One of the best gastropubs in the world was once home to lions, bears and chimpanzees

One of the best gastropubs in the world will now be open to more customers.

Chester Zoo's award-winning gastro pub, The Oakfield, has extended its opening hours due to "phenomenal demand." Traditionally, visitors to the zoo could only head to the pub during the conservation charity’s normal opening times.

However, the pub is now open to the public without a zoo ticket on Fridays and Sundays. Customers can dine and drink in the Grade II listed building, which once housed some of the zoo's very first animals including lions, bears, chimpanzees, pelicans, parrots and even an aquarium.

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The Oakfield was first built as a Victorian country house in approximately 1884. During the First World War it was used as a hospital for Belgian refugees, before George Mottershead, who had himself served in The Battle of The Somme during the First World War, bought the house in 1930 with a view to opening the first “zoo without bars” with animal welfare at its heart.

The zoo’s Founder, George lived in the house and it was a family home before being repurposed into a tea room and an aquarium, before transforming into the contemporary British pub it is now. Since opening in 2018, The Oakfield has gone on to win a host of prestigious accolades, from regional Taste Cheshire Awards to the international Traveller’s Choice Awards hosted by TripAdvisor – with the pub ranked in the world’s top 10% of restaurants.

Chloe Gill, food and beverage operations manager of The Oakfield at Chester Zoo, said: "Our Friday evening trial proved to be super popular. So, in response to the phenomenal demand we’ve had, and as we head into summer months and begin to enjoy lighter evenings, we’re thrilled to extend our opening hours to include not just Fridays but Sunday evenings too.

"Our guests can enjoy our sun garden while taking in the sights and sounds of nature, brimming with bird song and the majestic roars of lions in the distance - all while knowing every sip of their drink or bite of their food supports our charity, helping to create a brighter future where wildlife thrives."

Doors will be open every Friday and Sunday evening from 5pm – 11pm, with pub visitors able to access The Oakfield via the zoo’s new events entrance on Caughall Road in Upton (entrance and parking postcode CH2 1LP). More information and reservations can be made at www.theoakfield.org

About Friday and Sunday nights at The Oakfield

Sunday evenings

• First Sunday opening will be Sunday 12 May

• Doors open at 5pm

• Last food bookings taken at 19:30

• Menu features Sunday roasts as well as classic pub dishes such as The Oakfield steak burger, battered fish and chips and sausage and mash

• Drinks served until 10pm

• Walk ins accepted or book online at www.theoakfield.org

Friday evenings

• Doors open at 5pm

• Last food bookings taken at 20:45

• Menu features the likes of Welsh black ribeye steak, braised lamb shoulder and breaded aubergine with katsu curry sauce

• Walk ins accepted or book online at www.theoakfield.org

Get a free National Trust pass worth up to £50 for your family day out this spring