Chester Zoo

Full View

View All Photos

What will students see and do?

A visit to Chester Zoo, located in the heart of Cheshire with easy transport links from Greater Manchester, Merseyside and North Wales, offers students the chance to enjoy a day of discovery in a world of wildlife and conservation. Whether it’s a reward trip for a job well done or an educational visit tied to the curriculum, Chester Zoo provides a fun and enriching experience for all.

Students will explore over 128 acres of beautiful grounds, home to more than 30,000 animals. They’ll have the chance to see rare and endangered species like giraffes, tigers, and orangutans and learn about their natural habitats and the importance of conservation efforts to protect them.

Chester Zoo is an all-weather attraction, with lots of open spaces to explore as well as large indoor animal and plant houses if the weather isn’t the best. There’s still plenty to see and do in the comfort and the warmth.

Along the way, students can engage in interactive learning experiences, including educational talks by expert keepers, and explore immersive environments that connect the animals’ habitats to key subjects. These activities make the zoo a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world conservation issues.

New for 2025

For those looking to explore biodiversity and ecosystems, the brand-new Heart of Africa experience offers vital insight into African wildlife and habitats.

Students can engage with the zoo’s conservation efforts, developing a greater understanding of how they can contribute to preserving our planet.

A visit to Chester Zoo is a memorable and educational day out, inspiring the next generation of conservationists.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

While biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability are often associated with science-based subjects, a visit to Chester Zoo can support much more than just science. As the planet changes and species face increasing threats, the next generation’s passion to protect our planet grows stronger.

A trip to the zoo connects students to wildlife and the world around them in ways that go beyond traditional subjects. It enhances learning in PSHE and philosophy, while also providing inspiration for creative work in English and drama.

Our programme of workshops is designed to support cross-curricular learning, with comprehensive resources to help students engage with conservation issues, understand the natural world, and spark their curiosity about global challenges.

Subjects covered

Art and Design

Business Studies

Citizenship

Communication Skills

Confidence Building

EYFS – Personal, Social & Emotional Development

EYFS – Understanding the World

English

Geography

History

Maths

PSHE/RSHE

Philosophy

Reward

STEM

Science

Team Building

Travel & Tourism

Teaching resources provided

To make the most of your visit to Chester Zoo, you can take advantage of our extensive collection of free learning resources, available before, during, and after the trip.

Our resources platform is easy to navigate, with options to search by age, subject, and resource type. Available resources include videos, infographics, fact files, images, and games, all designed to engage students and enrich their learning.

There are also on-site activities to enhance your group’s visit, whether used to build excitement before the trip or as follow-up activities back at school.

In addition, the platform offers a range of Conservation Curriculum toolkits for EYFS–KS3. These include full lesson plans, topic webs, progression overviews, and ready-to-go lessons that help teachers bring conservation topics to life in the classroom.

We also have a brand-new cross-curricular resource collection tailored to support the newly opened Heart of Africa experience.

Minimum and maximum group size

There is no minimum number of students for educational rates.

The site recommends schools visit in groups of no more than 300; if you wish to bring more than this, the recommendation is to visit over multiple days to ensure the best experience.

Details of risk assessment

This is no general risk assessment provided, as these will vary according to the individual nature of visiting groups.

PLANNING

Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment

icon for A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment

Facilities on-site

Chester Zoo’s facilities include:

Wheelchair and mobility scooter hire (complimentary for schools)
An indoor picnic lodge and multiple picnic facilities around the zoo
Four café/restaurant outlets
Many food and drink kiosks
Three gift shops
Toilets, including Changing Places facilities
The Conservation Education Hub
An immersive digital theatre

Opening times

Chester Zoo is typically open 10am–4pm, though seasonal hours may apply.

Pricing

Off peak: September–May
Child: £10
Adults within free-place ratios: Free
Additional adults outside of free-place ratios: £13

Peak: June–July
Child: £13.75
Adults within free-place ratios: Free
Additional adults outside of free-place ratios: £17.75

Travel arrangements

There is free parking for cars and coaches.

For those arriving via public transport, the X1 bus service stops outside the main entrance. There is also a park-and-ride, which stops at Chester Railway Station.