Chester Zoo Day Out

Some of the Animals!

Finlay decided that for his birthday he wanted to go to Chester zoo. When Jack was little we went to Chester zoo, but Finlay has never been before. We made good time on the motorway and arrived mid morning. 


It was pretty busy but we were soon parked up. The queues for tickets were well organised and it wasn't long before we were in the Park. As it was Finlay's birthday he had the choice of what he wanted to look at first. Elephants were easy to find they are are by the gate! Next stop was rinosorousers, for the rest of the morning we zig-zagged around the park, Finlay was happy to walk for miles to get to his next favourite animal! 

The Kids with the Dinosaur Exhibition

I've gave Jack an old digital camera and he was happy practicing taking photos, it's interesting how digital photography is so much more accessible than the old fashioned film cameras. Jack was happy clicking away and testing out different ideas, he got some good photos! 


Bats were quite entertaining, Finlay initially didn't like it and wanted to get out quickly, however he got his head around the dark and settled down and started enjoying everything. For lunch we headed back to the cafe by the entrance, both kids were more interested in what to look at next and didn't eat much lunch. 

Jack and Finn with a Komono Dragon (Statue)

Throughout the summer there is a dinosaur exhibition with life size animated replicas with noise and even squirting water. Jack and Finlay thought these were brilliant. The models are very life like and you can get really close to everything.


We headed off to look at the indoor reptile house. I liked the Poison Dart Frogs, they are tiny! Next we headed to the Orangutans, this has all changed since I last came to the zoo. I remember watching families from outside at ground level the last time I was here, but now there are high fences preventing viewing from afar. It's a huge facility with lots of large areas where the Orangutans can climb about. There is an outside area as well, but this can only be seen from within the complex. To be honest the animals on display didn't look happy. Just my impression!

Me and Finn!

Next we went and looked at the Chimpanzees, they were just being fed and we got a real sense of the pecking order. It looked like a real community and I enjoyed watching the group getting on with life.


It was getting near the end of the day so we asked Finlay what he wanted to do, he decided that we should go through the bat cave again and also revisit the Dinasaur exhibition. Both Jack and Finlay really enjoyed going back through these areas. After this we headed back to the car and home.


Zoos are funny places I really enjoy looking at everything and learning about the ecology, but at the same time I struggle looking at primates, the Chimpanzees and Orangutans are too close to us and I always feel that they shouldn't be in captivity.


It was a good day out, both kids loved it and the weather had stayed fine, considering how poor it's been recently this was a bonus!