Chester Zoo Gardens

Plants make Chester Zoo a beautiful place and you will find them used in many different ways. It is almost as famous for its plant life. Some are grown for their colourful flowers, others for their attractive bark, fruits, or leaf shapes. Plants also serve other functions, acting as windbreaks, disguising buildings or structures, or by providing welcome shade in the heat of summer.

The plants are used to create themed gardens and naturalisitic habitats for the animals as well as have traditional ornamental displays. Amongst the gardens you can see are the Andes Garden, Roman Garden, Glorious Grasses, and the 'Spirit of the Jaguar House' which shows plants that reflect Savannah grassland habitats as well as Tropical Rainforest, giving a spectacular display of South American vegetation. As well as the outdoor exhibits there are also indoor plants to admire, such as the Tropical Realm, surrounded by stately palms and Ficus trees, while enjoying the colourful free flying birds. Or walk the Papua New Guinea rainforest, or along a Caribbean beach, in the Islands in Danger exhibit.

Plant conservation in the wild is of vital importance. If we do not conserve the forests, grasslands, wetlands and deserts then the number of species of plants and animals that face extinction will rapidly increase. The number of rare and endangered plant species, both native and foreign, grown in the Zoo will be gradually increased in an effort to conserve these plants in cultivation. The Zoo will also continue to assist in overseas projects to save habitats and protect both flora and fauna.

Other Facilities include:

World-renowned animal exhibits and gardens
Monorail
Waterbus
Gift shops
Fun Ark adventure play area
Ark Restaurant
Café Tsavo
Oakfield House tea rooms/restaurant
Acorn licensed bar
Ice cream/drinks kiosks around site
Toilets
Picnic areas

Chester Zoo offers a fun and stimulating day out for everyone, no matter what age or ability. They have three ways of seeing the animals, on foot, from a higher viewpoint via a Monorail (extra charge for this), and from a lower perspective on the waterbus.

Location: Chester Zoo Gardens, Upton by Chester, Cheshire Grid Reference: SJ411705 Ceremonial County: Cheshire Map Link: StreetMap  Aerial photo: Google Aerial Getting there: Off the A41 two miles north of Chester City centre. Signposted from M53 J12 or M56 J15. Access: Fully accessible with ramps, easy parking, disabled toilets, electric wheelchairs and scooters also available. Large car park on site Website: www.chesterzoo.org Other Useful Websites: Discover Cheshire Gardens    Wiki Email: reception@chesterzoo.org Address: Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester Postcode: CH2 1LH Telephone: 01244 380280 Opening Times: All year except 25th and 26th December from 10am. Closes at different times depending on season - see website for details. Charges: High Season (Apr-Sep) Adults £15.40; Child (3-15) £11.50; Family (2+2) £50; Concessions £14; 2 and under Free. For other season rates see website for details. Additional charges apply for the monorail and waterbus rides. Nearby Locations: Other Location Pages: Cheshire Attractions       Cheshire Gardens Notes: Waterbus only operates at weekends during school term times.

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