Nearly 33,000 children will be able to visit Chester Zoo for free.

This forms part of an organised educational visit between November 2025 and February 2026.

Supporting its mission to prevent extinction, the zoo is giving away free tickets for school children to explore conservation up close at Chester Zoo.

The scheme, which has ran since 2017, has seen 175,000 school children visit the zoo.

Whether its seeing the large collection of animals and plants or learning about conservation efforts, visiting the zoo can foster a lifelong connection with nature.

For the schools accessing the free ticket scheme, it gives them the opportunity to support their pupils to learn about incredible species whilst being inspired to take conservation action.

The zoo is giving away free tickets for school children to explore conservation up close at the zoo (Image via: Chester Zoo)

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so applicants are advised to complete the form early.

To apply for the scheme, complete this form by Friday 28 February 2025.

The zoo educators are passionate about educational reform by embedding conservation education, including issues such as climate change and sustainability into the curriculum.

With an increase in young people's awareness and desire to be involved in conservation campaigns, zoos and schools play an important role in championing their knowledge and give them a place to explore these topics in more depth.

Places are available for pupils from nursery age to year 13, for weekday visits between 3 November 2025 to 27 February 2026.

Tickets are available during the Cheshire West and Chester region, term time only.

Home educators are also eligible to apply as a group through a Home Educators' Network, as well as registered childminders following the early years curriculum.

There is a maximum capacity of bookings per day to avoid overcrowding and ensure every child and visitor is able to enjoy a safe and world class experience.

Application forms must be completed by a member of school staff and applications from parents on behalf of a school will not be accepted.

Schools who have received tickets through the scheme for the last four academic years (2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25) will not be eligible for this years allocation.