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Everything you need to know about Chester Zoo

• Animals & Nature in Chester - Visit Chester

Chester Zoo is known as one of the premier zoos in the UK, if not Europe. You can see over 500 species across the 128 acres, and in this guide, we’ll provide key information about the zoo.

Where is Chester Zoo?

Chester Zoo is located in Upton-upon-Chester, a suburb on the outskirts of Chester.

Given its location in the heart of the North West of England, Chester is easily reachable by car from several UK cities. It is only 35 minutes from Chester, and 50 minutes from Manchester. You can get to the zoo in 1 hour 40 minutes from Birmingham, and in two hours from Nottingham.

How to get to Chester Zoo

Located off the A41, the zoo has easy connections to the motorway, being near to the M56. The M56 runs east to west through Cheshire connecting with the M6 motorway (for the Midlands and the South) and the M62 motorway (for Manchester, Liverpool and Yorkshire).

If you are coming by train, both Chester and Bache stations are just two miles from the zoo. From both Chester and Bache train stations, you can take several regular buses to the zoo, including the X1 and the PR3, or take a taxi.

There is nothing to stop you from coming to Chester Zoo by foot or bike – in fact, the zoo will give you 15% off your ticket price if you come by bike to reward this green choice. Walkers from Chester or the bus stop near the zoo can take a shortcut to the main entrance via the public bridle path from Flag Lane North. Directions to the bridle path are available on the Chester Zoo website. Cyclists will find plenty of bike racks awaiting them at the zoo, and can hand in a voucher downloadable from the Chester Zoo website to claim their 15% off discount.

Chester Zoo opening times

Chester Zoo operates all-year round and opens every day from 10 am.

Closing time varies throughout the year – from the earliest of 4pm during winter, to 6 pm during the summer months. Closing times may also vary during holiday periods.

Parking at Chester Zoo

There is ample free parking on-site at Chester Zoo, with 6,000 spaces in total.

Drivers of electric cars can power up using one of 26 7kw charging points at the zoo, with each bay offering a Type 2 universal socket. Electricity is charged per kwh.

There are also premium parking spaces available to book online, charged at £5 per spot.

What is there to see at Chester Zoo?

There are a wide variety of animals to see at Chester Zoo; from amphibians to birds, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles.

Chester Zoo is a conservation-based zoo which strives to protect some of the world’s most rare animals from extinction. Among the rare types of animals born at Chester Zoo are a Malayan tapir (large herbivore similar to a pig), an okapi calf forest giraffe, a Visayan warty piglet, and an eastern bongo (the rarest critically endangered mammal in Africa).

The zoo spreads the animals into different zones over a wide expanse, including areas such as the Tropical Realm and Monsoon Forest. One of the most popular attractions is Islands, which opened in 2015. Visitors can immerse themselves in an environment which imitates the tropical islands of South East Asia, such as Bali, Sumatra, Papua and Panay. These ‘replicas’ of tropical forests contain rare and endangered species such as the Visayan warty piglet.

There are also plants and gardens throughout Chester Zoo. Eye-catching areas of vegetation include the Nepenthes National Plant Collection, which showcases endangered varieties kept in special conditions, and the Botanist’s Lab, a display made entirely from recycled materials.

Booking tickets

You can book tickets for Chester Zoo online via the official website. You can also pay on the day, purchasing your tickets at the ticket windows.

If you have a gift voucher, there is no need to pre-book a ticket. Simply present your gift voucher at the admissions window.

Carers of visitors with disabilities are permitted free entry. Carer tickets can be collected from the ticket windows on arrival, and require a support document such as a disability allowance or PIP letter.

Chester Zoo cost

Tickets to Chester Zoo vary in price according to the time of year you visit. Check ticket prices online using the calendar on the official Chester Zoo website – select the date on which you want to visit to bring up prices.

Adults can expect to pay around £30 for a day ticket, with children over the age of three charged around £20 to £25. Student tickets are priced a little cheaper than adult tickets. Children under the age of two but over 12 months pay less than £5, with babies under 12 months permitted free entry.

You may also see Chester Zoo day tickets for sale from affiliate sites and agents. These tickets may be priced higher than tickets from the official Chester Zoo site due to the addition of a commission fee.

Members of Chester Zoo get unlimited free entry for the whole year. Membership prices at the time of writing are £110 per annum for adults and £82 for 2-17 year-olds. There are discounts on offer for large groups and schools.

Food at Chester Zoo

If you are spending the day at Chester Zoo there will be plenty of opportunities for you and your group to eat. The zoo has located ‘Outposts’ – its name for snack huts – throughout the site. They serve ice cream and drinks, as well as a variety of hot dogs including original, chilli cheese and vegetarian.

For something more substantial, there is The Oakfield, a gastropub with indoor and outdoor seating. Serving everything from fish and chips to pork chop, Caesar salad and afternoon tea, the pub caters to a variety of palates.

There are other restaurants on site. Manado Street Kitchen serves fast food with an Asian twist, with dishes such as Indonesian Fried Chicken Sandwich on the menu. Then there is June’s Food Court, offering kid-friendly treats such as burger and chips, sausage and chips, and pizza.

Accessibility at Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is fully accessible for visitors with wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There is free disabled parking by the main entrance, and accessible pathways throughout the site. Wheelchairs and electric scooters can be hired for free, on condition of a £25 refundable deposit. This requires pre-booking and hire is not available on the day.

Toilet facilities are accessible across the site, and in the Jubilee toilets, there is a changing space with hosts, an adjustable bed, and a sink. A wheelchair lift or assistance may be needed to see attractions such as the Realm of the Red Ape or the Elephant and Wooden Bats bridges which have a sharp gradient.

Assistance dogs are welcome on site, provided they are registered with an accredited training provider. The zoo advises that registered assistance dogs should be kept up to date with their inoculations and be kept under control on a lead at all times.

Chester Zoo conservation initiative

In its role as a conservation and education charity, Chester Zoo supports over 80 projects that are helping to fight against the extinction of animals in various countries worldwide. The zoo intensively manages animal populations to help preserve their future.

The history of Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo was opened in 1931 by George Mottershead, a florist and pet seller, and his family.

The zoo developed rapidly after the Second World War, and in 1950 featured a polar bear exhibit that was constructed entirely from war-time materials.

Mottershead stood by a belief that cages for animals should be avoided, instead preferring moats and ditches where possible.

After the turn of the millennium, ambitious plans for the construction of a marina and hotel linked to the zoo were shelved due to lack of funding. In 2010, the zoo broke its record for visitor numbers when 1.4 million people passed through its gates.

