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Colchester Zoo

Colchester Zoo is now one of the finest Zoos in Europe due to a constant programme of development and recently won the coveted “Large Visitor Attraction of the Year” Award from the East of England Tourist Board.  With over 250 species to see, set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, Colchester Zoo is well worth a visit.

There is so much to see and do at Colchester Zoo, which provides fun for all the family. You can see sea lions swimming above your heads at ‘Playa Patagonia’, and see penguins swimming at Penguin Shores. You can watch young elephants Kito and Jambo playing together with the other elephants at Spirit of Africa or see giraffes, zebras, rhinos, ostriches together at Kingdom of the Wild. Then there’s Colchester Zoo’s Dragons of Komodo which houses the two Komodo Dragons.  There’s some of the rarest big cats in the world including Amur tigers at Tiger Taiga and Amur leopards at Leopard Ark.

You can get closer to a whole range of animals during your visit including the unique chance to help feed the elephants and giraffes yourself. You can also feed a variety of farmyard animals, including goats, pigs, sheep and ponies. For the brave there is also the chance to touch a creepy crawly such as a giant African land snail or touch a snake in one of many daily displays.


Colchester Zoo is also dedicated to protecting and conserving animals in the wild all over the world. Action for the Wild, the zoo’s charity, donates many thousands of pounds each year to projects for all kinds of animals, including penguins, tigers, lemurs and cheetahs. In the last 3 years, over £100,000 has been raised to help projects such as these.

So, with over 30 daily displays, a soft play area – Kalahari Capers, 4 adventure play areas, two road trains and more, Colchester Zoo is a great day out for everyone. Colchester Zoo is open from 9.30 every day except Christmas Day!