Santa experience very good. We all enjoyed and Santa talked to each of the children. The magic sleigh ride in front of a screen was excellent. The Santa experience cost extra to the annual admission passes. It was a cold Dec day, we saw very few animals, they must have all been tucked up. I did wonder if the numbers had been reduced. I found the layout of the zoo very confusing and enclosed. I guess all the structures were to make it easier on the slopes. I found we were walking around in circles and didn't get where we wanted to. Better sign posting would be useful. The signs were there marked the area rather than the animals. Some signs for the most popular animals would have been better. Loads of food outlets and model animals and playgrounds. Free parking.

Great zoo, one of the best and well worth a visit, but more in warmer months. Staff are great welcoming and helpful, and there are so many animals to see. Being winter the animals are often tucked away, food stalls mostly shut, and a lick of varnish needed before the spring trade. Somehow our tickets were still full price at over £20 each which seems unfair for only 50% of the experience! I will wait for spring/ summer next time to get value for money.

Great day out. Loads to see, brilliant facilities and super helpful staff. Soft play is great if you have young kids (note you need to pre book). The place is a maze! The app is helpful although it’s location / direction facility is sometimes confusing. Animals are amazing. We went on New Year’s Day and lots of the food places were shut but those that were open were good. Would definitely recommend.

Haven't been for a few years, and wow you've worked hard to enhance the ZOO features. Its a great day out with excellent clean facilities. The animals look happy in their enclosures. The food huts served some lovely food we had sausages and chips good value. We was able to see all the animals even tho it was a little chilly. The gift shop was well stocked. Well done Colchester Zoo

Loved this zoo, the view of the animals was incredible and for a short person that’s amazing. Only downside was that not a lot of the cafes were open with it being winter so took us ages to find a cuppa. That being said the animals looked so well looked after and very happy in their environments so that was awesome to see, didn’t have much interaction with the staff so can’t comment on that but overall a very good experience and easily filled a day. Would definitely revisit.

Been to many zoo's over the years, this is a great zoo. Size is good enough so my little one (3 years old) could pretty much walk around the entirity of it without needing a pram. Weather was hit and miss, sun and heavy rain, but plenty of inside space to duck away in and avoid it. Along with keeping the little one entertained for enough time. The animals are all in great shape, there is clearly a lot of time and effort put into the welfare of the animals which is great to see. The enclosures are clean, the flow of people worked and never felt too crowded at any spots. Plenty of expansion work / improvements still ongoing which is good to see. Would happily visit again!

We haven't been here for about 8 years, and it is still as I remember - animals all over the place and very hilly in parts. The animals seemed all very well cared for and their enclosures seemed roomy ( I hope so anyway!). The Red pandas were adorable, the wolves were relaxed and beautiful, the train ride was good, but unfortunately due to the season we could not get close to the Ring tailed Lemur's which was a shame, but we did only pay 1/2 price for January, so not all bad. The staff were very friendly, but as usual the shop catered for kids too much, and I struggled to buy something (which I usually have no trouble with!!), which is a shame as it could sell so many better bits and bobs. Scored 4 only because of the hilly landscape.

Great value for money. Lots of animals to see and they all have good sized enclosures and looked health and happy. Very helpful and knowledgeable keepers. Good cafes with good range of food and drink. One of the best shops for a zoo. Happy 60th birthday. Look forward to going back.

Spent a cold but enjoyable day recently with my daughter and grand-daughter (3 and a half). Tigers, sea-lions, giraffes and white rhinos were the highlights. Friendly, well-informed staff made a big difference

Great day out so much to see and do. Loved being able to feed the goats and there was so many climbing areas that my grandson loved. He also loved jungle tumble which was well worth booking at no extra cost. Lovely to see all the different animals they all looked healthy and their homes very clean.