Hocks Summer Outings- Chester Zoo!

Hello everyone and welcome to our new series Hocks Summer Outings! This new series follows on from our super popular Hocks Summer Holidays series. As it is now nearly the summer holidays and you have all probably got your summer holidays booked (if you're going on one!), we thought we would tell you all about where you could go for a nice family day out during the summer holidays!

The first post in our series is going to be Chester Zoo! A trip to the zoo is always a great option for a family day out as it is fun for every age! Of course, there are lots of zoos all around the country and we couldn't possibly tell you about every single one so we have decided to tell you all about the zoo we visit ourselves..

Chester Zoo!

Chester Zoo is located in Upton near Chester in Cheshire, England. The zoo was opened in 1931 by George Mottershead and his family. Chester Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the United Kingdom, the zoo being 125 acres and a total land holding on 400 acres!

Chester Zoo is open every day in the summer holidays from 10am until 6pm. The Diamond Jubilee Quarter at the main entrance does open and 9.30am so you can have refreshments in the café or a look around the gift shop before you can enter the zoo at 10am. Last entry to Chester Zoo is 1 hour before closing time (we don't recommend arriving this late, we would suggest going in the morning as you can really easily spend a full day there!).

How To Get Around The Zoo

You don't have to spend the whole day on foot in Chester Zoo! You can also use their monorail and their Lazy River Boat Trips, these give you the chance to see the zoo and animals at a different angle whilst the commentary will teach you lots you didn't already know about the zoo. Wheelchairs are available free of charge and buggies available to hire at the very reasonable price of £6. Chester Zoo have also cleverly put together a wet weather trail so that if it is raining, you can still see the animals without getting wet!

Animals at Chester Zoo!

Here is just a handful of the animals you will see during your trip to Chester Zoo!..

Mammals

Big Cats

Dogs

Elephants

Meerkats

Monkeys and Apes

Red Panda

Giraffes (including this brand new arrival!)

Plus lots more..

Birds

Parrots

Penguins

Hornbills

Plus lots more..

Reptiles

Snakes and Lizards

Turtles and Tortoises

Amphibians

Frogs and Toads

Fish

Marine Fish

Freshwater Fish

Invertebrates

Butterflies and Moths

Leaf and Stick Insects

Spiders

During your day during Chester Zoo you have the option to attend lots of free talks on the animals where you can find out all you need to know about all the different species!

Attractions and Exhibits at Chester Zoo!

As well as all the different animals there are also lots of other attractions to enjoy such as..

Islands at Chester Zoo

Open from 13th July, Chester Zoo are recreating the tropical environments of six East Asian Islands which you can explore on a unique wildlife expedition.

 

Bat Cave

      

Arts and Crafts

Face Painting

Play Areas

Gardens

Gift Shops

Eating and Drinking at Chester Zoo!

There are lots of different places to eat and drink at Chester zoo for all budgets. Some of thes eplaces include..

Junes Pavilion

Junes Pavilion is the main family restaurant in Chester Zoo. They offer lots of different choices to suit everyone at reasonable prices. They have everything from fish to a healthy deli counter. They also offer family meal deals such as the family sausage meal deal which includes 2 adults sausage and chips, 2 childrens sausage and chips, a side and 4 drinks for £20.

Kiosks

Chester Zoo have lots of Kiosks dotted around the zoo offering drinks, sweets, crisps, ice creams etc.

Oakfield Pub and BBQ

Chester Zoo have turned part of their beautiful Oakfield Manor House into a pub where you can enjoy a drink and a pub lunch. In the summer you can also enjoy a burger from their outdoor BBQ!

Chester zoo only serve sustainable food.

Take a Picnic.

If you're wanting to keep costs down, as well as their cafes and restaurants Chester Zoo also have plenty of areas where you can sit and enjoy a picnic.

Chester Zoo Prices

During August Chester Zoo prices differ depending what day it is..

Adult Tickets

From £20 to £23.63 if bought online.

From £24 to £28 if bought on the day.

Childrens Tickets

From £16.36 to £20 if bought online.

From £20 to £24 if bought on the day.

Tickets will always be cheaper bought in advance online and families can save up to 16% by booking online as long as you are buying at least 3 adult/child tickets.

These prices on first glance do look expensive however you really can make a full day out of it and keep costs down by taking your own food and drink. We personally do feel like Chester Zoo is worth the price you pay for it.

Chester CH2 1LH
01244 380280

www.chesterzoo.org

We hope to see you again next week for the second in our Hocks Summer Outings series!