visit to suit any needs or requirements.
Jen, from the health and lifestyle blog Just Average Jen, has been to Chester Zoo with her son who was in a wheelchair and has shared her very positive view of its accessibility based on their experience: “The accessibility at Chester Zoo had really been thought about and everything at every exhibit was made to be suitable and just as enjoyable for those in wheelchairs. Each enclosure had viewing points at all heights! There were no points, to my recollection, where we needed to do anything differently from able-bodied people and enjoyed the day out greatly. Our favourite area was the penguins!”
Further accessibility information can be found on Chester Zoo’s dedicated accessibility page, and further in-depth third-party accessible information for each part of the zoo, including eating areas, is available on the AccessAble website.
Chester Zoo offers a range of experience days that allow you to get closer to the incredible animals and plants at the zoo.
When you meet the wildlife at Chester Zoo you will gain behind the scenes knowledge as the zoo’s experts will share some fascinating insights into the animals you are meeting, such as their diet and other fascinating facts. Not only will you get great insights into the animals, but you will get an idea of the work that goes into looking after the wildlife and what a day in the life of a zookeeper is like.
There is a new dining experience which you can enjoy at Chester Zoo. This means you can enjoy a delicious breakfast while lions roam in the distance or enjoy some treats as you watch penguins play. There is even an experience offered by Chester Zoo that means you can enjoy a tour of the zoo before it opens in the morning and can help the keepers prepare for the day ahead.
Below are some of the experiences that you can enjoy at Chester Zoo:
The animals at Chester Zoo are the star attraction for any visitor and there are species from every corner of the globe that call the zoo their home.
Chester Zoo is home to around 35,000 animals and this includes hundreds of the world’s rarest species. This number is the highest since the zoo was opened more than 80 years ago!
You can see your favourite animals at the zoo, from big cats like tigers and lions to elephants, rhinos, giraffes and chimpanzees to name just a few.
Sam, from the blog, Travels With My Boys, has had a great time visiting Chester Zoo with her kids and she said the elephants were a major highlight: “My family and I are big animal lovers, so Chester Zoo is a great place to visit. When we visited the zoo, we all loved the elephants, especially the baby ones! We stood for ages watching them run around and play in the water.
“My top tips for visiting would be to grab a map and plan your day. The zoo is huge and little legs may get tired quickly. You may not get around the whole zoo in one visit. There are many great places to eat within the zoo, but if you are on a budget then bring a packed lunch with you. It is always a positive to save money on a day out with the family.”
Laura, the writer behind the Five Little Doves blog, said her family loved seeing the tigers and exploring the islands area of Chester Zoo: “For us, the islands are the main attraction of Chester Zoo and well worth making sure you save time in your day to really explore. There are Sumatran tigers which are just amazing to see and you can even take a Lazy River boat trip which is such a fun addition to the day out! We always spent the majority of our day on the islands!”
Chester Zoo is home to some fascinating wildlife and whilst they are the main attraction for visitors, the zoo boasts lots of different attractions and activities.
The zoo is home to award-winning gardens that not only make it look beautiful but help the local environment too. There are National Plant Collections located at the zoo and these include:
On top of these national plant collections, you can explore the Botanist’s Lab, which is a unique garden that is a perfect spot for a picnic, or you can walk around the enrichment garden that is home to herbs, flowers, leaves and fruit which will be given to a variety of wildlife, like primates, parrots and tortoises. The Madagascar Grasses garden at Chester Zoo is also a great place to wander as you’ll not only learn how the grasses family is probably the most valuable on the planet but will uncover a small beach, water feature and a little hideaway right in the heart of the zoo.
Speaking about the time she has spent at Chester Zoo, Sarah, from the blog The Urban Wanderer, has highlighted what else the zoo has to offer, particularly its plant life: “Although I very much enjoy looking at, and learning about, the animals, there is something which catches me in the plant areas. The zoo has designed the outside areas to reflect the parts of the world they represent. This, I think, both softens the walks between areas and also gives you a greater feel for the life in those habitats. Long billowing grasses and short desert-style plants help you imagine how the animals would move around there.”
