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During your visit to Colchester Zoo, you will see many species from around the world and can learn more about them at our fantastic daily encounters, giving you the chance to see our animals being fed, watch a training session or perhaps just quiz their keepers!
As you navigate your way around Colchester Zoo you’ll visit many different habitats, from the humid home of our Komodo Dragons to our very own Africa plain, Kingdom of the Wild, home to white rhino, giraffes, ostrich, zebra and kudu.
You can also take part in some fantastic activities with the opportunity to hand feed our elephants and giraffes at daily public feeding sessions, and walk through our 24m tunnel as sealions swim overhead.
We also have many fantastic undercover areas, so you can stay warm and dry on even the wettest of days with our ‘Bad Weather’ map. Stop by the Orangutan Forest and see if you can hang for as long as an orangutan, feed our rainbow lorikeets in their tropical walkthrough aviary, Australian Rainbows. PLUS you can also walkthrough Butterfly Glade, home to a number of tropical plants and butterflies, or Worlds Apart, the perfect place to warm up on a chilly day!
With so much to see and do, including a full calendar of events you may find you want to return throughout the year, Colchester Zoo’s Gold Pass allows you to do just that with unlimited visits for 12 months.
For more information visit www.colchesterzoo.org and follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Opening details
Closing times vary according to season - please check website for further details.
Prices
Book tickets online via the Colchester Zoo website to receive a discount on entry prices.
Please note that prices vary according to season and is best to check the Colchester Zoo website for up to date prices prior to your visit.
Events at this Venue
date | event |
---|---|
Sat 14 Dec | Christmas Starlight Night |
Sat 14 - Tue 24 Dec | Magic Of Christmas |
Sat 21 Dec | Christmas Starlight Night |
Sun 22 Dec | Christmas Starlight Night |
Address
Maldon Road,
Stanway,
Colchester,
Essex,
CO3 0SL
Directions
Map reference: TL 953221 Lat: 51.86328 Long: 0.83501
How to get here by Car:
Colchester Zoo 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.
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.
Train:
Colchester Main Train Station can be reached from 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. Colchester Zoo is just 10 minutes by taxi or can be reached by bus.
Bus:
All bus services to Colchester Bus Station regularly connect with the number 75 for Maldon or Tiptree and Colchester Zoo.
Please click here to view details of the number 75 bus timetable on the FirstGroup website.
Parking: free
Accessible by Public Transport: 4 miles from Colchester North station
Facilities
Baby changing facilities
Cash Point
Coach parties accepted
Credit cards accepted (no fee)
Disabled toilets
Education/study area
Facilities for groups
Facilities for educational visits
Gift shop
On-site catering
On-site light refreshments
Picnic site
Public toilets
Pushchairs available
Regional Tourist Board Member
Telephone (public)
Welcome Host
Wheelchairs available
Accepts groups
Facilities for corporate hospitality
Children welcome
Disabled access
Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
Facilities for hearing impaired
Self-Assessed Accessibility Details
Parking
Designated parking for guests with disabilities
Within 50 metres approx. of entrance
- The surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance:
is solid
is gravel
is grass
Drop-off point for guests outside entrance
- The route from the parking area to the entrance:
Is flat (i.e. without steps)
Public Areas
- Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift:
From the entrance to reception / ticket area
To a specially adapted public toilet suitable for wheelchair users
To the gift shop
Good contrast between the floor and walls
Contrast markings on clear surfaces such as glass doors
Baby changing facilities
Visitor information available in audio format
Hearing loop installed in public areas
General
Hearing loop system
Seating available for visitors with limited mobility
Clear signage
Effective lighting for visually impaired visitors
Good colour/tonal contrast for visually impaired visitors
Wheelchairs provided
Fee payable
Routes/pathways suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility
Displays at suitable height for wheelchair users / children
Audible alarm system
Entrance
Entrance is well lit
Automatic door at the main entrance
Food
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift to cafeteria
Good contrast between the floor and walls
- Restaurant / cafe provide meals for visitors with special dietary requirements:
Sugar free (diabetic)
Gluten free (coeliacs)
Lactose free (dairy free)
Nut free
Additive free
Vegetarian
Vegan
Seating suitable for wheelchair users, ie moveable and good height for person sitting in a wheelchair
High chairs for children
Children's menu
Notes
Colchester Zoo does have some steep hills. For this reason it offers a reduced rate for the disabled. An Easier Route is in place which it is recommended should be used by wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility.