Rides, Animals & Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures is one of the UK’s most popular theme parks, set in 182 acres on the Surrey border. Originally opened in 1931 as a zoo, it expanded into a full theme park in 1987 and today combines thrilling rides with a renowned zoo housing over 1,000 animals. Themed areas such as Mexicana, Wild Asia and the Forbidden Kingdom offer coasters and family rides suited to a wide range of ages, while younger visitors enjoy the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure and Room on the Broom attraction.
The park’s zoo trail winds through sections dedicated to gorillas, sea lions, penguins and big cats. A Sea Life centre and Amazu treetop adventure playground add further variety. Chessington also operates two on-site hotels — the Safari Hotel and the Azteca Hotel — for families wanting to turn a day visit into a short break.
Planning Your Visit
Chessington is located just off the A243, roughly two miles from Chessington South railway station. The park operates seasonally from mid-February to early November, with special events at Halloween and Christmas. Online advance tickets are significantly cheaper than gate prices, and the Merlin Annual Pass covers unlimited entry. Height restrictions apply to some rides, so check the website before visiting with very young children. On-site parking is plentiful but charges apply.
