We have visited Chester Zoo several times, but the new Heart of Africa area gave us a proper reason to return and attempt another full tour. We began in the only sensible way—with a caramel latte—then set off to see what had changed and whether the zoo still deserved its excellent reputation.
Starting with Heart of Africa
Heart of Africa was the big new addition and an area we had not seen before. It significantly changes this part of the zoo, with new landscaping and spaces for African species including the rhinos. Because the zoo is enormous, finding every animal still depends on timing, weather and whether the animals fancy being visible when you arrive.
We learned once again that moving around in the opposite direction to the main crowd can work well. Animals are often more active earlier in the day, so prioritise anything you are desperate to see rather than assuming you can return just before closing.
The zoo is bigger than it looks
A map is essential. Even after previous visits, we still managed to get lost at least once—it would not be one of our videos otherwise. Chester Zoo is spread across a very large site, and trying to cover every enclosure in one day creates a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes matter much more than looking glamorous.
The boat ride gave us a calm break from walking. It is not a thrill ride; it is a peaceful little journey through the landscaped area. We went at a time when animal visibility was limited, but it was still pleasant and gave our feet a rest.
Our surprisingly fancy zoo lunch
We normally associate zoo food with a hot dog or burger that costs too much and leaves you feeling slightly unwell. This time we tried one of the proper restaurants. The building was beautiful, the portions were larger than expected and the food felt freshly made rather than reheated fast food.
Our meal cost around £45 and took roughly 40 minutes to arrive, but the freshness explained the wait. Standard food around the zoo can already cost £7–£10, and even a bottle of Coke outside was around £3, so the restaurant did not feel as unreasonable as the total initially suggested. We even paid less for a drink inside than at one of the outdoor kiosks.
It was still a splurge and not necessary for enjoying the zoo. Bring food if you want to control the budget, or book enough time for the restaurant if a relaxed meal is part of your day.
Is Chester Zoo expensive?
It is not a cheap day once tickets, parking, food and drinks are combined. The value comes from the size of the site, conservation work and the number of exhibits rather than a low entrance price. You can reduce the cost by booking ahead, bringing lunch and carrying refillable drinks.
Our honest verdict
Chester remains one of the strongest full-day attractions in the region. Heart of Africa gives returning visitors something genuinely new, and the zoo is large enough that different visits rarely feel identical. The trade-off is that you may not see everything or every animal in one day.
We had a lovely day, ate far better food than expected and would happily return. Go early, choose priority animals and resist the urge to sprint between every numbered point on the map. The day is much more enjoyable when you accept that the zoo is simply too big to do perfectly.