This week zoos and safari parks were given the go ahead to reopen from next week and demand for tickets to Knowsley Safari Park and Chester Zoo has been huge.
Family outdoor attractions were temporarily closed in March but Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the news they had been hoping for in an update this week.
Providing safety measures are in place, attractions including Chester Zoo and Knowsley Safari can reopen from Monday, June 15.
His announcement was greatly received by Chester Zoo who had launched a campaign to ‘Save our zoo’, after admitting it was desperately worried about its future.
Many families are looking forward to visiting the attractions from next week and demand for tickets is high. To stick to social distancing guidelines, both Chester Zoo and Knowsley Safari Park are limiting the amount of visitors allowed in at any one time, meaning everyone has to book in advance, including people who have a membership.
Here’s how to book your visit:
Knowsley Zoo
Tickets for Knowlsey Safari Park went on sale today and demand is so great some people are having trouble getting through to the website.
The safari park tweeted customers to say: "We'll be back up and running soon. We know everyone is excited about booking a safari visit but our website has crashed with the demand and we are working hard to get all issues resolved this morning.Thank you for your patience!"
Everyone who would like to visit the safari park, including members and NHS staff who are able to visit for free, must book a time slot in advance.
A booking reference number will be issued which you then take with you and read out at the arrival kiosks, within your allocated time.
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Hygiene stations, Perspex screens and one way systems are in place to help people stay safe.
When the news was announced that they could reopen, Knowsley Safari park sent a message to customers saying: “Thank you again for your amazing support over the last week, we wouldn’t have had the brilliant news that we can reopen without your help.”
How to book tickets: Visit the website to make your booking. Bookings must be made for all visits to the safari park can control the number of people visiting at any one time, and stick to social distancing guidelines.
Chester Zoo
Tickets went on sale for Chester Zoo yesterday demand was so great that the zoo had to stop taking bookings. It has now put out an announcement to say that more tickets will be released soon, so keep checking its website to be in with a chance of booking.
In a post on the Chester Zoo Facebook page, a spokesperson said: “We’re over the moon that so many of you are excited about coming to see us - we really have missed you!
“The unprecedented demand for tickets today has been simply off the charts - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Please don’t worry though if you weren’t able to grab one this time - LOADS more tickets will be released very, very soon.
“We just have to take careful, little steps to make sure you all have a super safe and great day with us, and we’d massively appreciate it if you could please bear with us.
“We’re working our little socks off to get through the mountain of messages and emails. We promise we’ll get back to each and every one of you as soon as we possibly can.
“We’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times, but we really mean it so we’ll say it again... your love and support means the world to us. You really are SAVING OUR ZOO.”
How to book tickets: More tickets will be available here in due course. Those who’d like to visit are urged to keep checking back. Bookings must be made here even if you have an existing membership. If you have a pre-purchased ticket that you’ve yet to use, you must also book your place via the website to let the zoo know you’re coming.
