Chester Zoo One Day Itinerary Help

OstrichMania

OstrichMania

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Me and my family are going on a holiday to Chester for a few days, including Chester Zoo. I won't be taking photos or doing a species list, since this may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I really just want to enjoy it without extra hassle.

Since we want to go to other places in Chester (and because of the prices :mad:), we're only going to do one day at the zoo. Does anyone have any ideas for an itinerary that would allow us to see most if not all of the zoo in one day?
 
A tough question, Chester is so large that you are bound to miss out somewhere. I've never used the zoo's app, because I know my way around so well: but I would recommend that you download the latest version (there were some problems with the previous one). Then I would study it with a mental list of the animals that are your top priorities, for example if you really want to see the sifakas, you need to be able to have a second chance in case they don't show the first time. For that reason I would never recommend an inflexible itinerary, but here are some suggestions.
Try to arrive early; if you are driving aim to be at the zoo by 9.40. There is usually a long line of cars being directed into the car park and after parking it will take you a few minutes to get through the entrance formalities. If you can actually get into the zoo before 10am, you can wait between the elephant paddock and the Bembe Kitchen until they drop the rope across the path to let visitors into the zoo proper. If you are really early, you can get a coffee while you wait ;)
I would recommend that you should first turn left past the elephants and head for the Realm of the Red Ape (RotRA) before it gets busy and a queue builds up, you'll get better views of the animals too. Then you can choose between the Aquarium and the flamingos in the new South American aviary and see the penguins and the giant otters too. I would certainly go through Dragons in Danger and the Madagascar area in the morning too - the lemurs tend to take a siesta around noon (remember that you must wear a facemask if you go in the lemur walk-through).
I would allow plenty of time for Islands, there is so much to see there that you can't see anywhere else in the UK. I would suggest that you follow the proper one-way system, entering between the bongos and the sitatunga. The Lazy River boat ride is a nice relaxing extra, but there can be a long queue - ask the guide at the entrance before you decide.
I would leave the Tropical Realm until later in the afternoon, when it will be quieter and you are likely to get a good view of the tuatara. Don't forget to exit past aye-ayes and then you can go on to the jaguars.
Enjoy your day :)
 
gentle lemur said:
A tough question, Chester is so large that you are bound to miss out somewhere. I've never used the zoo's app, because I know my way around so well: but I would recommend that you download the latest version (there were some problems with the previous one). Then I would study it with a mental list of the animals that are your top priorities, for example if you really want to see the sifakas, you need to be able to have a second chance in case they don't show the first time. For that reason I would never recommend an inflexible itinerary, but here are some suggestions.
Try to arrive early; if you are driving aim to be at the zoo by 9.40. There is usually a long line of cars being directed into the car park and after parking it will take you a few minutes to get through the entrance formalities. If you can actually get into the zoo before 10am, you can wait between the elephant paddock and the Bembe Kitchen until they drop the rope across the path to let visitors into the zoo proper. If you are really early, you can get a coffee while you wait ;)
I would recommend that you should first turn left past the elephants and head for the Realm of the Red Ape (RotRA) before it gets busy and a queue builds up, you'll get better views of the animals too. Then you can choose between the Aquarium and the flamingos in the new South American aviary and see the penguins and the giant otters too. I would certainly go through Dragons in Danger and the Madagascar area in the morning too - the lemurs tend to take a siesta around noon (remember that you must wear a facemask if you go in the lemur walk-through).
I would allow plenty of time for Islands, there is so much to see there that you can't see anywhere else in the UK. I would suggest that you follow the proper one-way system, entering between the bongos and the sitatunga. The Lazy River boat ride is a nice relaxing extra, but there can be a long queue - ask the guide at the entrance before you decide.
I would leave the Tropical Realm until later in the afternoon, when it will be quieter and you are likely to get a good view of the tuatara. Don't forget to exit past aye-ayes and then you can go on to the jaguars.
Enjoy your day :)
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Thanks so much for this, I will probably use this as this covers most of the zoo. Just a few questions.

gentle lemur said:
Then you can choose between the Aquarium and the flamingos in the new South American aviary
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Does this mean I have to choose between them, or would I have time to see one and then the other afterwards?

Plus, would this skip over things like having lunch at a restaurant or exploring the gardens?
 
OstrichMania said:
Does this mean I have to choose between them, or would I have time to see one and then the other afterwards?
Plus, would this skip over things like having lunch at a restaurant or exploring the gardens?
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You will have time to see most of the zoo; you can certainly see both the Aquarium and the flamingos, but when you leave RotRA you will have to choose which way to turn. I don't think it's sensible to pre-plan an exact itinerary at a place like Chester because there are so many unpredictable factors - the people you are with, the weather, animals that are asleep, animals that are doing interesting things and even what you had for breakfast :)
You will need time for lunch, but will you want a hot dog and an ice cream or a sit-down meal in The Oakfield? There are plenty of other options too, of course. You will have to skip some things, perhaps the gardens and the Plant Project, or the Butterfly Journey and the lions, or the recycling displays near The Oakfield or indeed all of the above. Obviously in my previous post I included all the things I wouldn't want to miss, which is why I suggested that you ought to decide what you don't want to miss before you set off.
 