We’ll wrap up this guide by answering some common questions about Chester Zoo:

How long does it take to walk around Chester Zoo?

How long it takes to walk around Chester Zoo will depend on the pace of your group, and how long you stay in each area. It is possible to go around the entire site in just over two hours at a brisk pace. However, many groups will opt to spend a whole day at the zoo; from opening time at 10am through until closing time.

Attractions along the way – such as the boat ride and monorail – can take up time. You may also want to factor in the time it takes to take a break for snacks or a meal.

Can you take your own food into Chester Zoo?

The zoo invites visitors to bring their own food, including picnics. There are outdoor and indoor picnic areas provided on site, and the zoo urges visitors to use these zones for picnics, taking their waste home with them if possible.

Note that visitors are not allowed to bring alcohol, barbecue equipment and glass containers into the zoo.

What ages is Chester Zoo suitable for?

Chester Zoo is suitable for people of all ages. It is a popular attraction with children, who must be accompanied by an adult if under the age of 16. Chester Zoo is also suitable for senior citizens and offers accessibility for people with mobility problems.

Some attractions do have age restrictions. For example, Early Access Bird Photography Experience is only available to children aged 12 and over.

What happens when it rains at Chester Zoo?

Chester Zoo has several indoor attractions to see during inclement weather. These include exhibits such as the Realm of the Red Ape, Spirit of The Jaguar, Monsoon Forest and the Spirit of the Jaguar.

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A visit to Chester Zoo

Last updated on April 30th, 2024 at 11:00 am

It seemed like a good idea.  Extreme youngsters were visiting; they like animals don’t they – so what better than a trip to the zoo? Eschewing a more local option in favour of the much bigger and allegedly more betterer Chester Zoo, a 4-5 hour round trip, we set off with a song on our lips and all that stuff.  Nobody recognised my tuneless rendition of “Daddy’s taking us to the zoo.”  Maybe because it was tuneless.

Chester Zoo has quite a reputation and, with more than 2 million pre-pandemic visitors each year, is Britain’s most visited zoo.  It is also, some say, the best.  Chester Zoo covers 128 acres, has in excess of 20,000 animals (does that include ants?) and employs more than 1,000 people.  Other zoos are available – see below.  I confess to generally enjoying an occasional zoo visit, provided the animals don’t appear cramped or distressed.  You may claim that detaining and caging any creature is cruel and morally wrong; the counter-argument is that many zoos nowadays do much to preserve species that man’s greed and thoughtlessness has endangered and that many animals are bred in captivity.  Both positions are valid.  The fact is that zoos exist and, personally, I reckon their work now does far more good than harm.  In any event, the kids were not the only ones looking forward to the visit.

To anyone fortunate enough to enjoy much of Britain’s countryside and heritage for free, or to have unlimited visits to larger historic sites included in an annual membership subscription (see which is the best heritage organisation to join ) paying more than a few quid to get into anything is a hard concept to grasp.  So when I learned that the entry to Chester Zoo would cost our party of four adults and three small children about £160 (2022 prices), I was tearfully grateful that someone else was paying.  For comparison, based on current data (£ per pint, pints per session and No thereof), it would take me about ten weeks to drink the equivalent in value of Special Belly Grower ale down at the Old Rupturede Ducke. Therefore, supporting your local pub is cheaper than going to the zoo.  Chester is not the most expensive wildlife encounter in Britain, but it is clearly far from a cheap family day out.  Pile on the cost of food, snacks, buggy hire and anything you feel compelled to buy from the giftshop (cuddly snakes, rhinos and so on) and it becomes even more of an exceptional event.  Many people will not be able to afford it, which means that children who would probably most benefit from the experience, let alone adore it, must be missing out.

The objective of visiting a zoo is to see animals.  Obviously.  But it takes particularly careful planning to see the greatest possible number of them while you are there.  Timing is everything.  So, we went in January, in the middle of winter, when it is cold and daylight hours are short.  In addition, Chester, for the benefit of the overseas reader, is in north-west England, a notoriously soggy and chilly part of the country at the best of times.  Unlike, say, sub-Saharan Africa.  Whilst the day of our visit was far from the storm-lashed arctic experience it might have been, no one should have been surprised that most sensible animals appeared to be snuggled under their duvets, or maybe indoors playing on the Xbox.  The viewing rate was further reduced by a rumour of avian flu that forced the closure of walk-through bird enclosures.  In addition, some precautions against Covid-19 were in place, so parts of the complex were shut.  I would not complain about those precautions and, frankly, was pleased that most animals were practising social distancing – especially the Big Cats.  Even so, the value of our visit, expressed as the ratio of animals seen to cost, could have been considerably better.  That said, zoos, like all attractions, suffered financial losses during the pandemic, must be hideously expensive to maintain, and it was good to see as many people there as we did. Some, sporting curiously orange complexions, were almost as interesting as the captive creatures.  Glancing at them furtively, I wondered whether Trump supporters were being secretly bred in the Wirral – hopefully for export. Or perhaps sun bed establishments in the region have being enjoying good trade at the expense of resorts in Spain or Turkey.

‘’Apps’ are everywhere these days. “Download our app, take up memory on your mobile phone, freely hand over your personal details and save us wasting good money on adequate customer service.”  Last year, we were rudely refused service in the Worcester branch of Wetherspoons because we simply wanted to order food in person; I suppose it serves us right for going there (never again) in the first place. Apps are the thing; I shouldn’t be surprised if undertakers had them.  Chester Zoo certainly has and it seems this is the way to find your way round, because we couldn’t see anywhere to buy a map. A decent map of a large attraction is, I suggest, an essential tool in making the most of your visit.  If you don’t want to use an attraction’s app, but still quaintly insist on knowing where you are and finding your way around, you have to take a photo of a map at the entrance (assuming that option is available) – which is what we did at Chester. Given the limitation of screen size, however, it was less than ideal.

The apparent absence of animals from many enclosures did not prevent us enjoying those that decided to say hello.  And, as you can see from the photographs, Chester Zoo keeps many traditional favourites.  It has also invested heavily in some innovative artificial environments, including an island area that aims to replicate tropical South East Asia, and which features a river boat trip.  Even with invisible animals, it is impressive; but the boat trip was closed.

