Colchester Zoo opens at 9.30 am all through the week. However, its closing time varies with the season.

During the peak season of April to October, the zoo closes at 4.30 pm on weekdays, and on weekends it remains open till 5 pm.

During the rest of the year, the wildlife attraction closes at 3.30 pm on weekdays and 4 pm on weekends.

Depending on the crowd, the zoo may close 30 minutes before the scheduled closing time of the day.

The last admission is an hour before the Colchester Zoo closes.

The Zoo Colchester remains closed on Christmas.

All of the above dates and closing times are subject to change, so you should confirm the timings of Colchester Zoo on their official website.

Best time to visit

If you want to see the animals at their most active behavior, the best time to visit Colchester Zoo is as soon as they open at 9.30 am.

As the day progresses and the temperature increases, animals move to shady parts of their enclosure to rest.

Timed tickets

When you book Colchester Zoo tickets, you only select the visit date and not the time.

You can be at the museum any time during the day.

However, getting early to the zoo gives you ample space and time to cover each exhibit.

The animal enclosures get crowded as the day progresses.

Once inside, guests can explore the wildlife exhibits for as long as possible – there is no time limit.