Chester Zoo is giving away nearly 33,000 free tickets to school children - here’s how you can apply

The initiative is open to nurseries, schools and colleges, with those who secure tickets having the opportunity to visit the wildlife conservation charity between November 2025 and February 2026.

Now in its eighth year, the scheme has already seen more than 175,000 children and young people benefit from a free visit to the zoo as part of an educational trip, with many of them visiting for the very first time.

Zoo educators say they are particularly keen to ensure that schools who face financial barriers to visiting the zoo benefit from the initiative – helping to spark a lifelong passion for saving species.

Charlotte Smith, Director of Conservation Education at Chester Zoo, said: “We’re offering thousands of children the opportunity to experience the wonders of the natural world first-hand at the zoo. 

"Young people are more concerned than ever about nature decline and climate change, and by working closely with schools across the UK, we can provide them with the skills, knowledge and inspiration to make a real positive difference.

“Every child has the potential to be a future conservationist. Through this scheme, we will have soon welcomed 200,000 children and young people for a free visit to the zoo.

"By doing this, we hope to inspire the conservationists of the future and spark alifelong passion for helping wildlife to thrive.”

Applications are open to any school in the UK that hasn’t already benefitted from the scheme within the last four academic years. Home educators are eligible to apply as a group through a Home Educators’ Network. 

Places are limited each day to ensure every child and visit or can enjoy their zoo visit with priority given to schools that have not benefitted from the scheme before.

To apply, educators should fill out and submit an application form on the zoo’s website by Friday, February 28 online at: chesterzoo.org/free-school-visit