I enjoyed watching the animals we met.  Staring into the terrifying, beautiful, green eyes of a tiger jealously guarding the remains of a rabbit was quite an experience.  I was also impressed that the rhino, powerful and prehistoric, politely refrained from mentioning the truly awful smell that someone had made in his home. A highlight, though, had to be the butterfly house, in which delicate, highly coloured, creatures gently fluttered about your head in the humid atmosphere and my camera lens steamed up.  Kids loved it; it held their attention in a way that other enclosures – particularly the empty ones, failed to do.  Sometimes, of course, patience is required.  I leaned on a barrier, gazing at a sleek cheetah pacing moodily up and down a worn path; after a short while, I noticed that the rest of our group were somewhere in the distance.  This sort of thing kept happening; it is a curious irony, I thought, that children often don’t stand still long enough to observe the creatures they have come to see.  Perhaps zoos aren’t for youngsters after all; perhaps it is a feature of our instant gratification, short attention span, society.

It not being ideal weather for a picnic, we had planned to eat at one of Chester Zoo’s catering outlets.  Since several of these were closed, choice was limited.  Inside, they were heaving with a variety of fellow Homo Sapiens , plus a smattering of other primates (some of them orange). We ended up at June’s Food Court, which served healthy options like batter with a touch of fish, chips, burgers, pizzas and fizzy drinks.  Despite the long queues, it was highly efficient – and I didn’t need to use an app.  The fish and chips was surprisingly horrible, however, and a lack of table space meant we had to eat outside anyway, doing battle with aggressive, greedy, seagulls.  We won, but it was a close thing.

June’s is named for June Mottershead, daughter of the zoo’s founder, George Mottershead (1894-1978).  George had a childhood dream of creating a zoo without bars and opened Chester Zoo in 1931.

For more information about Chester Zoo, here a link to its website .

We mentioned other zoos are available and here is a selection. Click or tap a name to reach the website.  I wouldn’t over-rely on the accuracy of the stats if I were you, but the first three charge more than Chester for entry.  Some places have a bewildering number of price options, some of which (like rail tickets) seem designed to confuse, whilst others, like different prices at different times of the year, make sense. Message to railway and zoo operators: always make it easy for people to buy from you.

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68 thoughts on “a visit to chester zoo”.

Hahaha! Mike, some of your writing in this reminds me so much of Bill Bryson and his dry wit. “Batter with a touch of fish”, animals playing Xbox and orange people fitting in particularly made me laugh. 😀

I am REALLY surprised, btw, that London Zoo has 20,000 animals?!? I have visited, many years ago, but can’t remember seeing a particularly large amount of animals compared to other zoos, especially given its size (I would guess many of them are insects and reptiles, but still). I’m yet to visit Chester Zoo and have always heard it’s excellent, but it’s a shame so many areas were closed off – and also that so many animals were hiding from the lovely UK winter!

Thank you, Clazz – hope it made you smile! I checked the London Zoo figure again and another table on its website says it’s 14,900. Thanks for querying it.

That’s still an awful lot, to be fair!

I think you made some great memories there for your grandchildren. I cannot remember the last time I went to a zoo, it seems so long ago.

Thanks, Sue. I hope the children do remember it.

I appreciate your wit, Mike and we share your feelings about the leaning towards orange. We have not visited Cheshire Zoo, even though it is on our doorstep and that is purely down to the entry price. Little ones do not stand still for long, as you have witnessed. Entertaining post. Hugs to you both.

Thank you, Jane. To be fair, some adults don’t have great attention spans either. Hugs back!

great shots of the animals there! The elephants are my favorite 🙂

Thank you! Must admit I was fascinated by the big cats – and the butterflies were beautiful.

It’s hilarious that orange skin is associated with Trump in Britain too. Glad you didn’t try to share the tiger’s rabbit

What’s Trump? Ah – I’m not that keen on rabbit.

Hi Mike – I’m glad it was ‘successful’ and I expect the kids (little ones!) will remember their particular specialities … a scientist who is now an entomologist, George McGavin has a wonderful story … as how when an enthusiastic youngster was very happy when out with his school to sit on the ground and ponder what was around him – going off into ‘the bush’ did not interest him (much) – way too many distractions. So you never know said grandchildren will astound you as they spread their wings – a Chester Zoo is a good initiative. Fun visit – and yes I bet you were glad you weren’t paying! Cheers Hilary

I hope the little ones will remember it happily, Hilary. It was an enjoyable day, notwithstanding!

I thoroughly enjoyed your amusing visit to a zoo. If you visit the Washington DC, US area, we have a wonderful zoo in Baltimore MD. I like it better than the National Zoo in DC. One thing though, please keep your own orange people – we have enough here already. Love your posts!

Thank you very much! I will issue the relevant instructions re orange exports.

Seems like an awful lot of money when the whole site is not available. The last zoo I viited was at Doue La Fontaine in the Maine et Loire….open enclosures and well organised, right down to the escapologist monkey who raided rucksacks. A friend and I were ordered to sit down on a bench to have our photographs taken by her gentleman friend who later showed us the result….behind us was a large vulture and he entitled his oevre ‘three old birds’.

Did the gentleman friend survive?

I believe it took all the exercise of his not inconsiderable charm….

Well, when I read this line at the top: Eschewing a more local option in favour of the much bigger and allegedly more betterer Chester Zoo, a 4-5 hour round trip, we set off with a song on our lips and all that stuff.” I thought — “I’ve seen this movie before!” The trip to the zoo where distance and exhaustion turns a glorious day into one you are more than relieved has come to an end!

I’m delighted that apart from the admission (Yikes! Ten weeks of beer at the pub?) it was a fun day and your observations made me smile and the “surprisigly horrible” “batter with a touch of fish” brought downright laughter! Covid has changed a lot of things in public venues (at least it is an open one) but it shouldn’t change the food prep! And I’m with you on apps. And maps. Your observation about zoos perhaps not being so much for kids after all is an apt one. For Christmas we gave the kids a family membership to the Detroit Zoo because the kids can’t handle a long day of it so now they can go back often, which they love to do. (Maybe it’s the parents who can’t stand a full day of the kids at the zoo…) Anyway, this one is a gem! A perfect review and wonderful insight!

Thanks, Jeanie – my attempts at humour aren’t always appreciated – or even understood! I think membership is a great idea – and some schemes include other zoos too, I believe.

A trip to Chester Zoo was always a highlight in my childhood. It has always been well-respected for not having animals in small cages, even before other zoos saw the light. Like one of your previous commentators, I have mixed feelings about zoos. They do a great deal towards helping re-establish endangered creatures, but keeping a creature that, in the wild, ranges for many square kilometers in a relatively smallish space does seem wrong. Your photos are wonderful, though. But the food doesn’t sound like what I remember from taking my own children there in the 70s. Perhaps we took a picnic!

