knowsley safari park or chester zoo

Should you go to Chester Zoo or Knowsley Safari Park?

Two good options, both offering similar experiences

• 10:07, 10 MAR 2018
• Updated 16:07, 26 MAR 2018

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There is nothing more kids love than a day at the zoo.

Ice cream, tigers, amusement rides and a whole lot of fun is what Chester Zoo and Knowsley Safari Park offer.

But with both being in such local proximity, it can be hard to decide which attraction to visit.

Here's our guide to help you decide.

• Chester Zoo

Convenient for those using public transport, the Number 1 bus from Chester bus exchange and the X8 bus from Chester station drop you directly at the zoo entrance.

The Number 1 and X8 bus from Liverpool also have a direct drop off.

There is also a National Express coach to pick up visitors from further a-field.

Those coming in the car can expect free parking, but be warned, Sat Nav's get confused with the address.

• Knowsley Safari Park

As the park is primarily a drive through safari, a car is most convenient.

Those who do come via public transport are advised to take a local taxi in order to get to the park.

In the school holidays, the 530 Safari Xpress leaves Liverpool city centre and takes you directly to the Safari Park.

For those who do not own a car, the baboon bus allows visitors to experience the full safari drive with your very own guide for an additional £5 per person.

Variety of animals

With over 500 species of animals, you can see a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertabrates.

Expect bats, birds of prey, ratites, rodents, ungulates, carnivores, honeybees and primates in their natural habitat.

Things to do for kids

A whole host of activities are available at the zoo from; souvenir making, face painting, climbing frame play area, mini golf, a fun ark, animal experiences and daily animal talks.

Related Articles

Similar to Chester Zoo you can watch the sea lion displays, keeper talks, animal encounters, birds of prey displays and amusement rides.

Food and drink

The zoo caters for every foodie.

Restaurants include; The Street Kitchen, a food court, Bembe kitchen and BBQ, market place and ice cream parlour, coffee house and plenty of kiosks.

As well as on-site restaurant, the Oasis, guests can bring your own picnic to eat at the park, visit the outdoor grill in the summer or grab an ice cream or a coffee.

It always pays to book in advance. If you do this, entrance to the zoo costs £16.36 for an adult, £13.18 for a child and two and under go free.

There is also a 10 percent discount for students and seniors.

This is a big difference from the price on the gate which is £26 for adults and £22 for children.

Carers with a disabled guest go free.

A special offer is taking place, as mums go free this Mother's Day , while all other tickets will cost just £10 until March 23.

Winter prices are currently £14.00 for an adult and £10.80 for a child.

If you're planning to visit at any other time, an adult ticket costs £15.75 if you book ahead online, or £17.50 on the gate.

A child (3+) ticket costs £12.15 or £13.50, as above, and kids under 3 go free.

There is also an upcoming Easter offer which enables visitors to 20% off ticket prices if booked in advance online.

Aimed at inclusivity for everyone, Chester Zoo works with Autism Together for visitors on the autistic spectrum.

There are also multi-sensory experiences for visitors with visual impairments.

Those with wheelchairs and limited mobility can relax, as the zoo can make provisions.

Aimed at providing an enjoyable day out for all, Knowsley offers parking for disabled, assistance dogs, baby changing facilities and a wheelchair/pushchair friendly entrance.

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Knowsley Safari

Top ways to experience Knowsley Safari 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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

KNOWSLEY SAFARI: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Knowsley Safari

Top ways to experience Knowsley Safari 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.

Knowsley Safari - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Knowsley Safari Park
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Knowsley Safari Park Knowsley Park, Prescot L34 4AN Tel: 0151 430 9009

About Knowsley Safari Park

Knowsley Safari Park is north of Prescot, off the M62, eight miles north-east of Liverpool, and it’s a family attraction with a worldwide reputation as a premier conservation and zoological facility. With its varied array of entertainment rides and other features, Knowsley Safari Park also makes for a grand family day out – just the ticket for relaxation and recuperation, with a dose of good educational fun thrown in for good measure!    

Edward Lord Stanley, the thirteenth Earl of Derby, kept an extensive private menagerie at Knowsley as early as the 1830s, when the Park was one of the largest zoos in the world, covering  almost 100 acres of the Knowsley estate. It boasted 94 species of mammals and 318 species of birds, which would make it the largest bird collection in Britain today, and the third largest mammal collection after London and Chester. Among the family attraction’s regular visitors at the time was artist/poet Edward Lear, who painted many animals and entertained Stanley’s grandchildren with nonsense verses and limericks inspired by the zoo’s residents. 

Knowsley Safari Park now has 30 mammal species on show and, after serving during World War 2 as an RAF airfield, it was opened to the public in July 1971. The family attraction has expanded in acreage, the animals roaming 200 hectares (550 acres) of naturalistic enclosures like prairie and savannah. The award-winning family attraction also engages in ongoing programmes of animal husbandry and education, while it maintains its original concept of ticket holders being able to view the animals while driving through the Park in the cars – the first UK drive-through game reserve based on the East African model (and still one of only five such examples). Knowsley Safari Park was also the first to be built near a large city, and it now welcomes more than 500,000 visitors a year for a fascinating and fun family day out. 

