Colchester Zoo Relative fame/quality of Colchester Zoo compared to other UK collections

amur leopard

amur leopard

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
[Moderator note: conversation split from Colchester Zoo News 2023 [Colchester Zoo] ]

Great news about the plans, Colchester has long been a zoo that I believe is slightly underrated objectively speaking in the UK zoo scene, though I do understand people who prefer places with perhaps a bit more character. Having said this, these plans are very promising, some lovely additions and will be very excited to return in five years or so when things are a bit further along. Having said that:
cerperal said:
If all goes as planned Colchester will become one of the true greats in Europe, let alone the UK.
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I wouldn't get ahead of ourselves as these are just plans - fairly advanced ones - but the same things were said of talk in Beauval of whale sharks and gerenuks etc. Lots can change in five-ten years, which is the timeframe we're talking in here. Even if these plans do come to fruition, I don't see Colchester being up there with the best in Europe, nor up there with Chester. The true giants of Europe (Prague, the Berlins etc.) have plans of their own which will doubtless massively improve their own offerings respectively.
dillotest0 said:
seeing this nice megalomaniac structure
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Might want to check the definition of megalomaniac - not sure it's what you meant :p.
 
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amur leopard said:
I don't see Colchester being up there with the best in Europe, nor up there with Chester. The true giants of Europe (Prague, the Berlins etc.) have plans of their own which will doubtless massively improve their own offerings respectively.
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I doubt it will be on par with Chester, Berlin, Prague, Vienna etc but three of those are capitals. Chester will always be the best zoo in the UK as far as I can see, but Colchester will probably end up with better enclosures, a finer African collection (even with Grasslands) and more modern facilities. This can (and will) change, of course, but let's not meet over optimism with the opposite. Berlin has nowhere near as big developments occuring in the future - once the rhino house opens, it's mainly just the big cat extensions and various enclosure rearranging to happen. Once the African section of the Tierpark is finished, it remains to be seen whether the plans for the Americas will go ahead.

Colchester will never match these zoos with their variety, history, location etc. But I do think that it will hopefully make up for this with modern enclosures and the general experience.

I dunno, I fully expect to be wrong. And I'm probably biased because these are all species that I love. And the plans only came out yesterday.

In fact the more I think about it the more I may have perhaps overused hyperbole.
 
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cerperal said:
Adding okapis and gorillas is nowhere near as big a leap as claiming to get whale sharks, or even komodo dragons as in Berlin Tierpark. For a major rebuild from my perspective this is a realistic and achievable one
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If you've been following Beauval, I'd suggest gerenuks really weren't that much of a leap - either way, my point was mostly tongue-in-cheek with regards to whale sharks but the underlying truth remains that plans are, after all, just plans and things might not pan out as shown above, much as I and everyone else here I'd assume would.
cerperal said:
Chester will always be the best zoo in the UK as far as I can see, but Colchester will probably end up with better enclosures,
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I wouldn't go there - whether or not Colchester makes these developments, that still leaves a good portion as the zoo as it is. If we're looking purely at what Colchester has right now versus what Chester has for the same (or very comparable species), it doesn't hold a candle to its northerly neighbour I'm afraid. Chester has far superior exhibits in pretty much every domain that they have in common for now, and I doubt that will change. While Chester isn't my favourite zoo by any stretch of the imagination, it is very consistent in the high quality of its enclosures.
cerperal said:
Berlin has nowhere near as big developments occuring in the future - once the rhino house opens, it's mainly just the big cat extensions and various enclosure rearranging to happen. Once the African section of the Tierpark is finished, it remains to be seen whether the plans for the Americas will go ahead.
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I wouldn't agree. Looking at the zoo, a 14,000 sqm rhino, warty pig and tapir area, 3,000 sqm worth of new big cat outdoor exhibits, 7,000 sqm gorilla complex, refurbishments of both the aquarium and primate buildings (both pretty large undertakings), brand new Okapi exhibits (2100 sqm) and a 7000 sqm bear and wolf area. The Tierpark is no slacker either but I won't get into it for fear of derailing the thread. Either way, big developments in a period that is very likely considerably shorter than that taken to complete Colchester's proposals. But just to be clear, this is absolutely understandable for so many reasons - no one expects Colchester to have the same output as these juggernauts, but that is quite my point; it isn't on par with these sorts of zoos and, much as I'd like to have a Prague or Berlin a short train ride away, won't be even after this is all wrapped up.