To be fair, plenty of other people, and seagulls, seemed to be enjoying the food.

A great account of your visit. My last zoo trip was to Chester. In pre Covid times and the summer but not school holidays it was an enjoyable experience. I think I would have been a lot more disgruntled than you with regards value for money.

The trouble is that I guess these places are hideously expensive to run.

I can’t remember the last time I visited a zoo … The grandchildren went to Marwell Zoo a couple of years ago which they enjoyed. Perhaps we will get the opportunity to visit one later in the year …

All the best Jan

Oh – I’ve been to Marwell several times, but not for many years. It is/was good.

That tiger is a stunner.

Yes – fearsome, but beautiful!

It’s been years since I’ve been to Chester Zoo… I think the last place I went to was West Midlands Safari Park (which I would recommend).

That’s a new one on me, Nikki, thanks. Website looks good.

Nice shots! I visited my son and grandson down south in October last year and took them to Whipsnade, wasn’t too impressed it was a pain trying to find our way to anywhere we wanted to be. We have a couple of small zoos up here which are brilliant, one even has a pair of snow leopards, and I like going to those with my grandkids and a camera.

I have fond memories of Whipsnade – London Zoo is far too cramped, sadly. And I’m sure I saw a beautiful snow leopard at the Highland Wildlife Park – years ago!

In the two years of Covid, we haven’t been anywhere much except the local supermarkets, pharmacies, parks and outside coffee shops. Thus tv programmes that I would never have looked at before Covid!

I discovered The Secret Life of the Zoo has been a terrific programme, filmed at Chester Zoo and other sites. The most interesting aspects have been the sex lives of animals, birthing and raising babies, and the relationships with keepers. Even my grandchildren have loved The Secret Life of the Zoo, and they normally think my taste in tv programmes is horrible,

Well, that sounds like a result!

I like the natural habitat aspect

Yes, they have thought hard about that.

…. It’s never been the same, since the last Matamata terrapin (the ugliest creature on the planet) moved on.

OK – I have just looked at some pictures of the Matamata terrapin. They don’t come in orange, do they?

Those empty enclosures are a challenge for those of use with less than great eyesight- I always find myself staring for far too long, wondering if there’s something there that I’m just not seeing… It sounds like a fun day, apps, price tags, and fishless batter notwithstanding! Thanks for the tour with great pictures, and some great laughs. Those price tags are painful- my dad gifted us a zoo trip, but I’m saving it up for a little bit warmer weather. While I’d rather see animals in the wild, I do enjoy seeing them the zoos that take treating their animals well seriously (at least until I manage that world tour to see them all in person in nature… :)) Our nearest one breeds Sumatran tigers, clouded leopards and red wolves- so beautiful! One zookeeper talked about how part of his job was to take baby tigers home at night to take care of feedings etc. What a job!

Taking tigers home demonstrates considerable commitment..! I’m with you – seeing these lovely creatures is a privilege. Of course, their natural camouflage can be a problem 🙂

Thank goodness zoos today have animals in natural habitats. I enjoyed how you thought about children with their short attention span. They have to start somewhere, and these zoo trips will have a lasting memory. January at a zoo would be pretty calm, although that tiger was eyeballing you. Wonderful post, Mike.

Thanks, Jennie 🙂

You’re welcome, Mike.

You have brought back memories of my most recent visit to this Zoo that I visited often as a child. I enjoyed seeing how the Zoo had developed and created distinct zones and climate areas for the animals.

When visiting as a child we always took picnics rather than using the in-house facilities. That cut down on the cost of the visit.

I hate apps and always check out options before visiting places. Is a map or guidebook available?

With regards to a map, there is one on the Zoo website which can be downloaded and printed before a visit.

https://cdn.chesterzoo.org/2021/12/Chester-Zoo-Map-081221.pdf?utm_source=CZ+map+download-pdf&utm_medium=cz+website&utm_campaign=Chester+Zoo+Plan+your+Visit

We were considering visiting Chester Zoo in a few days time but we decided to leave it until the longer opening hours to make the most of our visit.

Thanks, CP. They have certainly invested in the facilities – I shudder to think how much it costs to maintain.

Thank you for this zoo visit AND your typically eloquent description of apps (“Apps are everywhere these days. ‘Download our app, take up memory on your mobile phone, freely hand over your personal details and save us wasting good money on adequate customer service.'”) This is one of many reasons i happily live without a cell phone. I can’t remember the last time I went to a zoo. i DID go to the aquarium in Boston a few years ago and was startled to discover how much money it cost. But, like the Chester Zoo, they do a lot of ecologically important work; so I paid the fee and savored the amazing breadth of sea creatures on display… BTW, they were wise enough not to serve fish & chips in their onsite restaurant.

Love the idea of an aquarium serving fish and chips..!

I can’t remember the last time we visited a zoo Mike and I think I’ll content myself with seeing the local wildlife!

Hard to beat local wild life, Peter.

I am fascinated, at the moment, by four jackdaws frequenting our garden. One is particularly adept at using a cup shape in a tree to balance a half coconut filled with fat. He lifts the coconut off its hook and transfers it into the same spot each time. Marvellous free entertainment!

And the catering’s first class.

It must be acceptable, they keep on inviting their friends to join them!

seems like you and your visitors made the best out of a less than ideal situation. You also got some great photos, and I love the humor that you sprinkled throughout the post…

Thanks, Jim – much appreciated!

seems like you and your visitors made the best of less than ideal situation. YOu got some great photos, and I love the sense of humor you wrote this one with…

So when all is said and done, seems most likely that we would not find you again at a zoo, but at the Ruptured Duck. I’m definitely not a fan of zoos, but I sure enjoyed reading this post from the intrepid ABAB team

Not at all – I enjoy the odd trip to a zoo. Glad you enjoyed the article.

Like you, I am not a fan of those ghastly “animal jails” but some zoos today do a lot of good in the research/breeding programmes. A long time ago I went to Chessington Zoo. It was hellish, especially for the sad animals. As for the insistance on apps…$#@^%$@@@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn’t it ‘Chessington World of Adventures’ now? I’m probably out of touch…

So very wittily written, chuckled all the way through this post. Don’t get me on the “app” thing, this comments box isn’t big enough. What I can say though is that I lived in Bedford around the time that Woburn opened – you know, that place where you paid good money to have your aerial bent by a monkey and then drove through successive empty pastures. My ex father-in-law (“ex” for both reasons, I am no longer married to his daughter and he’s gone to whichever corner of the afterlife is occupied by miserable gits) refused to go to Woburn, on the basis that it reversed the role of humans viewing animals in cages, something he wanted no part of. I don’t suppose the animals were overly perturbed by his absence.

