Colchester Zoo is a full day out, so do get here early! You’ll need to visit more than once to see every event.

We are open every day from 9.30am except Christmas Day. Closing times vary according to season and Colchester Zoo managment reserve the right to close all or parts of Colchester Zoo as required. 

3rd November 2018 – 15th February 2019 – 4.30pm close or dusk if earlier
Last admission to zoo grounds 3.30pm

Saturday 16th February 2019 – Friday 5th April 2019 – 5.00pm close or dusk if earlier
Last admissions to zoo grounds at 4.00pm

Saturday 6th April 2019 – Friday 26th July 2019 – 6.00pm close
Last admissions to zoo grounds at 5.00pm

Saturday 27th July 2019 – Friday 6th September 2019 – 6.30pm close
Last admission to zoo grounds at 5.30pm

Saturday 7th September 2019 – Sunday 29th September 2019 – 6.00pm close or dusk if earlier
Last admissions to zoo grounds at 4.00pm

Monday 30th September 2019 – Sunday 3rd November 2019 – 5.00pm close or dusk if earlier
Last admissions to zoo grounds at 4.00pm

Monday 4st November 2019 – Friday 14th February 2020 – 4.30pm close or dusk if earlier
Last admissions to zoo grounds at 3.30pm

Wednesday 25th December 2019 – CLOSED

Further closing times to be confirmed.

Operating Hours:

Catering and Retail outlets will close at least one hour prior to the zoo grounds as well as some interactive areas and the Kingdom of the Wild building. Jungle Tumble promptly closes 30 minutes prior to zoo grounds, last entry to the soft play facilities are 45 minutes prior to zoo closing time. Some of the larger animal buildings close 30 minutes prior to the zoo grounds with last admission to these areas up to 30 minutes before this time. Please note that the zoo car parks close a maximum of 30 minutes after the zoo closes.

Catering outlets:

Main restaurants: 
09.30am – 30 minutes before zoo close, Penguini’s 
09.30am – zoo close, Southern Kitchen

The outlets below are open until late afternoon (times vary according to season)

Open from 09.30am
The Patisserie
Playa Patagonia Coffee Shop
Meerkat Hangout

Open from 10.00am
Wrap Bar
The Waterhole

Other outlets open during high season include: The Veg Box, Naughty and Nice, Chip and Dip, Sausage Hut, Safari Snack Shop, Tiger Taiga Snack Shop, Spirit Snack Shop, and Playa Patagonia Ice Cream.

For closing times, please check with the outlets on the day of your visit. Please be aware that some catering outlets are seasonal and might be closed on quieter days. Please check at the entrance for details on the day. 

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