I am however very much looking forward to the developments, as Colchester is a zoo I really like and it has a lot going for it - can't wait to see what they come up with when it gets closer to the time :).
 
amur leopard said:
If you've been following Beauval, I'd suggest gerenuks really weren't that much of a leap - either way, my point was mostly tongue-in-cheek with regards to whale sharks but the underlying truth remains that plans are, after all, just plans and things might not pan out as shown above, much as I and everyone else here I'd assume would.


I wouldn't go there - whether or not Colchester makes these developments, that still leaves a good portion as the zoo as it is. If we're looking purely at what Colchester has right now versus what Chester has for the same (or very comparable species), it doesn't hold a candle to its northerly neighbour I'm afraid. Chester has far superior exhibits in pretty much every domain that they have in common for now, and I doubt that will change. While Chester isn't my favourite zoo by any stretch of the imagination, it is very consistent in the high quality of its enclosures.


I wouldn't agree. Looking at the zoo, a 14,000 sqm rhino, warty pig and tapir area, 3,000 sqm worth of new big cat outdoor exhibits, 7,000 sqm gorilla complex, refurbishments of both the aquarium and primate buildings (both pretty large undertakings), brand new Okapi exhibits (2100 sqm) and a 7000 sqm bear and wolf area. The Tierpark is no slacker either but I won't get into it for fear of derailing the thread. Either way, big developments in a period that is very likely considerably shorter than that taken to complete Colchester's proposals. But just to be clear, this is absolutely understandable for so many reasons - no one expects Colchester to have the same output as these juggernauts, but that is quite my point; it isn't on par with these sorts of zoos and, much as I'd like to have a Prague or Berlin a short train ride away, won't be even after this is all wrapped up.

I am however very much looking forward to the developments, as Colchester is a zoo I really like and it has a lot going for it - can't wait to see what they come up with when it gets closer to the time :).
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I agree with the grand majority of what you've said, and I would have perhaps explained myself more but I also feared derailing the thread. Though I think you're misrepresenting the Berlin developments as they are less developments and more much-needed upgrades for existing species (especially the cats and okapi) agree that Colchester isn't going to be comparable in any state to the others we've mentioned.

However I firmly believe that regardless of if the charity follows through with their plans fully it will end up in a collection that will stand out. They state in the initial release they will upgrade the existing exhibits as well, likely ending up with a very different looking zoo. Either way I look forward to seeing what happens too - no doubt we'll get more news closer the time.
 
dillotest0 said:
I've never been to Colchester myself .. I think mainly because there wasn't very much incentive really to go. Though, seeing this nice megalomaniac structure they intend, I think maybe I will pay a visit some time in the future ...
And nice to hear also on the new Society!
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Said this before but will repeat it, there is no other zoo in the UK that can convincingly claim to be the 2nd best to Chester ! There are various zoochat favourites like Hamerton, Exmoor, Cotswold etc but send a member of the public to Colchester and it will beat anywhere bar possibly Chester (and I know some who rate Colchester better!)
 
pipaluk said:
Said this before but will repeat it, there is no other zoo in the UK that can convincingly claim to be the 2nd best to Chester ! There are various zoochat favourites like Hamerton, Exmoor, Cotswold etc but send a member of the public to Colchester and it will beat anywhere bar possibly Chester (and I know some who rate Colchester better!)
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Whilst I don’t dislike Colchester, I would have said members of the public would probably prefer Whipsnade, Yorkshire and possibly Longleat over Colchester.

Colchester has no geographical rivals where they are, same as Yorkshire and possibly Longleat.

One of my pals has kids, he is not a zoo person but goes to WMSP as his kids like to feed the giraffes, stay in the car and then play around the dinosaurs.
He went on holiday to Southend last summer and took the kids to Colchester and he told me they got bored after an hour or so and wanted to go back to Southend.

