After amassing a record 11,666 ‘excellent’ ratings on TripAdvisor, the UK’s best zoo has been named.
TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, ranked the best zoos and aquariums across the country based on customer reviews.
Chester Zoo has been crowned the top for the second year in a row, and it features among Europe’s top 10 zoos too.
The Cheshire-based attraction is home to around 30,000 animals and 500 different species.
From the Asian elephant, to the Asiatic lion, the zoo has plenty for animal-lovers to enjoy and is a leading national conservation zoo, committed to protecting endangered species.
On the prestigious TripAdvisor title, Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, said: ‘We’re over the moon to be named the UK’s top zoo by TripAdvisor.
Chester Zoo has been crowned the very best in the UK by TripAdvisor for the second year in a row
The Cheshire-based attraction is home to around 30,000 animals and 500 different species
‘This recognition is built entirely on genuine reviews from our visitors – and that means the world to us. I’m very proud of everyone who makes our national conservation zoo such a special place.’
Christon explained some of the conservation work the zoo has been participating in over the years.
‘Every visit to Chester Zoo directly supports our vital conservation work, both here at home and around the world, and the past year alone is a reminder of just how much that work matters,’ he added.
‘We’ve developed the world’s first vaccine for a deadly virus that threatens Asian elephants globally, we’ve officially pulled a tiny species of snail back from the brink of extinction, and right here on our doorstep we’ve been planting thousands of new trees to create important new woodland habitat.
‘None of that happens without the people who come through our gates – and we’re enormously grateful to every one of them.’
The zoo has added several projects over the years, including Heart of Africa which opened in 2025.
Spanning more than 17 football pitches (2.5 acres), it is the largest zoo habitat ever created in the UK and is home to 57 iconic African species.
The area aims to recreate a variety of grassland habitats found across central Africa.
From the Asian elephant, to the Asiatic lion, the zoo has plenty for animal-lovers to enjoy and is a leading national conservation zoo, committed to protecting endangered species
New overnight lodges were also unveiled at Chester Zoo last year, which enable visitors to stay the night on the site for the first time – and wake up right next to the animals.
Called The Reserve, Chester Zoo’s new resort is made up of 51 ‘luxury’ lodges for two to six guests that are built with ‘a one-of-a-kind safari lodge feel’, inspired by the African savannah.
Alongside family lodges are suites with views over Chester Zoo’s lake and ‘Lookout’ lodges where guests can wake up to giraffes walking past their window.
Check in to a ‘Giraffe’ lodge and they get their own private giraffe feeding station and roll-top baths on the decking.
As well as a choice of lodges, The Reserve offers a selection of packages that all include two-day access via a private entrance to Chester Zoo, valet parking, and dining at the onsite Amboseli Restaurant.
Depending on the package selected, guests will also have the chance to get behind-the-scenes tours from park rangers, with the option to help them tend to Chester Zoo’s wildlife.
The Savannah VIP Package, for example, includes a ‘giraffe wake-up experience’, where guests help zookeepers with the animals’ morning routine.
Chester Zoo was followed by Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur Land on TripAdvisor’s list. The Shropshire-based attraction is perfect for families and boasts 5,291 ‘excellent’ reviews.
On the prestigious TripAdvisor title, Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, said: ‘We’re over the moon to be named the UK’s top zoo by TripAdvisor.’
Visitors can get stuck in with a range of experiences, from interacting with the meerkats to helping zoo keepers feed wolves and foxes.
Located in Doncaster, Yorkshire Wildlife Park ranked third and is home to polar bears, lions, tigers and more. The conservation-focussed park has 6,505 excellent ratings on TripAdvisor.
Meanwhile, West Midlands Safari Park and Whipsnade Zoo place fourth and fifth respectively.
Other impressive zoos include London Zoo, in sixth, as well as Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park, The Deep, Colchester Zoo and Folly Farm all rounding off the top 10.
The UK’s top 10 zoos and aquariums Chester Zoo, CheshireHoo Zoo and Dinosaur World, ShropshireYorkshire Wildlife Park, DoncasterWest Midlands Safari Park, BewdleyWhipsnade Zoo, DunstableLondon Zoo, LondonJimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park, IpswitchThe Deep, HullColchester Zoo, ColchesterFolly Farm, Wales
Source: TripAdvisor
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