WE VISITED Chester Zoo to see how it’s helping not just animals, but human babies too
As the season arrives when zoos showcase their newest – and undeniably cutest – animal arrivals, a visit to Chester Zoo reveals that the focus isn’t just on furry and feathered babies. This year, the zoo is also putting the spotlight on its youngest visitors: human babies.
In a collaboration with babycare brand Pura, Chester Zoo has been updating its facilities to make family visits with young children more comfortable.
Baby-changing areas across the zoo have been refreshed and stocked with Pura’s nappies clean and conscious wipes, helping parents and carers take care of their little ones while exploring the attraction; wipes and nappies are available to buy from dispensers inside the changing areas.
The facilities have also been given a colourful, fun new look, and Pura’s eco-friendly range will soon be available in the zoo shop and at the overnight lodges at The Reserve.
During our visit, we made use of the updated facility at one of the restaurants with our own little ones.
There will be 14 baby-change rooms in total, and Pura expects to have their products in the shop by Easter.
Guy Fennell, Pura Founder, said: “Pura was born to provide all parents with soft, safe and toxin-free baby products, made responsibly.
"We are proud to partner with Chester Zoo, sharing a mission to create a better future for babies, wildlife and the planet.”
Families were already enjoying the early spring weather during our visit to the zoo, and there were plenty of opportunities to see wildlife up close. With so much to see across the zoo, it quickly became clear that it would be impossible to take it all in during just one day. I hadn’t been to the zoo for more than 10 years, so it was wonderful to experience it again – and through the eyes of our two young children.
After getting our bearings, we began the visit the way many first-time (or long-time returning) visitors do: with a quick study of the zoo map to plan our route and after grabbing a drink from one of the refreshment outposts, we set off to explore.
It didn’t take long before the wildlife started to appear.
We passed a group of flamingos, their feathers a delicate shade of pink, before spotting a majestic greater one-horned rhino. Further along were the distinctive Grévy’s zebras, easily recognisable by their narrow stripes, and two giraffes. Sebastian was delighted when they wandered right up to the fences, towering above him. Visitors could also step inside the nearby enclosure, which offered a warmer space to watch them.
This is all part of the zoo’s impressive Heart of Africa, opened in 2025 as the largest zoo habitat ever created in the UK. Spanning 22 acres, it is home to more than 57 highly threatened African species, showcasing Chester Zoo’s long-running conservation projects across Central and East Africa, where teams are protecting animals such as Eastern black rhinos, Northern giraffes, giant pangolins, and Eastern bongo.
We stopped for lunch at Bembe Grill. We had just missed the brunch service, but ordering food was straightforward thanks to the Chester Zoo app. After downloading it, we were able to place our order from 11.30am onwards.
The app doesn’t currently allow changes to menu items - such as removing sauce from a burger - but it wasn’t a major issue. I opted for a flame-grilled chicken skewer (£13.95), my husband chose a classic smash burger (£11.99), and the boys had two children’s meals with chicken tenders (£7.99 each), which came with fries and a juice drink.
The food was fairly reasonably priced for a major attraction, and service was quick. It was exactly the kind of simple, satisfying lunch that works well for families wanting something straightforward before heading back out to see more animals.
Next, we made our way to the Asian elephants – gentle giants who moved with surprising grace. From there, we headed to the lemur walkthrough, one of my favourites. Sadly, we didn’t spot any lemurs while inside, but stepping out, we were rewarded with glimpses of three or four happily hopping about nearby.
The wildlife spotting continued throughout the afternoon. We admired the sleek jaguar, crawled through tunnels and peered through domes in the meerkat enclosure - a definite highlight for Sebastian, who had a nice surprise when he saw where they were! (pictured).
We also saw Humboldt penguins, caught a glimpse of the napping sloths, and watched the chimpanzees swinging energetically in their enclosure. We spotted a mother chimp carefully carrying her baby, clinging tightly as she moved - a lovely reminder that it wasn’t just the human visitors with little ones in tow that day.
The zoo is very well laid out, with clear signage making it easy to navigate between zones (Green, Blue, Yellow, Pink and Heart of Africa), but even after a full day, we barely scratched the surface.
With so many exhibits and experiences, it’s impossible to see everything in just one visit. The zoo, an international conservation charity, is home to more than 30,000 animals and more than 500 species. It attracted an amazing 2.1 million visitors in 2025.
We rounded off the day with the Lazy River boat trip. By then, our little ones were tired but happy. It was clear that Chester Zoo offers something for all ages- from toddlers experiencing animals for the first time to adults rediscovering the magic of the zoo after years away.
Perhaps that’s part of what makes a trip here feel so special. Watching children discover animals for the first time - eyes wide at a towering giraffe or giggling at a curious meerkat - is a reminder that every visit begins a new generation of wildlife lovers.
It is of course educational too, offering visitors from a young age a chance to learn about animals, conservation and the natural world in a way that feels exciting rather than like a lesson and the thoughtful partnership, between Pura and the zoo, is now making these experiences easier and stress free for families.
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