The Oakfield has stood at the heart of the zoo since 1931 when our Founder George Mottershead moved in with his family and his vision of a ‘zoo without bars’.
Since then, The Oakfield has had many uses from a family home to an aquarium, before becoming a stunning Grade II listed wedding venue. Today, the building’s original structure has been retained, and its original features preserved.
Our spaces in The Oakfield are set apart from the rest of The Oakfield so you are ensured privacy for your events, while still allowing you flexibility to use the whole venue if you wish. Our zoological gardens provide an inspirational backdrop for successful meetings.
Take a look around The Oakfield without stepping foot inside the building with this state-of-the-art 3D tour:
The birthplace of our zoo
The Oakfield is where it all began for the zoo, serving as our pioneering founder George Mottershead’s family home. Beautifully restored and renovated in 2018, The Oakfield retains many stunning original features like the intricate wood panelling in the Library and the sumptuous luxury of the Boardroom.
Flexible event spaces
From our private meeting rooms upstairs, to larger spaces in The Library or Garden Room, The Oakfield can cater to meetings of all sizes. Inspire your team in state-of-the-art meeting rooms, or let the stunning surroundings of the zoo impress your clients.
Key Features
- Three separate meeting rooms of varying capacity:
| Setup | Boardroom | Classroom | U-shape | Theatre |
| Dove Suite | 18 | 18 | 18 | 48 |
| Magnolia Suite | 14 | 16 | 10 | 30 |
| Redwood Suite | 14 | 12 | 14 | 25 |
- 75″ TV screens with laptop connectivity
- WiFi
- Large windows looking out over the zoo
- Hire one room or all at once as breakout spaces
- Kitchen area giving you access to refreshments
- A variety of catering options – from working lunches to sit-down
- Talks and tours available from zoo keepers
If you’re looking for a larger, outdoor space then you’ll love Manado Street Kitchen, our authentic South East Asian themed space located in Islands.
Feel free to contact our dedicated team to discuss your requirements on 01244 650 209 or email events@chesterzoo.org and arrange a visit with Chester Zoo today.
We’d like to thank you for considering Chester Zoo at a potential venue for your business or organisation. Did you know that all proceeds contribute to the zoo’s conservation work? By choosing us you are helping to protect wildlife in the UK and around the world – Amazing!
Enquiries
Complete the form below to make an enquiry and a member of our team will be in touch with you soon to discuss your event in more detail. Feel free to talk to our events team on 01244 650 209.
