Colchester Zoo sits on 60 acres of parkland at Heckfordbridge near Colchester, Essex, and has been a fixture of family days out in the East of England since it first opened its gates on 2 June 1963. It was founded by zoologists Frank and Helena Farrar, who established the collection on the grounds of the Stanway Hall Estate with a modest set of animals ranging from lions to kangaroos.
Today the zoo cares for around 161 species, from Amur tigers and Komodo dragons to African bush elephants, and draws roughly a million visitors annually. Immersive habitats such as Elephant Kingdom, Tiger Taiga, and Lost Madagascar have helped it grow from a small private collection into one of the region’s most visited attractions, now run as a not-for-profit under the Colchester Zoological Society.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Heckfordbridge, near Colchester, Essex, England
- Opened: June 2, 1963
- Size: About 60 acres
- Species: Around 161
- Annual visitors: About 1 million
- Famous for: Elephant Kingdom, Tiger Taiga, and Komodo dragon breeding program
- Hours: Open daily except Christmas Day, gates from 9:30am with closing times varying by season
From Family Farm to Major Zoo
Colchester Zoo began in 1963 when Frank and Helena Farrar, who had earlier run Southport Zoo, opened a roughly 25-acre collection on the Stanway Hall Estate. Financial struggles in the 1970s led to a change of ownership, and the zoo passed to the Tropeano family, who expanded and modernized it over the following decades.
In January 2025, ownership transferred again, this time to a newly formed charitable trust, the Colchester Zoological Society, which now oversees the zoo’s operations and its conservation-focused mission.
Animals and Conservation
The zoo’s habitats include Edge of Africa, Dragons of Komodo, and Elephant Kingdom, home to a herd of African bush elephants. It is a member of BIAZA, EAZA, and WAZA, and participates in European breeding programs for endangered species including Komodo dragons.
Through its Action for the Wild charity, the zoo supports conservation projects abroad, including work at the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve in South Africa, tying its on-site exhibits to broader wildlife protection efforts.
Opening Hours and Visiting
Colchester Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas Day, with gates opening at 9:30am. Closing times shift with the seasons and around school holidays, typically running into the late afternoon or early evening, and last admission is usually an hour before close, so it’s worth checking the zoo’s official website for the exact times on the day you plan to visit.
Because hours can change for special events and peak summer dates, visitors are encouraged to confirm the current schedule directly with the Colchester Zoological Society before setting out.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Colchester Zoo FAQs
When did Colchester Zoo open?
Colchester Zoo opened on June 2, 1963, founded by zoologists Frank and Helena Farrar on the Stanway Hall Estate near Colchester, Essex.
How big is Colchester Zoo?
The zoo covers about 60 acres and is home to around 161 species of animals.
Who owns Colchester Zoo?
As of January 2025, Colchester Zoo is owned and operated by the Colchester Zoological Society, a charitable trust, after decades under the Tropeano family.
What are Colchester Zoo’s opening hours?
The zoo opens daily at 9:30am except on Christmas Day. Closing times vary by season and school holidays, so check the official website for the current times before visiting.
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Photo: Martin Pettitt / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.