Description

The Oakfield is set in a stunning property at the heart of Chester Zoo, making this a truly unique contemporary British pub.

In July 2018 the zoo opened the doors to this beautiful building following a £3m refurbishment, restoration and expansion of Chester Zoo founder, George Mottershead’s historic family home.

They’ll be serving freshly prepared locally sourced food and hand-picked beers, wines and spirits.  The building has been lovingly restored and the new garden room offers incredible views of the zoo’s award winning gardens.

The Oakfield’s Executive Head Chef, Ben Finchett – who has worked as the Head Chef at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse – brings a tasty selection of seasonal courses to the restaurant, each made using locally sourced ingredients. Ben says:

“I feel the zoo really wants to create a good experience for guests, and I’m really pleased to be a part of that at The Oakfield.   For me, it’s so much more than cooking the food, it’s thinking about all the other things that go alongside it to give that quality experience for our visitors.

“I hope visitors will go away and say they’ve tried something new.  There aren’t many places you can go and have some food and then go for a beautiful walk afterwards and look at tigers, orangutans and bears!  So hopefully, the experience of being at the zoo will be something a bit different.”

The Oakfield is where the Chester Zoo story really began – when founder, George Mottershead and his family took up residence in the early 1930s.  The house is full to the brim with history, and if the walls could talk it would tell you some wonderful and unique tales!

As you enjoy your food and drink you can imagine the many different animals The Oakfield has had within it, including lions, bears, chimps and birds as the family took care of the grounds and wonderful wildlife within it.

Normal zoo admission applies.

We are happy to announce we now offer wedding packages, check out our brochure here.

We are Proud to be a Sustainable Palm Oil Champion.

Once you get onto the A41, from whichever direction, simply stay on that road until you reach a roundabout with a large wooden ark on it. From there follow the signs into the zoo. Sat Navs get confused so please ignore them once you get onto the A41! Do not turn down Flag Lane North as it is a dead end.

Buy a combination ticket from your local train station at the same time as your rail ticket and it includes your return bus link from Chester station to the zoo AND your zoo admission in one discounted price.

Bus FROM CHESTER:
You can take the Number 1 service from Chester Bus Exchange.
View Number 1 timetable
or
the X8 bus links Chester Station to Chester Zoo.
View the X8 timetable here

FROM LIVERPOOL:
You can take the Number 1 service.
View Number 1 timetable
or
you can take the X8 service (it has fewer stops and is quicker).
View the X8 timetable here

If you are visiting the zoo from Bradford, Leeds or Manchester you can travel on a daily service with National Express.