Feeding time! Here's how Chester Zoo's new onsite pub shapes up

Understatements don’t come much more blatant.

Welcoming more than 1.86 million visitors a year, it is the most visited zoo in the UK and home to over 21,000 animals.

It is also England’s most visited tourist attraction outside London, according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA)

And last year it was named the UK’s best zoo and the third best zoo in the world by users of travel website, TripAdvisor.

As if it needed a helping hand, this summer’s heatwave appears to have seen visitor numbers soar further – and now they even have a new onsite pub to relax in.

Two of our reporters made the trip to the zoo yesterday (Thursday) to check out the The Oakfield – the former home of the zoo’s founder George Mottershead.

During the First World War it was used as a hospital for Belgian refugees, before Mr Mottershead, who had served in The Battle of The Somme, bought it in 1930 with a view to opening the first ‘zoo without bars’ with animal welfare at its heart.

The grade II listed building has just undergone a £3 million refurbishment allowing visitors to enjoy food and drink in the rooms which were once both a family home and the functioning centre of the zoo.

The Oakfield Pub at Chester Zoo.

A glance at the menu reveals prices that are more ‘restaurant’ than ‘pub’ but customers can rest assured that portion sizes are decent and, perhaps more importantly, profits will be pumped back into the zoo’s vital conservation work worldwide.

Here’s what our reporters made of the experience:

Chief reporter Steve Creswell said: “We couldn’t have picked a better day for a trip to the zoo as the weather was scorching and the place was buzzing.

“We were shown to our table in the glass garden room, which had a lovely summery feel to it, and the service from start to finish was superb.

“I plumped for a starter of grilled Formby asparagus, poached egg and hollandaise [£6.75] which was light and delicious with a perfect yolk.

"For my main I chose the intriguing Cheshire honey glazed pork belly, stir fried greens, rice, plum and sesame [£14.95]. This was the standout course for me – a kind of deconstructed Chinese dish which was packed with flavour with pork that was melt-in-the-mouth perfection.

“My dessert of summer pudding with vanilla pod ice-cream [£6.75] marked the ideal end to my meal - cold and fruity enough to cool anyone down on a hot day!

“Overall, the experience was fantastic and I’d recommend anyone visiting the zoo to give it a try, not only for the great food but also for the chance to interact with a fascinating part of the zoo’s history.”

Newsdesk journalist Matt Warner said: “I was spoilt for choice with the impressive list of starters. I asked our waitress for a recommendation out of my short-list of the duck liver parfait and the crispy cod cheeks, which turned out to be her two favourites.

“I went for the crispy cod cheeks, priced at £7.25, which were served with fennel and kohlrabi slaw and radish. For a starter the portion was generous without being too much and the really complemented the crispy battered cod, which flaked away at the merest touch from my fork.

“Again, the main course menu is varied and it was reassuring to see the wares of local producers, like Dave Joinson, featured among the ingredients. There is even a vegan option, which I know would please many of my friends.

“They will have to taste for themselves though as I went for the 10oz ribeye steak, supplied by Rowlands Red Poll beef of Mickle Trafford, coincidently the most expensive item on the menu at £24.95.

“The waitress asked how I would like the steak cooked and I opted for medium rare, which really brought out the flavour of the top quality cut of meat. But for those who prefer their steak well done, there are chicken, pork and even rabbit options on the menu.

“Alongside the steak, my plate was crammed with proper chips, tomatoes, flat mushrooms and some of the best onion rings I have tasted – large, crispy and golden with no hint of grease.

“All served with béarnaise sauce, the whole package was an impressive elevation of a familiar classic.

“After the hefty main course, I opted for a light and refreshing option for pudding, although the dark chocolate and walnut brownie is on my to list for my next zoo visit.

“The £6.25 coconut syllabub with poached pineapple with mint and pink peppercorns was a suitably exotic ending to the meal given our surroundings.”

For more information visit www.chesterzoo.org