Chester Zoo opened on June 10, 1931, when George Mottershead and his family established the site at Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire, on a philosophy of open, bar-free enclosures that was unusual for its time. Nearly a century later, it has grown into the most-visited zoo in the United Kingdom, drawing close to 2 million guests annually to explore its sprawling grounds just outside Chester.
The zoo houses more than 35,000 animals representing over 500 species across roughly 130 acres of public habitats, with signature exhibits including the UK’s largest indoor zoo habitat, Monsoon Forest, and Islands, a Southeast Asian-themed zone opened in 2015. Chester Zoo is also a major conservation organization, running breeding and research programs for endangered species such as Sumatran tigers, snow leopards, and Eastern black rhinoceroses.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire, England
- Opened: June 10, 1931
- Size: About 130 acres (51 hectares) of public zoo grounds
- Species/Animal Count: Over 500 species, 35,000+ animals
- Annual Visitors: Roughly 1.9-2 million per year, making it the UK’s most-visited zoo (exact yearly totals vary by source and year)
- Famous For: Largest zoo in the UK by visitor numbers and animal collection
A Century of Conservation-First Design
From its founding, Chester Zoo broke with the caged-menagerie style common in the early 20th century, favoring open, naturalistic enclosures. That approach has carried through to modern additions like the Islands habitat and the newer Heart of Africa savannah zone, which give animals expansive, immersive spaces rather than traditional cages.
The zoo operates as a registered charity and channels much of its work into field conservation, managing international studbooks and breeding programs for critically endangered species. Its chimpanzee colony is among the largest in Europe, reflecting the zoo’s focus on great ape conservation alongside its public-facing exhibits.
Visiting Chester Zoo Today
Chester Zoo remains one of England’s top paid tourist attractions outside London, and TripAdvisor has ranked it the best zoo in the UK and among the best in the world in recent years. Highlights for visitors include the Tropical Realm rainforest house, elephant habitats, and a monorail and water bus that loop around the grounds.
The zoo continues to expand, with newer additions like the Heart of Africa savannah zone broadening its collection of large mammals. Its combination of scale, animal diversity, and conservation programming keeps it near the top of UK family day-out lists year after year.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Chester Zoo FAQs
When did Chester Zoo open?
Chester Zoo opened on June 10, 1931, founded by George Mottershead and his family.
How big is Chester Zoo?
The public zoo grounds cover about 130 acres (51 hectares), with the zoo’s total land holdings extending further.
Is Chester Zoo the biggest zoo in the UK?
It’s the UK’s most-visited zoo and has one of the largest animal collections, though ZSL Whipsnade Zoo covers a larger total land area.
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Photo: David Dixon / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.