I think what zoo enthusiasts look for in a zoo is very different to families and general public.
They want places they can sit down, places where kids can bomb about and tire themselves out. Strange as it may sound, the animals are usually not even the main reason they go!

I would certainly not label Colchester the 2nd best, and I think most general public prefer safari parks, and at a push would opt for Yorkshire as there is lot more things to do family wise for them.

But as I would say, it all depends on your geographical location.

Animal lovers prefer Howletts and Port Lympne to Wingham, yet families go in their droves to Wingham, for the massive play areas and the fact is flat and everything is kind of all in one place.
 
Alwaysevergreen said:
Whilst I don’t dislike Colchester, I would have said members of the public would probably prefer Whipsnade, Yorkshire and possibly Longleat over Colchester.

Colchester has no geographical rivals where they are, same as Yorkshire and possibly Longleat.

One of my pals has kids, he is not a zoo person but goes to WMSP as his kids like to feed the giraffes, stay in the car and then play around the dinosaurs.
He went on holiday to Southend last summer and took the kids to Colchester and he told me they got bored after an hour or so and wanted to go back to Southend.

I think what zoo enthusiasts look for in a zoo is very different to families and general public.
They want places they can sit down, places where kids can bomb about and tire themselves out. Strange as it may sound, the animals are usually not even the main reason they go!

I would certainly not label Colchester the 2nd best, and I think most general public prefer safari parks, and at a push would opt for Yorkshire as there is lot more things to do family wise for them.

But as I would say, it all depends on your geographical location.

Animal lovers prefer Howletts and Port Lympne to Wingham, yet families go in their droves to Wingham, for the massive play areas and the fact is flat and everything is kind of all in one place.
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I would not dispute Whipsnade or Yorkshire as being good zoos or challenging for 2nd best, but Colchester probably has at least as many if not more geographical rivals than the other 3. Longleat is more of theme park with theme park prices!
 
pipaluk said:
I would not dispute Whipsnade or Yorkshire as being good zoos or challenging for 2nd best, but Colchester probably has at least as many if not more geographical rivals than the other 3. Longleat is more of theme park with theme park prices!
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How is Longleat a Theme Park? It costs £27 to visit Colchester Zoo for an adult. Longleat is £40. Yes there is £13 difference, but I would say there is a lot more to do at Longleat than Colchester.
 
pipaluk said:
I would not dispute Whipsnade or Yorkshire as being good zoos or challenging for 2nd best, but Colchester probably has at least as many if not more geographical rivals than the other 3. Longleat is more of theme park with theme park prices!
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Also Colchester's rivals are vastly smaller places. Within an hour of Colchester there is barely one large zoo.

Within an hour from Yorkshire, you have Chester. Whipsnade within an hour you have Paradise, London etc.
 
Alwaysevergreen said:
I think most general public prefer safari parks
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On the contrary; safari parks had their hayday in the 1970s and there have been no new ones since. In fact safari parks in recent years seem to have made efforts to develop the walk-around areas, almost as acknowledgement that sitting in a traffic jam isn't many people's idea of a fun day out.
 
Alwaysevergreen said:
Also Colchester's rivals are vastly smaller places. Within an hour of Colchester there is barely one large zoo.

Within an hour from Yorkshire, you have Chester. Whipsnade within an hour you have Paradise, London etc.
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London would be as much a rival to Colchester as it is to Whipsnade, but obviously would depend where you lived. Nobody living in Luton or Colchester is likely to choose to go to London but it may be a choice for someone living roughly half way between. Anyway this is moving further off topic so best leave it for now!
 
pipaluk said:
London would be as much a rival to Colchester as it is to Whipsnade, but obviously would depend where you lived. Nobody living in Luton or Colchester is likely to choose to go to London but it may be a choice for someone living roughly half way between. Anyway this is moving further off topic so best leave it for now!
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Fair enough, I just found what you said to be a rather sweeping statement without evidence or fact. You acclaimed no other zoo could claim to be 2nd best to Chester.
I was simply dispute this, as there are many larger zoos in differing geographical locations equal if not bigger than Colchester, have similar footfall.

