Feel-good experiences, made for winter days
Time outdoors is good for all of us, whether you're moving more, noticing more, or just playing together. Here's what's on this winter, click to find out more:
Nature’s good for you
Spending time in nature can lift your mood, lower stress and help you feel more connected to wildlife, and to yourself.
From blue spaces like the penguin and otter habitats, to multi-sensory environments like Monsoon Forest, the zoo is full of places proven to support wellbeing.
In spring, you might spot frogs, newts and frogspawn - if you pause and look closely.
During your visit you’ll find even more ideas to take home, and real-world inspiration to help nature thrive.
Plus, there's plenty of ways to get involved at home, too, from building a bird box to creating a hibernaculum, or learning more with our animal fact files.
Where's your happy place?
Research shows that time in nature helps us feel better, and it doesn’t need to be far from home.
At Chester Zoo, your happy place might be the warmth of Monsoon Forest, the hush of the Sunken Garden, or the splash of penguins diving into blue water. These aren’t just beautiful spaces, they’re proven to support wellbeing.
Let the sounds of the zoo surround you. Take a moment. Notice something small.
Every visit is a chance to pause, reconnect, and feel more grounded.
Feel the warmth of the UK’s largest indoor rainforest, listen to free-flying birds and explore the rainforest.
A warm and immersive habitat with rare reptiles, colourful frogs, and exotic birds.
More than 30 species of free-flying butterflies, exotic plants and a calming waterfall.
Look closely, can you spot a jaguar? You’ll also find sloths, red-bellied piranhas, spiders and frogs.
Take your time and discover animals that are easy to miss. Encounter locusts, dung beetles, naked mole rats and rare reptiles.
Come face to face with the world’s largest lizards, the powerful and prehistoric Komodo dragons.
In this dark habitat, let your other senses guide you through a free-flying bat cave.
Run for Nature
Run For Nature is back for 2026 on Sunday 29 March, raising money to save UK wildlife. Kickstart your 2026 fitness goals by entering this unique event, giving you the chance to run through the zoo and surrounding estate. Run the 5k, 10k or kid's one mile 'Zoom' event, and help support our mission of preventing extinction.
Protecting species close to home
Nature’s good for us - and it’s all around us. That’s why we’re supporting wildlife across the UK too.
Through projects like Networks for Nature, we’re helping communities connect with the wildlife on their doorstep. From hedgehogs to pollinators, we’re supporting the species that bring everyday nature to life.
We’re also celebrating people making a difference for UK wildlife through our Champions in Conservation Awards. Whether it’s planting for birds, creating ponds, or sharing what you know — it all counts.
Every visit helps protect wildlife. And if you’re feeling inspired, there are ways you can get involved too - through adoption, fundraising or by making a donation.
