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About
Enjoy a wild adventure at the No. 1 Outdoor Activity in Essex, Colchester Zoological Society!
Escape to the vast plains of Africa or step into the humid habitat of Asia! With over 150 species to see across 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, your exploration will provide a full day of ‘edutainment’.
Get closer to nature at CZS with a whole host of fun activities. Hand feed the colourful lorikeets a sweet nectar treat, get hands on at the award-winning Exploratorium, enjoy a trip on the Lost Madagascar Express Road Train to rest your feet, or watch your little one release their wild side at the Jungle Tumble soft play! Be sure to stop by one of the many animal encounters to find out more about your favourite species and don’t forget to journey through Dinosaur Realm to discover more about the prehistoric creatures of the past, PLUS so much more!
Your adventure at Essex’s top conservation Zoo, CZS, isn’t just a great day out for all ages, but also helps to care for wildlife and wild places worldwide, protecting all creatures great and small, from the towering giraffe to the crawling insects!
Book Tickets
Guide Prices
Visit our website for more details: https://www.colchester-zoo.com/plan-your-visit/tickets/
Events
Saturday, 27th June 2026 - Saturday, 27th June 2026
Dino Discovery DayDiscover extinct species from millions of years ago, from gigantic carnivores to the graceful herbivores, as well as the chance to meet and greet our dinosaur friends.- more info
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled access - Colchester Zoological Society is situated in naturally hilly terrain, which we are understandably unable to level out. While we strive to make our site as accessible as possible, we are limited by the natural landscape and can only work with the existing terrain. To assist guests with limited mobility, we have identified and highlighted certain inclines to help you plan your route more easily.
- Mobility Scooter Hire
- Wheelchairs available - We have a facility to hire a limited number of manual wheelchairs and electric scooters inside the zoo grounds next to the zoo main entrance. Please contact us at least 24hrs in advance if you would like to reserve one for your visit.
Catering
- On-site catering - Our main food and drink outlet, Penguini’s Restaurant, and Meerkat Hangout are both open every day from 9:30am. Gourmet Sausage and The Waterhole are also open daily from 10:30am. Our other food outlets may be closed on weekdays and in certain seasons, so please check with our Guest Services team as you enter the zoo for all available outlets on the day of your visit. All available outlets are subject to change and supply chains, and may close due to extreme weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances without prior notice.
- On-site light refreshments
- Picnic site - Colchester Zoo has a number picnic benches and tables throughout the zoo for you to use.
Groups
- Coach parking
Suitability
- School Trips
Target Markets
- Coach parties accepted
Map & Directions
Road Directions
How to get here by Car:
Colchester Zoological Society (CZS) is located just south of Colchester. Take the A1124 exit (Junction 26) off the main A12 following the brown elephant signs and using the new Stanway Western Bypass. CZS is situated on Maldon Road in Stanway.
From the M25: About 40 minutes from Junction 28 of the M25 to reach the A12
From Southend: About 1 hour’s journey, 40 miles using A127 and A130 to reach the A12
From Hertfordshire: About 1 hour’s journey – 50 miles using A414 or A120 to reach the A12
From Stansted Airport: About 50 mins journey, 30 miles using A120 to reach the A12.
Car parking is free and disabled car parking spaces are available close to the zoo entrance. NB Blue badges must be displayed to use the disabled parking area.
Cyclists:
Please note that there are cycle racks provided at the top of the car parks, close to the Zoo entrance.
Public Transport Directions
Train:
Colchester North Train Station can be reached by Liverpool Street services from London within in an hour or is easily reached along the Lowestoft or Norwich networks to Ipswich and then on to Colchester. CZS is just 10 minutes by taxi or can be reached by bus. See details below.
Bus:
Main Bus Services All bus services to Colchester Bus Station regularly connect with the number 75 for Maldon or Tiptree and Colchester Zoological Society (CZS).
NORTH STATION TO CZS After alighting from the Train, leave via the exit on platform 4, turn left and walk to the main road at the bottom. On your right are some traffic lights, which you should use to cross to the layby bus stop on the opposite side of the road. Use service numbers 63 or 84 and alight in the main bus station (approx 10 minute journey), ask the driver if you are unsure, you will then need to catch the number 75 bus service to CZS. You can also travel to the town centre via other services such as the number 8 or 61, you will then have a short walk to the bus station to travel on to CZS on the number 75.
