First look inside Chester Zoo’s stunning new wedding and events venue

The first images of a new wedding and events venue at Chester Zoo have been released.

The luxury 200-capacity venue, The Square, has opened following a three-year project to restore a Grade II listed stable block, which has stood at the heart of the zoo since it opened in 1931. The original structures were once home to some of the zoo’s first animals including lions, bears and chimpanzees.

Now, the historic building offers a unique setting for weddings, with couples able to tie the knot surrounded by 27,000 animals. The venue can also be booked exclusively for meetings and corporate events, while the zoo hopes it will go on to stage important global summits on wildlife conservation.

Featuring a host of preserved original features that tell the story of its remarkable history, the building boasts an impressive gated entrance, a large private courtyard, exposed brick walls, vaulted rafters and large windows overlooking newly created gardens. Many of the patterns and textures used throughout The Square draw inspiration from some of the endangered species the zoo is working to protect.

Zoo conservationists say income generated by every occasion held at The Square will contribute to the zoo’s charitable efforts to prevent extinction.

Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, said:

“There’s nothing else quite like this stunning new venue anywhere in the UK. It’s an incredible building that’s stood at the heart of the zoo for approaching a century and, through careful restoration, it’s now been brought to life. It’s a one-of-a-kind space which not only embodies the zoo’s rich history and character, but offers modern luxuries and comforts. And what’s more, who wouldn’t want to get married or have a company away day surrounded by 27,000 animals?

“Most importantly, each and every occasion that takes place at The Square will contribute to our charitable mission to prevent extinction, helping us to secure a brighter future for wildlife worldwide. That’s what makes our new venue incredibly special and we can’t wait to start welcoming people to it.”

The Atrium, the main event room inside The Square, can accommodate 200 guests while three other reception and breakout rooms take the total capacity of the building to 380. Each of the rooms can be used independently or used in combination, giving the building the flexibility to be able to host any type of event, large or small.

To book, find out more or to enquire about a wedding or event at The Square visit: 

www.chesterzoo.org/thesquare

About The Square:

• The Square is a special, one-of-a-kind space that preserves the zoo’s rich history and character, while also adding a modern twist to its interior that showcases the zoo’s plans for a more sustainable future
• Income generated by every event taking place at The Square will contribute to the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent extinction, helping zoo conservationists to secure a brighter future for wildlife right across the world
• The main event room is planned to have a capacity of 200 while reception and breakout rooms brings the total capacity of the building to 380

Chester Zoo:

• Chester Zoo is a world-leading conservation and education charity that’s committed to preventing extinction and dedicated to raising awareness of key conservation and environmental challenges
• The zoo’s 128-acre site in Chester, which is home to more than 27,000 animals and more than 500 species, is where this species-saving work is made possible
• As a not-for-profit, the zoo ploughs everything into its conservation mission, both here in the UK and around the world
• It works with more than 3,000 species globally, including 140 international animal conservation breeding programmes, which are ensuring the survival of species on the very brink of extinction. It’s also home to five national plant collections, comprising of more than 1,000 species
• Experts from the zoo are recognised by governments and NGOs across the world as leaders within the global conservation community. Currently, the zoo is saving species on behalf of the Bermudan, Spanish and Portuguese governments, among others
• The zoo works with over 100 partners in more than 20 countries to recover threatened wildlife and restore habitats, including orangutans in Bornean rainforests, elephants and tigers in Indian grasslands, lemurs and frogs in Malagasy forests, rare fish in Mexican lakes and a host of species here in the UK
• The zoo influences policy both in the UK and internationally, forcing governments worldwide to take action to halt the biodiversity crisis
• It’s millions of annual visitors and huge online communities are part of the educational, scientific and conservation jigsaw, empowering them to be part of solutions for wildlife, creating a future where nature can survive and thrive
• Chester Zoo lives and breathes conservation – from its animal and plant care, to its scientific breakthroughs, to its policy work and its vital role in inspiring and educating people about the natural world and the impact humans have on it – creating and nurturing the conservationist in us all.