Information & FAQs
Colchester Zoo will temporarily close from 4.30pm on the 24th December 2020, until further notice, due to Government guidelines and tier restrictions.
Find out more including our lockdown FAQs here.
Entry T&Cs
Please read the full entry terms & conditions ahead of your visit to Colchester Zoo. Further important information can be found below.
Emergency out of hours contact:
If you urgently require assistance outside of the zoo’s opening hours please call us on 01206 331292 and select option 2 – This number is to be used in an emergency ONLY.
Any enquiries regarding a booking, payment or other general information about an order or question about your visit should be made by calling 01206 331292 ext 461 from 9.30am until the zoo’s closing time. Our hours are available to view here.
Admission Enquiries
Three wheeled trikes are allowed into Colchester Zoo only on the condition that parents or guardians use the trike as if it were a buggy and do not allow the child to propel themselves. Visitors will be required to sign a disclaimer if they wish to bring in a trike agreeing that they use it at their own risk and take full responsibility steering it.
We are unable to offer any compensation to those who attempt to enter on these tickets so please do not purchase them. Only tickets purchased from official third party companies and Colchester Zoo are valid for admission. Anyone found to be selling Colchester Zoo tickets online will have their tickets immediately cancelled, further action may also be taken against passholders found to be selling complimentary tickets.
During late night openings children under the age of 16yrs must be accompanied by a responsible adult/guardian at all times whilst on the premises. Unaccompanied children under 16yrs will not be admitted.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Find out more here.
General Enquiries
Should a visitor need to smoke or vape we have various dedicated smoking zones within the park which we ask visitors to smoke within. These are detailed on the park map.
Any persons found to be smoking outside of these zones will be asked to stop smoking and directed to a smoking zone.
Access Enquiries
Please read Colchester Zoo’s terms of entry ahead of your visit.
Tickets: Please be aware that any guest visiting with a disability will be required to purchase the relevant adult, senior or child admission ticket (online in advance). Colchester Zoo will then admit an assistant FREE of charge upon request when verification of disability is shown.
Vouchers and Discounts
Zoo Pass Enquiries
Please ensure you read our updated terms and conditions prior to purchasing your pass.
Animal Enquiries
Zoo Keeper and Keeper for the Day Enquiries
Job and Work Experience Enquiries
Charity Fundraising Requests
Colchester Zoo and its charitable organisation, Action for the Wild, donates hundreds of complimentary tickets to local organisations including schools and charities to assist with their fundraising efforts. These requests have grown to such an extent over the past few years which has resulted in us having to put in place a policy to consider all applications.
Unfortunately we are not currently taking requests for charity fundraising raffles as we are unable to donate tickets at this time.
We thank you for your understanding.