Thank you – I’m glad someone appreciated my meagre attempts at humour! You miss your ex-father-in-law, then? 🙂

Oh every day

That’s nice 🙂

I believe this is the Zoo featured on a TV Show on Channel 4 called Life at the Zoo. We enjoy watching it and I am impressed with the attention paid to endangered species. A day out at the zoo with children is always special, although they don´t like to stand still for long, as you noticed.

Yes, I believe Chester is one of many zoos that do great work. I’ve always enjoyed time at a zoo with kids too.

Sad – it used to be such a lovely zoo. We had family living in Cheshire so it was a favourite treat.However Cumbria’s Dalton Zoo has always been a favourite with our grandchildren – and us. There are great special offers on entry too. Half price if you book on line currently. Nor as far to drive either.

I’m sure it still is a lovely zoo.

A Bit About Britain welcomes visitors. What do you think? Cancel reply

Become a member

Become a member of Bristol Zoological Society, and play an important role in our shared mission of Saving Wildlife Together.

Sign up today and receive a limited edition red panda pin badge. This offer applies to new adult and child memberships, while stocks last!**

Already a member? Book your next visit .

Membership benefits

Unlimited entry to Bristol Zoo Project for a year

Free entry to other zoos*

Including Paignton Zoo, Chester Zoo, Twycross Zoo, Newquay Zoo, Woburn Safari Park, Marwell Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS) & Highland Wildlife Park, Colchester Zoo, Belfast Zoo

10% off Animal Experiences

10% discount on purchases in the Bristol Zoo Project shop *

10% off Leap of Faith

Monthly member newsletter by email, keeping you fully updated with exclusive animal news, offers and events

Invitation to members-only events

Receive a limited edition red panda pin badge. This offer applies to adult and child memberships, while stocks last!

*Restrictions apply

Membership matters

Our members directly help support wildlife by enabling us to carry out conservation work at Bristol Zoo Project, in the UK and around the world.

Lifetime membership

By becoming a lifetime member, you’ll help save wildlife today and for years to come. You’ll also be signing up for a lifelong adventure with nature, and enjoy a lifetime of membership benefits.

Gift a membership

Membership is the perfect gift for any occasion and it lasts all year round! With unlimited visits to Bristol Zoo Project as well as free entry to 10 other zoos across the UK, a Bristol Zoological Society gift membership really is the gift that keeps on giving.

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Your membership pays for itself in just three visits.

Adult (15+) - Annual £54.00

Child (2-14 inclusive) - Annual £42.00

Lifetime (15+) - £1,000

Not quite ready to commit?

Join before you leave on the day of your visit, and we’ll take the cost of your ticket off your membership.

Terms and conditions apply.

Frequently asked questions

Members get much more than great experiences. Your support helps us achieve our mission of Saving Wildlife Together. You’ll be making a valuable contribution to the important work we do here at Bristol Zoo Project and across the globe. We are only able to continue this work through the generosity of members and donors.

You will need your welcome letter from Bristol Zoological Society which contains the expiry date of your membership, alongside your membership card to gain free entry to our partner zoos.

Please email the Visitor Experience team at [email protected] if you require a copy of your welcome letter.

The visitation requirements for each zoo are as follows:

Twycross Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, RZSS & Highland Wildlife Park and Belfast Zoo do not require members to pre book. Please present your members card and membership letter for evidence of expiry date.

Paignton Zoo : Contact admissions if you are planning your visit during the summer holidays or sunny high-traffic weekend days. Please present your members card and membership letter for evidence of expiry date.

Newquay Zoo : Email [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to your visit to arrange your booking. Please present your members card and membership letter for evidence of expiry date and a photo ID.

Chester Zoo : Do not require members to pre book. Please present your member’s card and membership letter for evidence of expiry date, and head straight through to the admission lanes. Members do not need to queue at any of the ticket windows or visit their Membership HQ.

Colchester Zoo : Do not require members to pre book. Please present your member’s card and membership letter for evidence of expiry date. Please visit the Ticket Office on arrival. Members can visit Colchester Zoo on any date during normal zoo opening hours, however are not able to attend selected special events, including but not limited to, Trail of Terror, The Santa Experience and Enchanted Trail of Light.

Woburn Safari Park : Call 01525 290407 or email [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to your visit to arrange your booking. Please present your member’s card and membership letter for evidence of expiry date.

Marwell Zoo : Email [email protected] to ensure that they have availability on your chosen date. Members are not currently able to visit during Glow Marwell 2023 which is from, Friday 24 November – Saturday 25 November, Friday 1 December - Saturday 23 December, Wednesday 27 December - Saturday 30 December. Please also refrain from visiting on exclusive Character Thursdays during the summer holidays.

We recommend you pre-book your visit online to guarantee entry on your preferred date and time, especially during the school holidays, weekends and bank holidays.

This offer applies to newly purchased adult and child memberships, and can be selected in conjunction with the onsite ticket upgrade offer and offsite extra month free upgrade offer. One badge per person. Badges are limited edition, once all badges have been distributed, the offer is no longer valid. Pin badges are available to collect from Visitor Information at Bristol Zoo Project alongside the membership pack and card. We regret that we are unable to post pin badges. Pin badges must be collected within 3 months from the date of purchase. We regret that we are unable to guarantee you will receive your selected quantity of badges after this date.

Don’t worry, just head to Visitor Information on your next visit to get a new card printed. You will need to give your membership number at Admissions to gain entry to the site.

A replacement card will cost £5.

Your support means so much to us and it is vital to our continued mission of Saving Wildlife Together. However, we appreciate that the cost of a membership may no longer be viable.

There are other ways you can support Bristol Zoological Society, such as making a one-off donation, or adopting one of our animals.

For our long-standing members who feel unable to retain their membership, we would be delighted to discuss alternative means of support, such as switching to an annual or monthly donation. Please contact [email protected] to discuss further.

As a charity, we rely on the support of our members, donors and Bristol Zoo Project visitors to enable us to continue saving wildlife both here at Bristol Zoo Project and around the world. The last membership increase was in 2022 and the costs of running a zoo and carrying out hands-on conservation work across the globe have continued to rise.

