Today's Announcements

Please be aware that some areas of the zoo will be CLOSED from the following dates to allow us time to prepare for our Halloween events.
• From 25th September 2023, our Bears of the Rising Sun lower viewing area will be closed.
• From 2nd October 2023, our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
• From 9th October 2023, our Cheetah viewing area, opposite Komodo Dragons, will be closed.

Go digital and download the Colchester Zoo App.
Find out more here

Important Information

Start Date13th Oct 2023 End Date13th Oct 2023

Expect the Unexpected…

The Trail of Terror begins as soon as you step foot in the door, from rustling bushes, to masked monsters and screaming scarers, they could get you anytime and anywhere.

This is a pre-bookable event with a maximum capacity each evening. Arrivals will be staggered along the trail offering you screams of laughter as you won’t know what is lurking around the corner on The Trail of Terror!

Colchester Zoo will close at 5:00pm to day visitors as usual, before opening at 6:30pm on selected evenings, leaving the Zoo behind as The Trail of Terror comes to life!

We do have a limited number of Safe Zones during the trail which are located alongside Meerkat Hangout, Wrap and Roll and Penguini’s Restaurant, offering pastries, hot dogs, pizza and chips that you can enjoy without fear of being scared!

We will also have food and live music by T42 for you to enjoy at the end of the trail, PLUS a themed photo point so you can purchase a souvenir of your evening.

NEW FOR 2023! Why not UPGRADE your ticket.
Purchase a Trail of Terror Combi Ticket and receive a £6.50 food and drink voucher for just £5.
Food and Drink vouchers can be used in our Safe Zone locations during the trail.

*Terms and conditions apply to voucher.

THIS EVENT IS NOT FOR SCAREDY-CATS!

If you’re not able to make this date then The Trail of Terror is taking place on the following evenings too! 14th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 27th and 28th October 2023
BOOK NOW

Due to the nature of this event, we do not recommend this for anyone under the age of 12yrs however this is at guardians’ discretion. We will not admit anyone under the age of 5yrs. Please also be aware that due to the unpredictable nature of the trail, this event may not be suitable for some people with sensory or other specific needs.

The Trail of Terror event must be pre-booked online in advance. Please be aware that tickets are non-refundable, do bear this in mind when deciding if this event is suitable for everyone in your group. Unfortunately, it is not viable for us to offer a discount to Passholders for this event. Tesco Partner Reward Codes CANNOT be used for entry to this event.

Colchester Zoo (location only, the Zoo will be closed during event)
There are 7 dates available in which to take part:
Friday 13th October 2023
Saturday 14th October 2023
Friday 20th October 2023
Saturday 21st October 2023
Wednesday 25th October 2023
Friday 27th October 2023
Saturday 28th October 2023

Please note: there will be no Trail of Terror taking place on 31st October 2023.

The Trail of Terror is available to book in slots from 6.30pm. Choose your date and 15 minute arrival time slot when booking, closing times may vary.
The trail can take 1 hour to 1 ½ hours to complete depending on whether you choose to take a break from the scares at a Safe Zone. It is one way and so you are unable to turn back once you have begun the trail.

Your entry admits you to participate in The Trail of Terror route once within the evening. You are not able to re-walk the route once you have completed the trail.
Due to the nature of this event, we do not recommend this for anyone under the age of 12yrs however this is at guardians’ discretion. We will not admit anyone under the age of 5yrs. Please also be aware that due to the unpredictable nature of the trail, this event may not be suitable for some people with sensory or other specific needs.

Under 16yrs must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 16yrs at all times whilst in the park. Unaccompanied persons under 16yrs will not be admitted.
General Ticket Prices:
£22 per person – 13th and 14th October
£25 per person – 20th, 21st, 25th, 27th and 28th October

Combi Ticket Prices:
Purchase a Trail of Terror Combi Ticket and receive a £6.50 food and drink voucher for just £5.
£27 per person – 13th and 14th October
£30 per person – 20th, 21st, 25th, 27th and 28th October

The Trail of Terror event must be pre-booked online in advance.
The Trail of Terror does not admit entry to Colchester Zoo during usual opening hours.
Personal assistants will be admitted free of charge to accompany a guest with a disability, verification may be requested on arrival.

