Accessibility Guide
All the information detailed in our Accessibility Guide is to help you plan your visit. It is our attempt to let you know about the Zoo before you visit, providing as much information as we can, helping you to decide whether Colchester Zoological Society is right for you.
Wheelchair and Mobility Scooters
Colchester Zoological Society is set over 60 acres of land which is situated on naturally hilly terrain and therefore there are some steep areas to be mindful of when navigating through the park.
- Visitors are welcome to bring their own mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
- We do kindly ask that all users ensure they are using their equipment safely and securely whilst also being considerate of other visitors.
- When planning your route around the park, please use the CZS map or app where we have highlighted certain inclines so you can choose the right route for you to explore safely.
- Look out for the mobility aid access routes signed within the park to assist with a safe visit for all.
- Those using mobility scooters, we advise that you ensure you visit with a fully charged battery that can withstand 6hrs+ of use, or longer if visiting on an extended opening event day.
- Visitors who wish to use their own wheelchair/mobility scooter agree that they use this at their own risk and take full responsibility steering it.
- CZS is not liable for any damage or injury.
- Should you encounter any difficulty during your visit, please speak to the nearest available member of staff who will be more than happy to assist.
Assistance Dogs
At Colchester Zoological Society we understand how important your assistance dog is in supporting you during your visit.
We have a specific Assistance Dogs Accessibility Map: setting out our Code of Conduct for assistance dog owners, ensuring that all our visitors and our permanent animals have a safe and stress-free time.
No dogs are allowed on any part of the Zoo site including our car park – with the exception of guide and assistance dogs under specific conditions which can be found in our accessibility guide.
If you have a assistance dog we understand how important your assistance dog is in supporting you during your visit. We have a specific policy that helps us to ensure that all our visitors and our permanent animals have a safe and stress-free time.
You can download our full Assistance Dog Guide in ourAccessibility Guide.
Animal Experiences
We want everyone to have the opportunity to take part in our fantastic Animal Experiences and we will do all we can to make that possible. However, we do need your understanding that in some situations, and depending upon the specific needs of the guest, the species of animal and the accessibility of the animal habitat it may not be possible to make reasonable adjustments. If we are unable to provide a safe and enjoyable experience with the species you would prefer, we may be able to suggest alternatives.
To ensure smooth and safe experiences we ask you to contact us BEFORE booking so we can plan with you. This is important because if you do not let us know your needs prior to booking and then arrive for the experience, we may have to decline your visit if we assess that it is unsafe for you, our staff or animals. We want to avoid that disappointment for everyone concerned, not least because experiences, once booked, cannot be refunded.
