COVID-19 Information
Click on the options below to find out more about about your queries following our previous closures and safety measures.
We’re good to go!
Both our indoor and outdoor areas are open, and as the majority of Colchester Zoo is open-air with wide pathways and open areas, we hope that this will be an ideal location for those who would like to reconnect with nature in a safe, managed environment.
We politely ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to make adjustments to the conditions as outlined to us by Government.
Both our indoor and outdoor areas are open, and as the majority of Colchester Zoo is open-air with wide pathways and open areas, we hope that this will be an ideal location for those who would like to reconnect with nature in a safe, managed environment.
We politely ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to make adjustments to the conditions as outlined to us by Government.
Passholders may visit WITHOUT the need to book. Should we reach our capacity a one in-one out system will put in place and entry cannot be guaranteed.
Please be aware bookings may be reintroduced at any time.
On arrival you must show your valid Zoo Pass otherwise access cannot be granted.
What happened to memberships whilst the Zoo was closed?
When the Zoo was closed for the initial lockdown in March 2020 all current passes were ‘frozen’ and upon reopening, unless requested otherwise, we extended all current Zoo Passholders by the period of time the zoo was closed in relation to their expiry date and also added an additional gratuity month.
During the second closure of Colchester Zoo we offered to compensate Zoo Passholders, extending Zoo Passes to give back the time lost. In order to have received this extension you must have completed our online form. This was communicated via email, social media and the Colchester Zoo website.
For our third, and we hope final closure, all Zoo Passes that were valid from the 1st December 2020 onwards, have been given an extension of 132 days, added on to your Zoo Pass expiry date. This includes 108 days of closure plus an additional 24 days due to tier restrictions imposed prior to closure in December.
To save costs we have not reprinted passes with a new date on but passes will be valid at the admission gates.
If you are unsure of your new expiry date, please visit the Colchester Zoo Membership Pass Portal, visit Guest Services upon entry or contact the Guest Services Team and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please be aware bookings may be reintroduced at any time.
On arrival you must show your valid Zoo Pass otherwise access cannot be granted.
What happened to memberships whilst the Zoo was closed?
When the Zoo was closed for the initial lockdown in March 2020 all current passes were ‘frozen’ and upon reopening, unless requested otherwise, we extended all current Zoo Passholders by the period of time the zoo was closed in relation to their expiry date and also added an additional gratuity month.
During the second closure of Colchester Zoo we offered to compensate Zoo Passholders, extending Zoo Passes to give back the time lost. In order to have received this extension you must have completed our online form. This was communicated via email, social media and the Colchester Zoo website.
For our third, and we hope final closure, all Zoo Passes that were valid from the 1st December 2020 onwards, have been given an extension of 132 days, added on to your Zoo Pass expiry date. This includes 108 days of closure plus an additional 24 days due to tier restrictions imposed prior to closure in December.
To save costs we have not reprinted passes with a new date on but passes will be valid at the admission gates.
If you are unsure of your new expiry date, please visit the Colchester Zoo Membership Pass Portal, visit Guest Services upon entry or contact the Guest Services Team and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
All paying visitors may visit WITHOUT the need to pre-book online in advance of their visit.
E-tickets must be purchased up to 11.59pm on the day BEFORE your chosen visit date to receive the online pre-booking discount. We currently do not offer E-ticket purchases for same-day visits.
We ask that you make your purchase online via a computer or smart phone to assist us with capacity management and reduce the need of staff contact.
Please read our full E-ticket Terms and Conditions HERE.
E-tickets must be purchased up to 11.59pm on the day BEFORE your chosen visit date to receive the online pre-booking discount. We currently do not offer E-ticket purchases for same-day visits.
We ask that you make your purchase online via a computer or smart phone to assist us with capacity management and reduce the need of staff contact.
Please read our full E-ticket Terms and Conditions HERE.
During all of Colchester Zoo’s closures we have had to postpone those with Animal Experiences booked.
We have been working hard to rebook Animal Experiences for all those who had to postpone their visit to us and arrange a new date within the next 12 months at no additional cost.
If you had an Animal Experience booked with us and have not yet been in touch with our team, please contact our Experiences Team and will be in touch to assist you with re-booking.
We have been working hard to rebook Animal Experiences for all those who had to postpone their visit to us and arrange a new date within the next 12 months at no additional cost.
If you had an Animal Experience booked with us and have not yet been in touch with our team, please contact our Experiences Team and will be in touch to assist you with re-booking.
Upon re-opening Colchester Zoo, we issued vouchers that were valid at the time with an additional 3 months validity. This was to enable you to obtain your annual pass or book your animal experience with us during this additional 3 month period.
Experience Vouchers:
Please be aware this did not mean you have to participate in the experience within those 3 months but simply to book the experience with our Experiences Reception. The experience will then be taken within 12 months at no additional cost.
If you have an Animal Experience Gift Voucher you should contact our Experiences Team and they will work with you to identify an available date for your experience.
Experience Vouchers:
Please be aware this did not mean you have to participate in the experience within those 3 months but simply to book the experience with our Experiences Reception. The experience will then be taken within 12 months at no additional cost.
If you have an Animal Experience Gift Voucher you should contact our Experiences Team and they will work with you to identify an available date for your experience.
Colchester Zoo is now accepting Tesco Vouchers as a form of payment.
Simply turn up on the day you would like to use your Tesco Reward Partner Codes and head towards our signed Ticket Office. A member of our team will then be able to process your codes into entry tickets. Please ensure that you bring with you your Tesco Reward Partner Codes and not the order confirmation email. Those who turn up without their Tesco Reward Partner Codes will either have to pay in full for admission or will be turned away.
CLICK HERE For further details about Tesco Vouchers
Simply turn up on the day you would like to use your Tesco Reward Partner Codes and head towards our signed Ticket Office. A member of our team will then be able to process your codes into entry tickets. Please ensure that you bring with you your Tesco Reward Partner Codes and not the order confirmation email. Those who turn up without their Tesco Reward Partner Codes will either have to pay in full for admission or will be turned away.
CLICK HERE For further details about Tesco Vouchers
We still need your help!
Although we are now open for visits, we are still very much feeling the affects of the multiple closures and staff shortages experienced as a result of COVID-19.
If you would like to help the zoo, please visit our Support Us page to find out how you can lend a much-needed hand at this difficult time.
Thank you.
Although we are now open for visits, we are still very much feeling the affects of the multiple closures and staff shortages experienced as a result of COVID-19.
If you would like to help the zoo, please visit our Support Us page to find out how you can lend a much-needed hand at this difficult time.
Thank you.
If you do have any further queries you can contact us here.