Is the zoo included in the Chessington ticket price?

Yes — the standard day ticket covers access to the theme park, zoo, and Sea Life centre. No separate zoo ticket is needed.

How far is Chessington from central London?

Chessington is about 12 miles southwest of central London, roughly 30-40 minutes by train from London Waterloo to Chessington South station.

What is the best time of year to visit Chessington?

Weekdays in May, June, or September offer the best balance of open rides and shorter queues. Peak summer holidays and school half-terms are the busiest and most expensive times.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort

Name: Chessington World of Adventures Resort
Address: London, UK, US
Telephone: 01372 731657
Rating: 4.1

1 / 5

Rating

4.1(31,085)

Family of 4

USD 150-220 for tickets; more with hotel or dining

Duration

Full day

Best Ages

3 and up

About

Chessington World of Adventures Resort, located about 12 miles southwest of central London, is one of the UK's most popular family days out and earns its reputation by delivering a genuinely full day of varied experiences under a single ticket price. The resort combines a theme park with multiple themed lands, a zoo with over 1,000 animals, and a Sea Life centre — all accessible on the standard day ticket. Theme park zones include Zufari (a safari-style open vehicle ride through animal enclosures), Forbidden Kingdom, Wild Asia, Transylvania, and Land of the Dragons, which is specifically designed for younger children with gentler rides and play areas.

The zoo holds gorillas, tigers, sea lions, meerkats, and more, adding genuine wildlife encounters to a day that might otherwise be purely rides and shows. The Sea Life centre adds sharks, rays, and tropical fish to the mix. This breadth is what makes Chessington stand out: families with children of very different ages and interests all find multiple things that engage them.

Queues are a reality at peak times — popular rides like Dragon Falls can have waits of 45-60 minutes on busy days. The Chessington app shows live queue times and helps families prioritize. Dining on site is expensive; packing a picnic to eat in designated areas reduces food costs meaningfully.

The hotel on site is pricey but allows early park entry, which makes a real difference to the experience.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Nursing / Changing

true

Kid Meals

true

Setting

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekdays in May, June, or September for shorter queues

Wait Times

Moderate to long on weekends and school holidays

Nearby Food

Multiple on-site restaurants and snack stands throughout the resort; Chessington town has additional options nearby

Why Kids Love It

Chessington combines a full theme park, zoo, and sea life centre in one ticket, making it extraordinary value for a full day out. Kids can ride roller coasters, see gorillas, and walk through a shark tunnel all in the same visit. The zoo element sets it apart from other theme parks and keeps the day fresh as kids move between very different types of experiences.

Pro Tips from Parents

Download the Chessington app and use live queue times to plan which rides to hit first
Pack a picnic — food inside the park is expensive and designated picnic areas exist
The Land of the Dragons area is ideal for younger children and tends to have shorter queues even on busy days

What to Bring

Pre-booked tickets on your phone or printed
Picnic lunch and snacks to cut food costs
Comfortable shoes and layers — you'll cover a lot of ground outdoors

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

USD 150-220 for tickets; more with hotel or dining

Tips to Save

Book online well in advance for the cheapest ticket prices; off-peak dates in spring and early autumn offer significant savings over peak summer pricing