Chester Zoo has closed its doors on Friday, October 23, as strong winds from Storm Austen batter parts of the UK. The zoo announced the closure on its website, citing safety concerns for visitors and staff.
Closure Details and Ticket Extensions
In a statement, the zoo said: "With Storm Austen set to bring really strong winds, we’ve made the decision to close the zoo on Friday 23 October to help keep everyone safe." The zoo's animal teams will remain on site throughout the day to care for the animals.
Visitors with tickets booked for Friday 23 October do not need to take any action. The zoo has automatically extended these tickets until 31 December 2026, allowing visitors to choose a new date before then.
Our Story Bookings and Contact Information
For those with daytime or evening bookings for "Our Story with David Attenborough," rescheduling is available from Saturday 24 October. Guests should contact the guest services team on 01244 380280 or email guest.services@chesterzoo.org to rearrange their visit.
The zoo apologised for the disruption, stating: "We’re really sorry for any disruption to your plans, but we hope you understand." Further information is available on the Chester Zoo website.
Met Office Warning and Forecast
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds across Merseyside and other parts of the UK, in effect from 10am to 9pm on Friday, October 23. The alert reads: "A spell of strong winds, touching gales at times, associated with Storm Austen may bring some localised impacts."
Hour-by-hour forecasts for Liverpool show wind speeds peaking at 50mph around 5pm, with moderate rain expected through the afternoon and evening. The weather is expected to ease later in the night.
