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A pub at Chester Zoo has been ranked one of the top restaurants worldwide

The Oakfield at Chester Zoo has been ranked in the top 10% by Tripadvisor users.

Emily Sergeant - 18th August 2020

A pub located at the heart of Chester Zoo has picked up a huge Tripadvisor award after it was ranked in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide.

The Oakfield at Chester Zoo – which only opened doors two years ago – has been handed an esteemed 2020 Travellers’ Choice Award by the world’s largest travel website Tripadvisor, which is based on customer feedback submitted by users.

This accolade follows the loving refurbishment of the Grade II listed house, which was once home to the zoo’s founder George Mottershead, into the pub.

George and his family moved to The Oakfield in 1931 to begin building what is now the UK’s most visited zoo.

A pioneer of his time, George lived out his dream to create the world’s first ‘zoo without bars’, which would forever change the way that exotic animals are cared for.

From a family home, a tea room, an aquarium and now a contemporary British pub that celebrates the zoo’s rich heritage, visitors can to The Oakfield can relax in the Mottershead’s former library, or enjoy a meal in the rooms which were once part of the family home.

Speaking on the announcement of the award, Simon Lockhart – Chester Zoo’s Food and Beverage General Manager – said: “The Oakfield has only been open for two years, so to gain such a major accolade in this short space of time is a brilliant achievement, and what makes this award all the more special to us is that it’s based entirely on real opinions and genuine, honest feedback from our guests.

“The Tripadvisor team analyses thousands of reviews and ratings from travellers everywhere before handing out this honour – that’s why it means such an awful lot.

“I’m so proud of the team’s hard work and dedication to make our pub such an exceptional place for our guests. The Oakfield has retained the original details of the house to give it a real ‘home from home’ feeling, with precious family photos showing what the zoo was like at the very beginning. Rooted in history, it’s the real centrepiece of the zoo, where guests relax outside on the terrace and admire the beautiful grounds, or cosy up in front of the fire and enjoy the best freshly-prepared, locally-sourced food.

“The award has really given us a boost during what is a really challenging time for the zoo.

“The pandemic, and our long period of closure, has pushed our wonderful charity to the brink, but we’re so glad to have again been able to open our doors and continue to provide our guests with a fantastic dining experience with a difference.”

A trip to The Oakfield is worth more than just grabbing a pint and a bite to eat too.

Did you know that all of the revenue generated by The Oakfield supports the Chester Zoo’s crucial conservation work to protect endangered species from extinction?

It’s also a vital source of income for the charity zoo in its ongoing battle to protect its future.

The Oakfield is also taking part in the #EatOutToHelpOut scheme every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the remainder of August and you can get up to 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks as many times as you like.

Whilst walk-ins may be able to be accommodated, it’s always advised to make a reservation in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment.

All bookings can be made and more information / menus can be found via The Oakfield’s website here.