Knowsley Safari Park’s 3½-mile (5.6 km) drive was extended by 1½ miles (2.4km) of road in 1973, and there is now a car-friendly route around the perimeter of the monkey jungle for visitors wishing to avoid a close encounter with the baboons!  

Among the 500 mammals at Knowsley Safari Park that can be seen by ticket holders are herds of immensely powerful rhinos and elephants, burly camels, the impressivee buffalo, bison and wildebeest, majestic zebra and giraffes, various types of graceful deer, antelopes, and wallabies. 

One of the star-turns on a family day out to Knowsley Safari Park are the big cats, represented by both lions and tigers, while, for those seeking natural entertainers, the family attraction has a large number of monkeys and the drive-through windscreen-wiper wreckers par excellence, the baboons. Equally entertaining, the meerkats provide ticket holders with mesmerising movements of their twitching heads and use their wet, dog-like noses to pick up scents. They bob and weave about their enclosures, along with the captivatingly cuddly otters, while recent additions to the Knowsley Safari Park family include a pack of 12 African Hunting Dogs, and Red River Hogs.

Another feature of the family attraction that is not to be missed is the daily Sealion show, when the playful mammals ply through pools to feed with their keepers and show off for the crowds. 

Other animals on view for ticket holders at the family attraction include Ankole cattle, bongo, eland, Emu, guanaco, guinea fowl, jungle fowl, lechwe, nilgai, oryx, ostrich, rhea and sitatunga, making for a varied and intriguing family day out.  

For those seeking out creep-crawlies, then the Knowsley Safari Park Bug House has an abundance of snakes, lizards and other exotic species  such as leaf-cutter ants and death’s head cockroaches.  

Besides the more unusual residents of Knowsley Safari Park, native species are represented by  goats, sheep, Highland cattle and horses at the Children’s Mizzy Lake Farm, which adds an extra dimension to a family day out with its petting paddocks and free-range creatures. 

Among the other residents that ticket holders can confront are turkeys, Mules, Llama, Pigs, Rabbits and Guinea Pigs. Additionally, at the far end of the farm is a swan sanctuary with black and mute swans, and many other birds. Among them are pea fowl and 10 species of waterfowl that nest around the lake, along with kestrels, buzzards and Woodpecker in the adjacent woodland (and falconry displays are regularly staged). For twitchers, it’s just the ticket, with sightings of Greylag Goose, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe and Kingfisher. Indeed, Knowsley Safari Park nurtures native British wildlife with its woods, grassland and water, which harbour stoats, weasels, grey and red squirrels, and Brown Hares, while Lapwings and Oystercatchers fly over the Safari Drive. 

Plants at Knowsley Safari Park include Bee and Pyramid orchids, as well as fungi ranging from Puffballs to Stinkhorns. The development of all these flora and fauna features are outlined at the family attraction’s education centre and safari school, while groups can learn from experts about conservation and other aspects of the working of Knowsley Safari Park.    

Besides all the fun to be had with the animals as part of a family day out, there are some 20 Amusement Rides, including Jungle Dodgems custom-built for Knowsley Safari Park with unique animal design cars, flying Bumble Bees, the Rattlesnake, Happy Bugs, the Safari Train and Jungle Safari, and a Ranger Patrol ride. Other highlights for children on a family day out are a Carousel, the Lakeside Railway, a Roundabout, Mini and large Pirate Ships, a Bouncy Castle, Honeypot Bears, the Stardancer and Swing Chairs.  

For those seeking the ultimate animal experience, Ranger Days offer a superb family day out, taking in a guided tour of everything from the creepy crawlies to one of the UK’s largest herds of African elephants. Birthdays are catered for as well (details at the website), and with a Souvenir Shop, Picnic Areas and Oasis Restaurant, Knowsley Safari Park is a family attraction that covers all bases. There’s even a bus tour service for ticket holders, and with disabled facilities throughout, it really is a family attraction that everyone can enjoy. 

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Knowlsley Safari Park vs Chester Zoo - Merseyside Forum

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Knowlsley Safari Park vs Chester Zoo

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What's better - Knowlsley Safari Park or Chester Zoo?

Yes you can bypass the baboon enclosure if you don't want your wipers ripped off.

The two places are different really

and is a walking day out

whereas Knowsley Safari park tries to replicate an African safari and the range of animals tends to reflect that .

Both very enjoyable

If it rains when you go to Chester Zoo you will get wet, but if it's too hot and sunny then animals, especially the big cats, can be dormant. ;-p

Anyway, I like both places and the variety of animals is different at each place.

Are both good in December?

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Chester Zoo or Knowsley Safari Park???