Visitors can also explore the tropical environments of six South East Asian islands and their habitats. You can explore Panay, Papua, Bali, Sumatra, Sumba and Sulawesi as part of Chester Zoo’s island experience and you can even enjoy a Lazy River Boat Trip and walk through a bamboo forest.
The zoo even has its very own nature park that was established in 2013. This stretch of land is nestled just a short distance from the zoo and is home to UK wildlife such as hedgehogs, kingfishers and even the occasional otter. You’ll also see wildflowers blooming here and can enjoy some lovely walks.
Visitors shouldn’t be put off visiting the zoo in the rain as there are plenty of indoor attractions that you can visit. In fact, Karen Beddow, the blogger behind Mini Travellers, speaks about why you should visit the zoo on a rainy day.
“Grandparents should consider heading to Chester Zoo with their grandchildren on a rainy day because It is very very quiet. Throughout the year Chester Zoo has a steady stream of visitors and on some summer days, it can be incredibly busy. However, Chester Zoo in the rain in autumn or winter is lovely and quiet, and you can quite simply have entire areas to yourself. Kids usually don’t mind the rain it is only us that does and if they can run around in it in wide-open spaces and play happily even better. Chester Zoo on a rainy day also has plenty of puddles to jump in.”
Here are just some great indoor attractions you can visit:
If you are visiting with your grandchildren then you won’t struggle keeping them occupied as during your visit you can take them to one of the play areas in the zoo.
There is the Manado Play area in the South Asia area of the zoo, a Treetop Challenge area which has the biggest course of its type in the UK and boasts two mini zip lines, and Wildlife Wood which is a play area inspired by the wildlife in the UK and features slides, climbing frames and swings.
Samantha Rickelton, the founder of the North East Family Fun blog, has visited Chester Zoo and she said her children loved some of the play areas: “If the kids need to burn off some energy, there’s a fab outdoor play area which is suitable for all ages next to a cafe. There are lots of picnic tables at Chester Zoo and food outlets serving snacks and hot drinks. My three loved pretending to be Lemurs swinging from the ropes.”
You can enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast bagel or baguette until 11am every day and if you are visiting early and need a wake-up then you can try the barista-crafted coffee served at Bembe Kitchen.
You can also enjoy freshly made cakes, light snacks and a range of fresh, homemade meals such as slow-roasted lamb shoulder, cottage pie and three bean vegetable chilli. The menu changes daily so there will always be something different you can try. The Bembe Kitchen is located at the zoo’s entrance gates.
The Oakfield is located in the heart of Chester Zoo and it is a unique contemporary British pub. You can try freshly prepared, locally sourced food and hand-picked beers, wines and spirits. If the weather is nice, you can explore the pubs’ award-winning gardens.
The Manado Street Kitchen is located near the Islands in Chester Zoo and here you can enjoy tasty street food and other authentic South-East Asian inspired dishes.
June’s Food Court is named after June Mottershead, the daughter of Chester Zoo’s founder. The food court serves up classic dishes such as sustainably-sourced fish & chips and freshly made burgers!
The burger selection ranges from vegan options to gourmet options. There is also a range of pizzas and sweet treats such as ice creams available.
The Jaguar Coffee House is open from 10am-4pm and if you’re looking to take a break during your visit, it is the perfect spot to grab a drink or to grab something to eat.
You can enjoy Fairtrade coffee made from 100% organic Puro beans, fresh hot and cold snacks or something a bit more substantial. There are freshly made cakes and sandwiches also available from the coffee house.
If you don’t want to stop for a full meal, then there are food and drink outposts dotted around Chester Zoo that you can head to for snacks and other light bites.
Hopefully, this grandparents’ guide to Chester Zoo has been informative and helpful for planning your future trip with the grandchildren to this wonderful attraction.
Whether you are looking for attraction recommendations or in-depth guides to everyday activities like gardening, make sure to visit our news page. For those seeking stairlift advice, please do get in touch for expert assistance.
This article is brought to you by Savaria Lifts (UK) Ltd (trading as Handicare), in partnership with Age UK Trading, offering a wide range of home mobility products, including stairlifts, homelifts, and bathing solutions. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only and are up to date as of the time of publishing.
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