Your membership pays for itself in just three visits, making it incredibly good value and providing vital funds so that we can help protect wildlife now and in the future.

Each member has their own individual membership card with photo identification to ensure your card can’t be used by another. The photo needs to be taken at Visitor Information, and the card retained upon renewal. If you lose your card there will be a £5 replacement fee to cover printing and postage.

You will now receive the same benefits as those currently offered to members at Bristol Zoo Project.

Unfortunately we are unable to offer some of the benefits previously received by Bristol Zoo Gardens members, such as discounts for friends and family and discounted food.

Please keep your existing Life Membership Card, making it possible for you to visit Bristol Zoo Project and receive the associated benefits. In addition, you will continue to enjoy free entry to selected UK Zoos and Safari Parks, invitations to Life Member Events, and be part of the ground-breaking transformation into Bristol Zoo Project.

You can cancel a membership renewal by emailing [email protected] . Please include your membership number as well as any additional member details.

As a charity, we rely on the support of our members, donors and visitors to enable us to continue carrying out vital conservation work. At the same time, the costs of running a zoo and carrying out hands-on conservation work across the globe have continued to rise.

We have had to remove the renewal discounts due to these cost pressures. Your membership continues to be excellent value, paying for itself in just three visits. Your support means that we can continue our mission of Saving Wildlife Together.

Community Membership can be purchased by community organisations and charities that meet our criteria.

Each member is able to utilise unnamed cards that can be distributed among their beneficiaries and members, enabling unlimited access to the zoo.

Community membership also includes 10% discount available for use in our shop, regular newsletter updates and invites to other Access to Nature events.

Find out more on our Access to Nature page.

No two families are the same, which is why we do not offer a standardised family membership, or a senior membership option. Our adult and child memberships continue to be fantastic value, paying for themselves in just three visits.

Please email the team on [email protected] with your query and contact details and we will come back to you as soon as we can.

Chester Zoo

Top ways to experience Chester Zoo and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Chester Zoo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Chimpanzee Eden is closed today
• The Gruffalo Discovery Land is closed for exciting refurbishment until 25 May 2024

ENTRY TO UK ZOOS, EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS & MORE

Annual membership.

ENJOY EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS & SUPPORT OUR CHARITY

As a member of Twycross Zoo, you’ll help our conservation efforts in Leicestershire and across the world in protecting endangered species for future generations. Every penny goes towards our charity's mission against extinction. 

ADULT (18+ YRS) MEMBERSHIP £80

CHILD (3-17 YRS) MEMBERSHIP £60

JOIN UP TODAY

WHATS INCLUDED IN AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP?

FREE ENTRY TO UK ZOOS

WORTH £200

10 EXTRA ZOOS TO EXPERIENCE

• Chester Zoo (one visit per annum)
• Marwell Zoo (one visit per annum)
• Wild Place Project (one visit per annum)
• Newquay Zoo (one visit per annum)
• Paignton Zoo (one visit per annum)
• Colchester Zoo (unlimited visits per annum)
• Belfast Zoo (unlimited visits per annum)
• Dublin Zoo (unlimited visits per annum)
• Edinburgh Zoo (unlimited visits per annum)
• Highlands Wildlife Park (unlimited visits per annum)

12 MONTHS ENTRY TO TWYCROSS ZOO

JOIN OUR CONSERVATION MISSION

• Re-visit your favourite animals for 12 months
• 12 months entry to The Gruffalo Discovery Land
• VIP entry - no pre-booking required, but advised on bank holidays
• Fast track entry on busy days
• Early entrance on selected dates

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS

MORE SAVINGS = MORE FUN

• SAVE up to 50% on soft play
• SAVE 15% on animal experiences
• SAVE 10% on gifts in-store and online
• SAVE 10% on food and drink
• SAVE up to 15% on conservation talks

MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTERS

Be one of the first to hear the latest news at the zoo, including behind-the-scenes content and exclusive competitions.

MEMBERS EVENTS

Whether its a VIP opening event or a special conservation talk, our members are first on the invite list.

Terms & conditions apply to all discounts and benefits included within the Annual Membership. Read more

JOIN THE HERD!

Join our mailing list to keep up to date with Twycross Zoo news and special offers.

WHAT’S ON

What would you like to see or do?

Chester Zoo Memory Cafe

Various dates throughout the year 10.30am - 12pm

Conservation Tots: Tiny Tots

10 - 10.45am every Wednesday during term time

Conservation Tots: Toddler Tots

11 - 11.45am every Wednesday during term time

FE Staff Zoo CPD

Friday 10 May 2024 9am - 5pm

Junior Rangers Weekend Club

9 June - 23 June. Every Sunday (9:30am – 11am)

Mini Rangers Weekend Club

Rhino husbandry and management workshop.

Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 June 2024

An Introduction to Applied Zoo Animal Behaviour

Monday 8 July 2024

Sustainability and Climate Change Education Forum

Friday 12 July 2024

Browse Management & Silage Production Workshop

Thursday 15 August 2024 8.45am - 4pm

Conservation Technology – The Future of Zoo Research

Wednesday 21 August 10am-5pm

Young Conservationist Holiday Course

Tuesday 6 – Thursday 8 August, or Tuesday 20 – Thursday 22 August 2024 8.30am - 4.30pm

JUNIOR RANGERS HOLIDAY CLUB

All 2024 holiday dates are now available to book

MINI RANGERS HOLIDAY CLUB

Young zoo keeper careers day.

31 May, 30 August or 1 November

Membership Options

• Current Members
• Donor Clubs

Virtual Membership

Gift membership.

• Membership FAQ

Join for a Full Year of Adventure, Learning, and Fun!

All Members receive free admission, free parking, discounted tickets for extra guests, discounts at the gift shop, restaurants, and on educational programs, priority registration for select programs, free admission to PNC Festival of Lights, discounts at 150+ zoos and aquariums nationwide, invitations to member-only previews and special events, and virtual membership perks!! Current members, access your Digital Membership Card here.