I actually reckon if you randomly asked 100 members of the general public to name 3 zoos in the UK, I would hazard Chester would be said in the majority. I would be surprised if Colchester was given in anymore than 10/20.
 
Alwaysevergreen said:
I actually reckon if you randomly asked 100 members of the general public to name 3 zoos in the UK, I would hazard Chester would be said in the majority. I would be surprised if Colchester was given in anymore than 10/20.
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I agree with what you're saying but I do think that this comes down more to publicity than anything else. The famous zoos and wildlife collections in the UK tend to have well known history, popular shows, or the joy of being in central London. Colchester doesn't really have any of that, and I don't think that has any impact on its quality. My local local zoo is Beale, which nobody's heard of, and it's brilliant.

That does raise an interesting question perhaps for the general thread - what are the 3 best known zoos in the UK?
 
pipaluk said:
Said this before but will repeat it, there is no other zoo in the UK that can convincingly claim to be the 2nd best to Chester ! There are various zoochat favourites like Hamerton, Exmoor, Cotswold etc but send a member of the public to Colchester and it will beat anywhere bar possibly Chester (and I know some who rate Colchester better!)
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As a zoo, as in the overall experience of a zoo, not a 'zoo-nerd zoo' but just a general public zoo with ABC animals, decent exhibits, plenty to see, food/drink/refreshments, play areas etc etc. Then I agree, I would rank Colchester as the second best zoo in UK. Chester first of course. Another contender for 2nd place would be Edinburgh, maybe? but I have not been there in 15 years.

I would not say Colchester is my second favourite, but I think it is a great all round zoo for 'normal people'. I struggle to think of any other zoo that does all of these things to a decent standard AND is a full day out, which is what a zoo should be. Though that being said I have not been to Longleat, or YWP.

cerperal said:
what are the 3 best known zoos in the UK?
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London, Chester and then possibly Whipsnade? Twycross? Paignton? Marwell? Edinburgh?
 
ZooAtHome said:
As a zoo, as in the overall experience of a zoo, not a 'zoo-nerd zoo' but just a general public zoo with ABC animals, decent exhibits, plenty to see, food/drink/refreshments, play areas etc etc. Then I agree, I would rank Colchester as the second best zoo in UK. Chester first of course. Another contender for 2nd place would be Edinburgh, maybe? but I have not been there in 15 years.

I would not say Colchester is my second favourite, but I think it is a great all round zoo for 'normal people'. I struggle to think of any other zoo that does all of these things to a decent standard AND is a full day out, which is what a zoo should be. Though that being said I have not been to Longleat, or YWP.

London, Chester and then possibly Whipsnade? Twycross? Paignton? Marwell? Edinburgh?
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I agree with a lot of your points, with the exception of decent exhibits. Whilst some are decent for sure, some are also borderline adequate.

Also I don't agree on catering wise, it is very expensive and limited choice for my liking.

I would certainly have Edinburgh, Yorkshire, Whipsnade, Marwell and possibly even Paignton ahead of Colchester myself.

As for the three best known, Chester, London, Yorkshire would be my guess.
 
Fair enough, opinions welcome :) Though I would say on average Colchester's exhibits are ok to good across the board, whereas other zoos have excellent exhibits next to terrible ones.

Re catering, wasn't so much choice or price but availability. There's stuff everywhere!

It wouldn't feature in my top 5 list of favourites either! I was merely speaking objectively.

Objectively if we were to rank UK zoos as a whole I think Colchester is up there, along with the ones you mention.

I'll be honest I do not think Yorkshire would be on the list of well-known zoos, it's less than 20 years old. I have visited Doncaster at least twice a year every year for over 10 years, around 15 I think, and I think only heard of it in 2018! :oops:
 
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London and Chester are obviously part of that top three most well known... As for the third there is a few contenders.

Whipsnade is ZSL's second site, Jersey has a rich history in conservation, Longleat was the original safari park and is still very popular, Monkey World had quite a famous TV presence and Colchester and Bristol also had their fair share of TV time in the past. Edinburgh is also up there because of the pandas and also being the main zoo in Scotland....

It's an interesting question with no real answer! :p
 
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