This year we decided to get annual passes to Colchester Zoo, and as a family with four daughters, it’s turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made. It’s reasonably local to us, easy to get to, and for what looks like a fairly compact zoo from the outside, it’s absolutely packed with things to do.
If you’re wondering whether Colchester Zoo is worth a visit - or even worth the annual pass - here’s our honest take.
First Impressions: Small but Mighty
Colchester Zoo has this lovely balance of feeling compact and walkable, yet somehow full of animals, play areas, and indoor spaces. You never feel like you’re trekking for miles (a blessing with little legs), but you also never feel like you’ve “done it all” in one visit.
Even after multiple trips, we still feel like we’ve got so much more to see.
Play Areas Everywhere (And They’re Actually Good!)
One of the biggest surprises for us has been the quality and quantity of play areas. They’re dotted all around the zoo, which is perfect for breaking up the walking and keeping the kids excited. Pretty sure we still haven’t played in all of them!
And importantly, they’re in good condition, fun and suit a range of ages. It means the day naturally flows between animals, play, snacks, and more animals - ideal for my younger two.
The Soft Play: A Brilliant 45‑Minute Break
Colchester Zoo has a great soft play, and it’s become one of our favourite parts of the day.
You do need to book a slot, but once you’re in, it’s free for both day visitors and annual pass holders. It’s clean, well‑run, and a perfect way to let the kids burn off energy (or warm up on a cold day). It’s got both a baby and toddler section as well as an older kids section.
For us, it’s become a must‑do every visit.
Lots of Indoor Enclosures - Perfect for Wet Days
One thing that sets Colchester Zoo apart from many others is just how much of it is indoors.
There are:
- Indoor walkthroughs
- Indoor viewing areas
- Covered paths
- Enclosed habitats
This makes it a genuinely good option on wet or unpredictable weather days - something you don’t always get with zoos. You can still see loads without getting drenched.
Food Options: Better Than Expected (With a Few Hits and Misses)
Before our first visit, I braced myself for expensive, mediocre zoo food - but Colchester Zoo surprised me.
We haven’t visited many food outlets at the zoo but Southern Kitchen was great. Tasty food, decent portions, and it came recommended by a friend too. One of the small outlets selling sausages in rolls wasn’t our favourite. Not awful, just not something we’d rush back to. The prices were not as expensive as we expected, especially with annual pass discounts on food and in the shop. A really nice perk.
The Train Ride
The little train is a lovely addition. The kids absolutely loved it - waving, pointing things out, feeling like it was a big adventure.
As an adult, I did think it was a bit short… but honestly, the children didn’t notice at all. They thought it was brilliant, and that’s what matters.
Annual Pass Perks
We’ve really enjoyed having annual passes this year. The perks include:
- Money off food outlets
- Discounts in the shop
- Free soft play
- Unlimited visits (ideal for short trips or half‑days)
It’s taken the pressure off “doing everything” in one go and made the zoo feel like an easy, low‑stress outing.
Still So Much to Explore
Even after several visits, we still feel like there’s more to see. More animals, more walkthroughs, more little corners we haven’t explored yet.
That’s the beauty of Colchester Zoo - it’s compact, but it’s full of depth. And with annual passes, we’re excited to keep going back throughout the year and update this review as we discover more.
Final Thoughts
Colchester Zoo has become one of our favourite family days out. It’s:
- Easy to navigate
- Packed with things to do
- Great in all weather
- Full of brilliant play areas
- Home to a fantastic soft play
- Surprisingly good value with an annual pass
If you’re local - or even semi‑local - it’s absolutely worth considering the annual pass. For us, it’s already paid for itself in happy days out, and we’re looking forward to many more visits this year.