Unfortunately, it is not viable for us to offer a discount to Passholders for this event.
Tesco Partner Reward Codes CANNOT be used for entry to this event.

Please be aware that tickets are non-refundable, do bear this in mind when deciding if this event is suitable for everyone in your group.
Please also be aware that due to the unpredictable nature of the trail, this event may not be suitable for some people with sensory or other specific needs.

Admission to this event cannot be used to upgrade to a Zoo Pass. Our Guest Services office and The Outpost Gift Shop will also be closed during this event.
BOOK NOW

Although this event is hosted by us here at Colchester Zoo & the trail is within the park, the Zoo itself will remain closed and the event does not include animal viewing.

Please be aware that all activities, terms & conditions, dates, times and prices are subject to change.

FAQ’s

Our popular day time Shriek Week events will be running throughout October half term.
We will have a small number of catering outlets open including Meerkat Hangout, Wrap and Roll, Snack Shack and Penguini’s Restaurant, offering some hot food, snacks and drinks throughout the evening so you can take a break, catch your breath and enjoy some fang-tastic food!

NEW FOR 2023! Why not UPGRADE your ticket.
Purchase a Trail of Terror Combi Ticket and receive a £6.50 food and drink voucher for just £5.
We are not able to admit anyone under the age 5yrs to this event.

Due to the nature of this event, we do not recommend this for anyone under the age of 12yrs however this is at guardians’ discretion.
Please also be aware that due to the unpredictable nature of the trail, this event may not be suitable for some people with sensory or other specific needs.

Please be aware that tickets are non-refundable therefore please bear this in mind when deciding if this event is suitable for everyone in your group.
As with previous years we will also be offering a more family friendly day time selection of activities via our Shriek Week event. Shriek Week is included in the cost of general zoo admission with some secondary activities available at a small additional cost.
We will have evening entry time slots every 15 minutes from 6:30pm with the last entry time subject to demand. This allows for a smooth flow of people throughout The Trail of Terror. This is to help avoid overcrowding and queueing for long periods of time.

As you enter certain areas of the trail our marshals may ask you to wait for a short time to allow for previous groups to move on and keep a steady flow throughout the trail.
Unfortunately, it is not viable for us to offer a discount to Passholders for this event due to the the general operation of the event.
Passholder discounts will still be available in open food outlets.
Colchester Zoo will close at 5:00pm. From 6:30pm The Trail of Terror will open and the Zoo as you know it will remain closed therefore, it will not be possible to see any of the animals.

The Trail of Terror consists of a marked route which you will be asked to follow.

If you would like to see the animals at Colchester Zoo, The Trail of Terror is not the event for you, instead we recommend joining us during the day.
The trail has been designed to be accessible for wheelchairs however there are some areas that may present difficulty because of uneven ground or after wet weather when the surface may become muddy or slippery. Parts of the trail do also use bark chipping as a base and this may prove difficult for some, not all, wheelchairs.

Please note: Wheelchairs and mobility scooters will not be available to hire for this event.
We do not recommend this event for assistant dogs however this is at the owners’ discretion. This is due to special effects, sudden noises and scares that will occur throughout the trail.

If you decide to enter with an assistant dog, please contact us in advance to make our team aware of the time you will be visiting.

Please be aware that tickets are non-refundable, do keep this in mind when deciding if this event is suitable for your assistant dog.
Smoking and vaping is strictly prohibited with the Zoo grounds. Please only use our designated smoking area located outside of the Zoo’s main entrance.

Please read our full Trail of Terror Terms & Conditions here.

Tickets are non-refundable, do bear this in mind when deciding if this event is suitable for everyone in your group.

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