Family = 2 adults, up to 8 children | Dual = 2 adults  |  Individual = 1 adult

Official Membership Sponsor:

Standard level benefits + unlimited rides on the Train & Carousel + 4 free guests per visit

Family** – $330

Dual – $265 

Individual – $230 

Standard level benefits + unlimited rides on the Train & Carousel + 1 free guest per visit

Family** – $245 

Dual – $180 

Individual – $145 

Year-round unlimited admission + parking

Family** – $165 

Dual – $120 

Individual – $80 

• All membership levels include year-round unlimited admission plus parking, from date of purchase.
• All memberships get access to the Cincinnati Zoo Virtual Member Center, including the live Hippo Cam, Giraffe Cam & Lion Cam!
• Unlimited admission (excluding special and separately ticketed events.)
• Free parking each visit (Parking cannot be guaranteed on high attendance days. Parking is limited to one vehicle per named adult. Parking lot is for visitors to the Zoo and only for the duration of the visit.  Parking for other purposes is explicitly prohibited and may result in your vehicle being towed.)
• Elephant Trek – Opening 2024!!!
• Early Entry into Zoo (9 -10am mid-March through November 20)
• Four half-price guest tickets per day. (Limit 4 half-price tickets per membership, per day.) Half off full ticket price offer cannot be combined with any other discounts.
• Discounts at retail and food service locations in the zoo (some exclusions may apply, please see Gift Shop associates for details)
• Discounted Admission to over 100  reciprocal zoos and aquariums  – including 7 in Ohio (may not be available at all Zoos listed at this time)
• Discounts on Zoo education classes, camps and lectures
• Free Admission to PNC Festival of Lights
• Access to exclusive content
• Subscription to Z-mail, a bi-monthly e-newsletter with the latest zoo news

Virtual Member Benefits

• All membership levels  include access to the  Cincinnati Zoo Virtual Member Center, including the live Hippo Cam!
• Live hippo feed
• Live giraffe feed
• Live lion feed
• Exclusive videos
• Discounts in the Zoo’s online store
• Insider news

All members are held to the Zoo’s Policies, found at  Visitor FAQs .   Memberships are non-refundable, non-transferrable and cannot be extended.  *NOTE: Virtual Membership does NOT include admission to the Cincinnati Zoo.

The person(s) using this membership grants the Zoological Society of Cincinnati (the “Zoo”) permission to use his or her image, or that of his/her children, in advertising, publicity and other promotions without payment or compensation to holder. By using this membership, the person using it voluntarily assumes all risk of personal injury (including but not limited to death) and loss of property, by accident or otherwise, incidental to attending the Zoo and using its rides, attractions and facilities, and agrees that the Zoo, its directors, officers, employees, and agents are not responsible for and shall not be liable for any such injuries or losses, no matter how caused. This membership evidences a revocable license to enter the Zoo’s property, and this license may be revoked (and the holder ejected from the Zoo’s property) at the sole discretion of the Zoo, without refund, if misused or if the holder fails to abide by the policies, rules or regulations of the Zoo. Such policies, among other things, prohibit the possession and/or use of controlled substances and intoxicants on Zoo property. Park hours, prices, policies, and programs are all subject to change without notice. This membership is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fees for food, merchandise, pay-per-ride attractions, and special concerts and events are not included unless noted on the membership.

Must be renewed before the current membership expires to receive a discount, discount code required. The 20% discount cannot be combined with any additional discounts, promotions or offers.

Discount is off the full price of membership. Mail orders can take up to 21 days to process.

*Ask about a student discount

**Limit of 8 children/grandchildren per family membership, age 18 and under. Please be advised that due to US tax law, gifts made through Donor Advised Funds or charitable IRA rollovers are not eligible for memberships.

Manage Current Membership

Use Option 1 to look up your member ID and to find your membership expiration date.

Please note: There’s a $7 charge to print or re-print of any Membership card. Members can access their digital card here .  Thank you for supporting our sustainability efforts!

Become a Donor Club Member

Keeper Circle and Andrew Erkenbrecher Society memberships come with exclusive benefits.

Fiona fans all over the world can now visit the world-famous hippo and her bloat every day via live stream from Hippo Cove! Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s new Virtual Membership package includes access to a members-only site that includes the live hippo feed, live giraffe feed, live lion feed, exclusive videos, discounts in the Zoo’s online store, and insider news.

Choose the option that works for you! All membership levels  include access to the  Cincinnati Zoo Virtual Member Center.

Already a Zoo member? Just  log in  to the Virtual Member Site! Not a member yet, an out-of-towner, or just looking to access the hippo cam? Purchase a  Virtual Membership  or membership level that is best for you!

*NOTE: Virtual Membership does NOT include admission to the Cincinnati Zoo.

Looking for a wild and unique gift? Give the gift of membership! When you purchase a gift membership, you (as the gift giver) will receive an e-mail confirmation with a PDF gift certificate attached that the recipient will redeem at their convenience to begin their membership. To redeem and activate the gift membership, the recipient will need to call the Member Services Office at (513) 559-7713 or email [email protected] . You will not need any of the recipient’s information to purchase a gift membership.

The membership doesn’t start until the recipient decides to redeem the gift certificate, which means they won’t lose any time on their membership! The membership is valid for one year from the redemption date (must redeem within one year of purchase).

Gift memberships in the form of renewals will add one year from the current member’s expiration date (i.e. if the current member’s expiration date for their membership is 3/31/2023, the gift membership will add one year and expire on 3/31/2024). You will not need the current member’s information to complete the transaction.

Membership FAQs

As part of our Zero Net Waste Initiative we are no longer printing membership cards and your membership will not be automatically sent through the mail. Re-prints of physical cards will incur a $7 fee. You will receive an e-mail confirmation with a temporary card that you can use immediately. You can also download your digital membership card through the Digital Membership Portal.

All members of the military receive a 10% discount on all Zoo membership levels (both active military and veterans). Please bring your military or veteran ID to a Ticketing Window to redeem. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer/deal/discount.

In our effort to reach Zero Net Waste, there is a $7.00 fee for re-printing physical membership cards. Please contact the membership office to pay by phone to replace your cards. Don’t forget you have access to your digital membership cards via the Digital Membership Portal

All memberships expire the last day of the month they are purchased in, the following year – so you and your family will have at least 12 months to enjoy the Zoo year-round.

We always add 12 months to your current expiration date when you renew. For example, if your membership expires 6/30/2021 and you renew 4/4/2021, your membership will be extended to 6/30/2022.

Our Gold level memberships include one free guest per visit and our Platinum level memberships include four free guests per visit (this is total guests for the entire membership).

No. Memberships are non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be extended. All sales are final. Primary and secondary adult member names cannot be changed during the membership year.

Memberships are not applicable for admission or rides during school field trips or ticketed events. Memberships are always valid for parking.

A Child must be 13 years or older in order to visit the zoo without a parent or guardian present. If the child is coming into the zoo on a membership (and they are one of the children on the membership), they will need a note from one of the named adults on the membership stating they give their permission and knowledge for the child to enter the zoo without them present.

