Explore one of Britain's best zoos, where you'll see elephants being fed, Komodo dragons sunning themselves and sea lions showing off their underwater speed.
Spend a day out with the family at Colchester Zoo. Walk an underwater tunnel with windows looking into the enclosure of some playful Patagonian sea lions and then watch lemurs jumping on the Madagascar Road train. Daily feeding sessions and falconry displays are sure to delight as you explore this diverse zoo.
Opened in 1963, Colchester Zoo has grown to become one of the U.Ks most renowned wildlife attractions. Take a day to explore the 24-hectare (60-acre) zoo, which is home to around 260 species of animal.
Begin your tour amongst majestic rhinos, awkward giraffes and grazing zebras in the Kingdom of the Wild exhibit. Visit early for the chance to feed giraffes and elephants in the Elephant Kingdom, just a short walk away. The Tiger area is home to several species of feline predator, including the rare Amur tiger.
Follow signs to the Walking Giants area and meet three of the world’s four largest species of tortoise. For an enchanting experience of an underwater world, walk through the 24-metre (80-foot) glass tunnel of Playa Patagonia. Above you, sea lions glide gracefully through reflective pools.
Explore the Wilds of Asia exhibit, which features red pandas, hornbills and gibbons amongst other species. Watch koi scales sparkle and delight in the antics of cheeky otters. Nearby, an enclosure holds the world's largest lizard: the Komodo dragon. These ancient animals have been threatened with extinction in the wild.
Plan your day using an online timetable of the zoo's 40 daily shows. Feeding shows are also held at the orang-utan, penguin and tiger habitats. Find a meal for yourself at a range of kiosks and food outlets around the zoo.
Find Colchester Zoo around 5 kilometres (3 miles) south of Colchester town centre. Drivers will find free parking, though a regular bus service also serves the zoo. The zoo charges an entry fee that includes a donation towards wildlife conservation. It is open daily.
