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How to get to Chester Zoo by train
Chester Zoo is one of the most visited attractions in the North of England, and getting there is easy, whether you're travelling from Manchester, Liverpool or much further afield. With multiple options for travel including train, car and even walking and cycling routes, you’re spoilt for choice when planning your visit.
Of course, rail is an excellent way to get to Chester Zoo as the zoo is situated less than twenty minutes from two nearby train stations - Bache and Chester. If you plan to travel by train, you’ll find Avanti West Coast can travel to Chester Station from all across the UK. If you'd prefer to travel to Bache station in the north of Chester, you will likely need to change onto a Merseyrail service at the station.
Once you arrive at Chester train station, you can walk to the zoo in around 30 minutes, hop in a taxi or jump on the regular zoo bus at the station from bus stop ‘S6’. This bus regularly transports passengers directly to the main entrance, making it an ultra-convenient option straight from the station. If you’ve decided to get off at Bache train station, your options are much the same, with regular buses, taxis and walking routes available.
Where is Chester Zoo?
As the name suggests, the zoo is located on the outskirts of the northwest city, Chester, in a suburb called Upton-by-Chester. It’s situated around two miles from Chester city centre, occupying a prime location for visitors travelling by rail and road. It's also close to Liverpool, Manchester and North Wales, making it a great option for a day out when visiting these places and, of course, for the millions of people who live in the area.
What to do at Chester Zoo?
If you’re planning to visit Chester Zoo, you might be surprised to learn that there is much more to do here than simply wandering around the animal enclosures and exhibits. With a strong conservation message and internationally recognised environmental protection mission, as well as over 20,000 animals, it’s clear to see why it’s one of the UK’s most popular destinations.
Taking a stroll around the park will fill a day for sure, but to make it more fun, why not attend some of the regular animal talks and learn more about your favourite animals? If you’ve got the little ones in tow, you’ll be pleased to find fun play areas, learning hubs, nature experiences and an abundance of dining options to suit every appetite.
June’s Food Court is the perfect place for lunch or an afternoon snack, with family-friendly classic dishes like burgers, pizza and fish & chips all available. Plus, there’s a selection of ice creams and sweet treats to keep their energy up for the rest of your trip.
If you’re looking for even more adventure, you could always book one of the attraction’s experience days. Whether you choose to get up close with a giraffe at the meet and greet, dine alongside penguins or explore outside of regular hours as the keepers prepare for the day ahead, there’s an experience to suit everyone.
The zoo also runs several seasonal events and activities throughout the year, including their ‘Lanterns’ festival which is held every November and December. Plus, if you're visiting Chester for more than a day, why not spend some time at Cheshire Oaks designer outlet, located just minutes away?
About Chester Zoo
We know that the animal lovers will have hundreds of facts about their favourite animals ready to use on their trip to the zoo, so we thought we'd put together some facts about the zoo itself. Here are our favourite facts about Chester Zoo:
- Chester Zoo is the most visited zoo in the UK, welcoming over 2 million guests every year.
- The initial 9-acre zoo was opened in 1931 by George Mottershead and family.
- A polar bear was one of the first animals to be kept there.
- Over 20,000 animals live at Chester Zoo, comprising of more than 500 different species.
- The zoo occupies over 128 acres of zoological gardens.
- In 2017, TripAdvisor named the zoo the third best in the world.
- Chester Zoo was the first in the UK to successfully breed Asian elephants in captivity.
- Chester Zoo now has its own Channel 4 TV programme 'The Secret Life of the Zoo'. It first aired in 2016 and documents animal behaviours and their relationships with the keepers.
Ways to save on your train ticket to Chester Zoo
Days out with the kids aren't always purse-friendly, but luckily, you can save on your trail travel when visiting Chester via Avanti West Coast.
If you're looking for ways to save on your train tickets, we would always recommend booking your travel in advance if you can. This might also be a good idea if you're looking to book attraction tickets too so you can get the best price for every part of your day out.
Another great way to save is travelling off-peak. And, if there are a few of you travelling altogether you could even buy a group travel ticket or a family ticket.
For frequent train passengers, using your Railcard is essential when it comes to booking your tickets. If you don’t already have a travel card, it might be worth considering one if you plan to frequently travel via rail, with a variety of different types and discounts available for all off-peak travel. The ‘Family and Friends Railcard’ could be particularly beneficial, offering savings of 60% on kids’ fares and a third on adult fares, as well as no restrictions on usage.
Get the app
When travelling to Chester Zoo by railway, the Avanti West Coast app is an essential travel companion. You can use the app for everything from booking your tickets and staying up to date with the latest travel information to checking journey times and gathering route information. You can even store your tickets on the app, meaning you no longer need to worry about losing paper tickets. Best of all, the app enables you to book your travel tickets with no booking fees, which can also make it a cheaper option when compared to third-party websites like Trainline.
