Chester Zoo in Upton by Chester, Cheshire, owes it very existence to George Mottershead who, as a young boy in the twenieth century, vowed to create a zoo that was different, one without bars, after he had visited a zoo in Manchester. This fine, upstanding young man kept his word and in 1930 he bought seven acres of land and housed the first animals of Chester Zoo. He would be so proud of how this zoo has grown, with 8000 animals and 110 acres of zoological gardens, in essence a zoo without bars. Visit Chester Zoo and meet our magnificent elephants and rhinos, 400 species of rare, exotic and endangered wildlife, in fact there are so many different animals everywhere on our amazing 110 acres of gardens. If you are looking for present ideas that are different, consider our new range of animal encounters and experience days, we have something for everyone. A day out at Chester Zoo is a day that will be packed full of fun things to do, in fact we know you will want to come back for another zoo experience. READ MORE