Oakfield Manor
George Mottershead bought Oakfield Manor for £3,500 in 1930. The Victorian house still stands at the heart of the zoo, and today it is home to The Oakfield, the zoo’s pub.
Opening day
The zoo opened to the public on 10 June 1931, run by Mottershead and his family. His aim was a zoo without the traditional Victorian iron bars.
A conservation charity
Chester Zoo is run by the North of England Zoological Society, a registered charity. Outside the main zoo, a nature reserve opened in April 2018 and is free to enter.


