NEW close-up contact centre!

Our new animal interaction centre is now open for visitors to enjoy! Open on a daily basis from 10.30am - 5pm this contact centre is a place for visitors to get up close with animals as well as being used as a classroom facility for school workshops.

Colchester Zoo believes it is important for visitors to be able to interact and get up close to different species, learn more about them and connect with nature.

The new area allows you to engage with your senses as you get the opportunity to SEE how exotic snakes and other reptiles are adapted to their environment, as well as rabbits and tortoises. You can also use your super senses to TOUCH, SMELL, LISTEN and ultimately discover the differences between the animals that you meet here.

The development began in 2014 and saw the transformation of an off show area into a new visitors centre which opened during July 2014.