Some areas of the Zoo are CLOSED to allow us to prepare for our Halloween events. ... read more
Until 3rd November, there will be restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) and our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
From 14th October 2024, our Woodland Hollow will be closed.
Plan your Educational Youth Groups trip:
Prices & Payment
Educational Youth Group Tickets
| Ticket Type | Price |
| Educational Youth Group Child | £9.99 |
| Educational Youth Group Additional Adult | £11.99 |
| Educational Youth Group Challenge Badge | £4.00 |
| Educational Youth Group Explorer Day | £4.51 |
| Goody Bag | £2.75 |
| Calippo Ice Lollies | £2.20 |
Free adult places are provided for supervision. Ratios vary by age, see below for details.
Educational Youth Group Ticket T&Cs
All group members must enter the zoo together to benefit from these discounted rates; we do not print out individual tickets.
We require all educational youth groups to book their visit a minimum of 5 days in advance. Please note that when booking your visit it is fine if your numbers are estimates. We will confirm your exact final numbers of children and adults on the day of your visit.
Payment Options
Educational Youth Groups do not need to pay a deposit or pre-pay. Payment is required on arrival by cash or card. For quicker entry, ensure the card is present, as ‘card not present’ payments may cause delays.
The group leader will confirm numbers and provide Zoo Passes. Children and supporting adults should wait outside until the leader checks in and receives tickets.
To qualify for discounted rates, the entire group must enter together. Late arrivals will be charged full price.
Free Adult Supervisors
Educational Youth Groups are offered free adult places for supervision, click for more details
These supervision ratios are guidelines only, while we require children to be supervised, we do not require these exact ratios. Please base your supervisory ratios on the behaviour of your specific children.
The ratio of free adults to children is:
- Ages 5-11 – 1 free adult per 6 paying children
- Ages 11-16 – 1 free adult per 8 paying chldren
Children with physical, emotional, or specific needs (SEND statements, EHCPs, or other evidence) qualify for free adult carers/assistants at a 1:1 ratio. You may be asked for verification of the need for carers/assistants at entry. If you require a higher ratio of carers/assistants, please contact us at education@colchesterzoo.org. Please be aware that children who qualify for the 1:1 carer place will not count towards the overall free supervisory ratio.
Children using Zoo Passes (gold cards) are admitted free of charge but do not count towards your free adult ratio.
Children ages 14 and younger must be supervised at all times.
Children ages 14-16 require supporting leaders to accompany them into the zoo, but are allowed to traverse the zoo in small independent groups without direct supervision. All unsupervised children must be in uniform and/or otherwise identifiable in the event we need to contact you regarding their behaviour.
Goody Bags
Youth Groups have the option of preordering Goody Bags in advance at just £2.75 per child (or bag). Enter the number required on the booking form.
Colchester Zoo requires two weeks notice that you wish to purchase these.
If you have ordered Goody Bags please collect them at the Outpost Shop, on the day of your visit, as you are leaving the zoo.
Colours may vary depending on stock available.
Ice Lollies
Schools can preorder Orange Calippo Ice Lollies in advance for £2.20 (save 10p off our on-the-day prices).
Colchester Zoo requires two weeks notice that you wish to purchase these. It is fine when booking if your numbers are estimates, we will confirm exactly how many you require when you arrive on the day.
If you have ordered Calippos, please collect these from the ‘Penguini’s Restaurant’ food outlet during your visit. Please note that all Calippos must be collected at the same time.
Pre-Visits
We offer Educational Youth Group leaders two free familiarisation tickets to visit the site and plan your day and complete risk assessments prior to your visit. These tickets are only available to registered leaders (they cannot be used by friends or family members).
In order to qualify for these ticekts, you must already have a booked Educational Youth Group trip to Colchester Zoo.
The two leaders will be required to show official ID to access these tickets. If ID is not available for your Educational Youth Group please contact education@colchesterzoo.org to arrange for a letter of proof.
Risk Assessments
Colchester Zoo provides risk assessment guidance sheets for schools with a general outline of potential risks and identified controls. These may be helpful resource to develop risk assessments for your group visit:
It is strongly recommended that all organisers make a preliminary visit to Colchester Zoo to carry out their own risk assessment.
Arrival
Coach and car parking at Colchester Zoo is free.
If arriving by coach, park in the designated coach area. Children and supporting leaders should stay on the coach while the leader checks in at the ticket kiosk with final numbers and payment.
For individual cars, gather children in a safe area in the car park. Children and supporting leaders should remain in this gathering location while the leader checks in and pays.
Once tickets are issued, the leader will collect the group to enter via the main entrance. Tickets and passes will be scanned.
Exit through the Gift Shop. If you’ve purchased goody bags or badges, ensure these are collected before leaving.
Maps
Lunches
The Youth Group Map highlights undercover picnie areas around the zoo. These cannot be pre-booked and are available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that Educational Youth Groups eating packed lunch are not allowed to eat inside our food outlets or cafés.
If your older children plan to eat at our food outlets, please be aware that on quieter days some of them may not be open. See below to find out more:
Play Areas
Educational Youth Groups are offered discounted entry rates because their visit is educational in nature and encouraging their children to learn about animals and the environment. As such, Educational Youth Groups are not permitted to use the Jungle Tumble Soft Play indoor play area.
Educational Youth Group children ages 10 and older are not permitted to use any play areas.
Educational Youth Group children ages 5 – 10 are allowed to use any outdoor play area within the zoo between between 12-2pm only.