gentle lemur said:
You will have time to see most of the zoo; you can certainly see both the Aquarium and the flamingos, but when you leave RotRA you will have to choose which way to turn. I don't think it's sensible to pre-plan an exact itinerary at a place like Chester because there are so many unpredictable factors - the people you are with, the weather, animals that are asleep, animals that are doing interesting things and even what you had for breakfast :)
You will need time for lunch, but will you want a hot dog and an ice cream or a sit-down meal in The Oakfield? There are plenty of other options too, of course. You will have to skip some things, perhaps the gardens and the Plant Project, or the Butterfly Journey and the lions, or the recycling displays near The Oakfield or indeed all of the above. Obviously in my previous post I included all the things I wouldn't want to miss, which is why I suggested that you ought to decide what you don't want to miss before you set off.
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Alright, thanks for clarifying. Luckily we have very similar preferences, so I don't really mind skipping what you said to skip. I'll use your suggestion as I think that'll be what my family also wants to see most. The plan you had is also quite flexible, so thanks for that. Really appreciate the help.
 
Great advice from GL there, its exactly how I would approach it too.

All I would add is don't be too daunted as to whether you have enough time. Chester can be done in a day without a doubt.

Its busy at this time of year - if you're late arriving, or spend a long time in queues, then it would put you under pressure, but if you make a day of it and can take some refreshments then you'll do it comfortably. And that's working in time to recover your no-shows and favourites.

And yes its big, but its flat, and fairly easy navigation. I hope you and your family enjoy it!
 
NigeW said:
Great advice from GL there, its exactly how I would approach it too.

All I would add is don't be too daunted as to whether you have enough time. Chester can be done in a day without a doubt.

Its busy at this time of year - if you're late arriving, or spend a long time in queues, then it would put you under pressure, but if you make a day of it and can take some refreshments then you'll do it comfortably. And that's working in time to recover your no-shows and favourites.

And yes its big, but its flat, and fairly easy navigation. I hope you and your family enjoy it!
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Alright, thanks for the advice. Just a quick question, in that case, would it be better to go to the other entrance or the main entrance as the zoo opens?
 
OstrichMania said:
Since we want to go to other places in Chester (and because of the prices :mad:), we're only going to do one day at the zoo. Does anyone have any ideas for an itinerary that would allow us to see most if not all of the zoo in one day?
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I wonder if Chester Zoo have ever thought about the possibility of a 2 day zoo pass (two consecutive days only of course!) given the size of the place and that one day is rushing too much for many people to see it all. Making the price x 1.5 (or similar) seems fair to me for a two day pass....
 
Pootle said:
I wonder if Chester Zoo have ever thought about the possibility of a 2 day zoo pass (two consecutive days only of course!) given the size of the place and that one day is rushing too much for many people to see it all. Making the price x 1.5 (or similar) seems fair to me for a two day pass....
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Didn't they announced one recently?

Actually, it was with another company, but I can't find the details now and don't know how genuine it was as I didn't look at it properly
 
This route I made should help, adapted from an old route in the gallery :)E9A8C272-503F-4881-A1D4-2C4BC3E62105.jpeg E9A8C272-503F-4881-A1D4-2C4BC3E62105.jpeg
 

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NigeW said:
All I would add is don't be too daunted as to whether you have enough time. Chester can be done in a day without a doubt.
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Yes - Chester is by no means un-one-day-able, but I agree taking snacks is the way to go if you can - or if not, try to buy what you can eat on the hoof. And definitely have an idea of any personal 'must-sees' in case you do find yourself pushed for time later and want to skip ahead to make sure you hit them.

I usually go anticlockwise around the west side of the zoo (so broadly Tsavo->Islands->Spec Bears/Bats->Monkeys) as my first part of the day as that area being mostly larger paddocks means you cover a big chunk of the zoo's area relatively quickly - once you're back by the elephants you've a much more manageable-feeling area to cover in the afternoon and you've done the bits furthest from the entrance (basically Islands) so you won't end up stuck without time to reach them. :)
 
gentle lemur said:
There is only one entrance for ordinary visitors.
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Ah, alright. I'm guessing this post made by @TeaLovingDave is outdated then?
TeaLovingDave said:
However, if you want to avoid the crowds at the main entrance there *is* another option - the pedestrian entrance on Caughall Road is a shade over a mile - 25 minutes walking time - on foot from Bache railway station, and will allow you access to areas of the zoo which will be peaceful and quiet in the hour or so following opening, as the bulk of the public will not reach these areas for some time! This, incidentally, is my preferred route which I have taken every time I have visited since learning of it.
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Alright, I think i'm going to use @pangolin12's route, as we can also print it out for convenience. It also allows us to see basically everything. Just to be clear @pangolin12, is the black-markered route the last bit as you exit or the first bit as you enter?
 
OstrichMania said:
Alright, I think i'm going to use @pangolin12's route, as we can also print it out for convenience. It also allows us to see basically everything. Just to be clear @pangolin12, is the black-markered route the last bit as you exit or the first bit as you enter?
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First, I forgot to mention that there is a small key to the right of the map showing which order the colours go in:)
 
OstrichMania said:
Ah, alright. I'm guessing this post made by @TeaLovingDave is outdated then?
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Indeed - that entrance has been closed for several years now, and in fact the entire corner of the zoo it led into has now been closed off from the public too, as of the last year or so.
 
OstrichMania said:
Oh and also, does this map also work according to any possible restrictions they may have because of coronavirus (e.g. one-way systems)?
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Afaik yes, if nothing has changed since December then definitely as it worked then, glad I could help!:)
 
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