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Knowsley Safari

Top ways to experience Knowsley Safari 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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Knowsley Safari - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Knowsley Safari follows Chester Zoo with free tickets during teacher strike

Kids can get in completely free of charge this Wednesday

• 13:32, 31 JAN 2023
• Updated 14:10, 31 JAN 2023

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Knowsley Safari has joined Chester Zoo by announcing it will let children go free during the teacher strike.

We revealed yesterday how tickets had been released for kids to get in Chester Zoo on Wednesday, February 1, when thousands of teachers will be taking part in industrial action over pay and conditions.

Families flocked to snap them up and within hours the free tickets had sold out.

Now Knowsley Safari is running the same promotion, with free children's tickets available online .

Read more: Will my child's school shut when teachers strike?

It means an adult and child can visit the attraction for £12 and enjoy not only the UK’s longest safari drive that’s home to a wide variety of animals, but also a series of fun and educational displays throughout the day - including the sea lion and birds of prey shows.

A series of special events have been planned to keep kids busy all day, with a choice of animal talks, including about giraffes, meerkats and tigers.

Knowsley Safari’s head of learning and discovery Nikki Burton Mallot said: “Our education team will be hosting lots of fun interactive activities, displays and talks this Wednesday – all aimed at helping educate children on the importance of conservation and the role we all have to play in the long-term survival of vulnerable species, like the incredible animals here at the safari.”

A post on Knowsley's Facebook page states: "Treat your cheeky monkeys to a wild Wednesday outside the classroom and bring learning to life during the planned teacher strikes - we'll have animal talks, sea lion displays and touch tables to keep your little ones busy all day!"

The discount is applied at the checkout. See the website for more.

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Knowsley Foot Safari

A great day out, knowsley foot safari offers everything you need for a wild day out.

From our brand-new Bear Country to our Tiger Trail , explore our Nature Walk and animal habitats before heading to the Rides and play areas, whilst our Animal Displays will help to keep your little ones entertained all day long.

Once you’ve experienced the Safari Drive, why not take a walk through the Amur Tiger Trail , full of viewing spots where you can come nose-to-nose with Miron or Makari, test your speed in our ‘Dinner Dash’ sprint game - can you outrun an Amur Tiger?! 

Meet our mischievous Meerkats , giant Giraffes and smiling Sea Lions all in one Foot Safari. Add to your adventure a peaceful woodland walk which leads you past our beautiful waterfall. And the best part is, it's all included in one admission price. There’s no need for a separate ticket! 

Bear Country is the newest attraction in our Foot Safari, where you'll encounter our newest residents: two magnificent Andean Bears . As you journey down to Bear Country, just beyond the Birds of Prey centre, you have the perfect opportunity to catch a sneak peek of these elusive South American stars through our peepholes!

Once you reach the viewing window, positioned directly in front of their climbing platform, you'll have the perfect vantage point to observe them in action – whether they're enjoying a meal, lounging, or showcasing their incredible climbing ability.

Plan your visit

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Find out all the exciting info on our awe-inspiring animals and exciting activities.

Plan your vists

Animal talks & displays.

Dare to get up close to a bird of prey or get splashed by a sea lion?

From roar-some rides and amazing amusements, there’s lots to do at our Foot Safari. Set yourself up with some homemade food at our Oasis Restaurant, coffee shop, ice cream parlour and more and throw a picnic feast in our BBQ area. We cater for all needs, so give us a shout if you need any help!

Our engagement team is here during weekends and school holidays to deliver talks and touch tables in the afternoons around the Foot Safari. Learn more about the animals you love and let the children get involved with interactive learning sessions. 

Andean Bear

Imagine a bear wearing a stylish pair of spectacles! That's how Andean bears earned their nickname, thanks to their unique facial markings – distinctive rings around their eyes

Birds of Prey

Bald Eagles are between 70cm – 102cm tall and can be found in North America (including Alaska) and Canada.

Knowsley Safari has teamed up with WildCats Conservation Alliance to help save Amur tigers in the wild by raising awareness of their endangered status and contributing to their projects.

California Sea Lion

As their name suggests, California sea lions come from the western coastline of North America, but their true home range reaches from Mexico to as far north as Canada.

If you fancy a break from the hustle and bustle of the main amusements, why not take a stroll through the Wild Trail? There’s so much to do, that you’ll struggle to fit it all in!

Looking for an extra special experience? You can get up close and personal animal experiences with the Meerkat Mob , the Bush Dog pack , or meet our Sea Lions , Arthur, Roger and Louis in person! Come face to face with our Giraffes or visit the amazing Amur Tigers at your leisure. There’s so much to choose from so you can make the most of your Knowsley Foot Safari adventure!

Amur Tiger Trail

Become a roarsome researcher and meet our elusive Amur Tigers.

Plan Your Visit

Food & drink.

Enjoy freshly made food in our Oasis Restaurant.

Amusements for all

Kick back and let the kids enjoy all the rides.

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