Parking is limited to one vehicle per named adult on your membership, per day. If you have a Platinum, Gold or Standard membership, you may park in any open Zoo parking lot free of charge. Due to limited availability, parking is first-come, first-served and is not guaranteed on high volume days . The membership free parking benefit is applicable for zoo visits only. Parking lot is for visitors to the Zoo and only for the duration of the visit. Parking for other purposes is explicitly prohibited and may result in your vehicle being towed.

Zoo memberships are valid for all seasonal events, such as Zoo Blooms, Zoo Babies, HallZOOween, and PNC Festival of Lights.

If you have recently renewed your membership, please disregard any renewal notices that follow. Although we work to process renewals as quickly as possible, there is a chance that you may receive another notice before your payment and renewal is processed and entered into our system. Renewals sent by mail may take up to 21 days to process. If you have any additional questions about your renewal or if it has been over a month since you renewed, please call our membership office for more information.

We will honor the value of the gift certificate you received, even beyond its expiration date. However, if the price of the membership has increased since the time of purchase (or if there are any other differences in price where the value of the membership you are receiving is higher than what the gift certificate was purchased for) you will be responsible for covering the difference.

Zoo memberships are purchased for the goods and services offered by means of the membership and are NOT tax-deductible EXCEPT if the amount paid is $75 or less. Memberships $75 and under are considered an insubstantial benefit and are therefore 100% deductible. Please consult a tax advisor for additional information.

Did you buy tickets and love the Zoo? Up to 100% of your paid admission is applicable when you present proof of purchase or an email confirmation from an online ticket purchase. Admission receipts and email confirmations are only valid on the day of your visit and must show amount paid. Some restrictions apply. Amount deducted from price of the membership cannot be greater than the cost of the membership. Only one day of admission may be used. Admission deductions limited to individuals covered on the membership purchased. Please stop by the Ticketing Windows or Welcome Center to purchase. Tickets purchased for Zoo events or through promotions/offers are not able to be applied toward a membership.

Here are some important Membership Policy reminders:

• Memberships are non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be extended.
• Each named adult on the membership must provide a valid photo ID for admission & benefits (option to have photo taken at the ticketing windows in lieu of presenting photo ID).
• Memberships cannot be used for admission or rides on school field trips or paid admission events (e.g. company picnics/outings/birthday parties/wine events/etc.).
• Parking cannot be guaranteed on high attendance days. Also, parking is limited to one vehicle per named adult. Visiting during Early Entry hour is a great way to guarantee a parking spot. (Early entry is only available mid-March – October 31)
• Children over the age of 13 from your membership may attend without a named adult but will need a note of permission and the membership card for admission & benefits.
• Some exclusions may apply for discounts at gift shops, please see a Gift Shop associate for details.
• All members are held to the Zoo’s Policies.

The membership office is open daily. Call (513) 559-7713 or e-mail us at [email protected] .

There are two ways to become a member:

• Online: Click here
• By phone: (513) 559-7713

Admission discounts for Reciprocal Zoo members, Military, and First Responders: Additional Discounts Please note : If you are a member of one of the following zoos and aquariums, you will receive 50% off general admission at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, regardless of your zoo or aquarium’s free/reduced admission policy (this offer cannot be combined with special events or promotions, i.e. Penguin Days). To receive the discount you can purchase your tickets in the “Additional Discounts” link above. Valid proof of membership and matching photo ID must be presented at the turnstiles when you arrive. When you present your Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden membership card, you will receive 50% off admission to the following zoos and aquariums (discount may not be available at all Zoos listed at this time.):

You can use your Cincinnati Zoo membership to receive FREE or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide (including 7 in Ohio). Some popular organizations that are NOT on that list, however, include San Diego Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo, and Newport Aquarium. You can view the most current list below. We strongly recommend you contact the zoo or aquarium you want to visit prior to your trip as the reciprocal list is subject to change without notice. Due to current conditions, some reciprocal Zoos may not be honoring reciprocity at this time.

Reciprocal Zoos

This list is subject to change without notice. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is not responsible for admission fees paid at reciprocal zoos as a result of unexpected changes in reciprocity agreements or other restrictions. Some organizations offer reciprocity to a limited number of individuals per visit, regardless of how many are covered by your Cincinnati Zoo membership. Parking and guest privileges generally do not reciprocate. We recommend you contact the zoos on this list prior to your visit to confirm the current reciprocity status and any restrictions. Updated April 4, 2023

Click here and use Option 1 to look up your member ID and to find your membership expiration date.

Members that renew their membership before its expiration date can receive 20% off the full-price membership!

For speedy processing, purchase your membership online! You can use your email confirmation as your membership card as soon as you receive it. If you join the Zoo or renew your membership, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with a temporary card that you can use immediately. You can also download your digital membership card through the Digital Membership Portal.

As part of our Zero Net Waste Initiative we are no longer printing membership cards and your membership will not be automatically sent through the mail. Re-prints of physical cards will incur a $7 fee.

We have added the capacity to take your photo at the Ticketing Windows if you would like to stop in and have that done. You will not need a photo ID on future visits once we have stored your photo. You will still need to provide your membership card for entry. We have limited resources on-site to take pictures at this time. If there is a line we ask you to accomplish this on your next visit.

As a non-profit organization that relies heavily on membership and attendance for support, we must prevent misuse of our membership cards. We also want to protect our members should their cards be lost or stolen. We try hard to keep our membership prices affordable for as many families as possible. If families and neighbors shared memberships, our revenue would be severely reduced and we would have little choice but to raise our prices.

No problem! You can access your digital membership cards via the Digital Membership Portal at www.cincinnatizoo.org/zoodigitalmembership . You can access from any smart phone or tablet. Don’t have a smart phone or tablet? Just stop at the ticket windows and we can issue you a Day Pass. You may then take your Day Pass and photo ID to the turnstile for entry. Please note, if you forget your membership card, we will issue a Day Pass one time as a courtesy; additional occurrences will require the purchase of replacement cards (see next question).

Fill out this form beforehand!

Nanny Agreement Form

Special $50 membership is available and must be purchased in person. Requires valid ID and SNAP/EBT card. Learn more about our Zoo Access for All  program.

Join the Cincinnati Zoo Member HQ Facebook Group for exclusive news & content!  Click here to join Cincinnati Zoo Member HQ

Please contact us for assistance. You may call (513) 559-7713 or e-mail us at [email protected] .