Chester Zoo has officially been crowned the best-rated zoo in the UK by TripAdvisor.
The world’s largest travel guidance platform has ranked the nationally renowned conservation zoo at the top of the list of the UK’s leading zoos and aquariums, based on consistently outstanding visitor reviews.
Home to around 30,000 animals and 500 species, the Cheshire-based zoo has accumulated 11,666 ‘excellent’ ratings from visitors.
Its reputation extends well beyond UK shores, as the zoo also features among Europe’s top 10 zoos and aquariums for 2026.
These prestigious rankings are derived from millions of traveller reviews and ratings submitted to the globally influential platform.
Globally Important Conservation Efforts
The national conservation zoo is working to protect many of the world’s most threatened animal and plant species, both at its base in Chester and across the globe.
Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, said:
“We’re over the moon to be named the UK’s top zoo by Tripadvisor.
“This recognition is built entirely on genuine reviews from our visitors, and that means the world to us.
“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.
“We’ve developed the world’s first vaccine for a deadly virus that threatens Asian elephants globally, and we’ve officially pulled a tiny species of snail back from the brink of extinction.”
None of these achievements would be possible without the support of the public. By visiting the zoo, guests are directly funding charitable conservation work, which includes planting thousands of new trees to create important new woodland habitats right here in the UK.
Record-Breaking Expansions and Visitor Experience
The TripAdvisor accolade comes off the back of one of the most ambitious expansions in UK zoo history.
Last year, the zoo opened Heart of Africa, the largest zoo habitat ever created in the UK.
This vast new area spans more than 17 football pitches and is home to 57 iconic African species, recreating a variety of grassland habitats found across central Africa.
In addition to habitat expansions, the zoo recently unveiled The Reserve, a landmark development offering a premium safari getaway.
Featuring 51 luxury African-themed lodges, this new hotel provides guests with the opportunity to stay overnight at the zoo for the first time.
This initiative allows visitors to further immerse themselves in the zoo’s environment while continuing to support its essential mission of wildlife protection and global conservation.
