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About the Zoo

Chester Zoo History

Chester Zoo was founded in the early 1930's by George Mottershead. The zoo was started with the purchase of 11 acres of land together with Oakfield House Building, the Stable Block and the Lodge in 1935. Since then, it has expanded to the 500 acres and 170 buildings that Chester Zoo owns today.

The Mottershead family owned a market garden business based in Shavington, Chester. The family would import exotic plants from abroad to sell in their market garden and George Mottershead would collect the lizards and insects that arrived with them, showing an early interest in the animal world. In 1903 George's interest in creating a zoo was further developed by a visit to Belle Vue Zoo in Manchester. Mottershead wanted to build a zoo without the traditional Victorian iron bars to cage the animals and was influenced by the ideas of Carl Hagenback, who invented the modem zoo concept.

Chester Zoo Today

The zoo is famous worldwide for its innovative enclosure designs, its many breeding successes and its involvement in co-operative breeding programmes. The zoo plays a vital role in developing conservation outreach, research and education. The zoo is funded by the North of England Zoological Society and receives no government funding.

Four hundred acres of the zoo land is primarily greenbelt and the land is leased or tenanted for agricultural purposes. Within this land there are three disused farms which are now used as storage and off show facilities. In addition, Chester Zoo owns fourteen residential properties originally bought as accommodation for workers at the zoo. There are also two large houses which have been converted into multiple occupancy accommodation for temporary staff.

Chester Zoo is one of the largest and most beautiful in the UK, employing between 250 and 400 staff, depending on the time of year. It was awarded Best Large Tourist Attraction of the Year in 2006. A visit to the zoo makes for a wonderful family day out, as well as a fantastic way for children to learn about animals.

Book your tickets and a hotel stay with us and you're sure to have a fascinating and fun family break for a great price.