History of Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo was one man's dream. As a child, George Mottershead visited a now closed zoo in Manchester and is reported to have been so upset seeing large animals in small cages, that he said to his father 'when I have a zoo, it won't have any bars.'
George's dream was finally realised in 1930, when he brought his family to live in the Oakfield Manor bringing with him animals from a zoo at Shavington, near Crewe. His venture became the North of England Zoological Society in 1934, and with considerable skill and enthusiasm, he kept the Zoo going through the Second World War. Rapid expansion followed after the war. 'Always Building' was a slogan of the time. George received the OBE, an honorary degree of MSc, and served a term as President of the International Union of Zoo Directors. He died in 1978 aged 84 having realised his dream of a 'zoo without bars'.
Today, the Zoo wide estate consists of approximately 500 acres of which 110 acres is the zoological gardens. The Zoo began its life with the purchase of the first parcel of land of 11 acres together with Oakfield Manor, the Stable Block and Lodge in circa 1935.
Within the Zoo there are some 170 buildings used for a variety of purposes. The Oakfield Manor and Stable Block are Grade 11* listed. Other buildings include cafeterias, toilet blocks, animal exhibits, administration, maintenance, and shops all of varying size, style and construction built within the 75 year life of the Zoo. On the wider estate, the 400 acres is primarily greenbelt and the land is leased or tenanted for agricultural purposes. There is one parcel of land within the Zoo ownership which is an oil storage facility owned by the Ministry of Defence. On this land there are also three disused farms which are now used as storage and off show facilities. The Zoo also owns 14 residential properties originally bought as accommodation for zoo employees. There are also two large houses which have been converted into houses for multiple occupancy which are used for short term lets for students and temporary staff.
Chester Zoo magazines from 1937-1960 and 1962-1982 are available on disc for £4.99 on sale in the Zoo library at Cedar House (entrance opposite the aquarium).