Simon Lockhart, Food and Beverage General Manager at Chester Zoo 

Christmas at Chester Zoo is already unique due to its incredible surroundings and inhabitants, but this year we’re even more fortunate to have additional festive cheer! 

With the opening of our newly refurbed pub, The Oakfield, we are all really looking forward to our guests enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, in the surroundings of a traditionally decorated manor house. 

The big spectacle we are all looking forward to is ‘Lanterns’ which starts at the end of November and runs throughout December and is magical for all the family. Whilst it’s an incredible experience for all the family, we’ve made sure that there is plenty to eat along the way and you have a choice of Christmas dinner at Bembe kitchen, Christmas sliders and a drink at The Oakfield or a festive hog roast with other exciting treats at our mini market experience half way around. We’ll also be selling Bratwursts, Burgers, Seasonal hot Pies, Christmas churros and drinks. But my favourite is the Chester Zoo Christmas Burrito – an Xmas roast wrapped in a Yorkshire pudding! 

After a busy December, I genuinely look forward to Christmas morning with my three children. After all the presents are opened I get myself into the kitchen where the aprons are thrown on, and the little ones get involved in ‘helping’ me get the food ready. This is well-intentioned but usually disastrous so I end up gently encouraging them to learn how to open a bottle of Rioja instead. Under adult supervision of course! 

The Oakfield at Chester Zoo

t: 01244 389710 | w: theoakfield.org

Opening Times | Monday - Sunday : 10am - 4pm

Christmas Lunch is available Monday 26 November until Sunday 23 December

To Enquire & Book e: events@chesterzoo.org