A night in Chester…a bargain stay near Chester Zoo!

J was off in Krakow for the weekend on a stag do (lucky him!), so I decided to take the kids on a little adventure of our own. Obviously, I brought my mum along—I’m not that brave! 😅

I’d never been to Chester Zoo before, and since it was only about a 2-hour drive away, it seemed like the perfect getaway. Plus, I found an amazing deal on a YHA hostel just 10 minutes from the zoo. So, off we went! One night away, a fun zoo day, and plenty of wholesome memories made. Here’s how it went…

Saturday Afternoon: The Road Trip Begins 🚗

We picked up my mum and set off on our adventure. The drive started off well—Ray Ray was happily singing along to songs, and baba was mostly content. But, of course, about 30 minutes before we arrived, he decided he’d had enough and let us all know with some serious crying. Can’t really blame him… we’d had a stressful morning (nothing major, just mum life!) and I was starting to feel the exhaustion too! By the time we pulled up, I was very ready for a large glass of Pinot Grigio.

But wow—the hostel definitely exceeded my expectations! It’s a beautiful Georgian building surrounded by peaceful countryside. Ray Ray was thrilled to spot horses in the nearby fields! We stayed in one of the eco-chalets behind the main building, which had lovely gardens and—most importantly—a bunk bed. (She was very excited!)

Saturday Evening: A bargain dinner & a “midnight feast”

After dropping off our bags, we headed to the bar for dinner. The food? Delicious and affordable. But the best part? When staying at the hostel kids eat for £1. An absolute steal! Ray Ray’s pasta bowl was practically the size of her head.

Then it was back to our room for our ‘slumber party’—which basically meant some games in bed and an ultra-luxurious midnight feast* (*a few biscuits at 8 PM) , but hey, it’s the experience that counts! She LOVED it. 😆

Once the kids were asleep, my mum and I faced the one downside of all sharing a room: sitting silently in the dark until morning. 😂 I passed the time with some headphones and Love Is Blind on my phone (if you know, you know!).

📸Mission accomplished! ☝️

Sunday Morning: Early Starts & Epic Breakfasts 🍳

Baby boy was up bright and early at 5:50 AM (yay). I tried to keep him entertained quietly, but by 6:30, we were all awake and getting ready for breakfast.

And let me tell you—breakfast did not disappoint. It was unlimited (love that for us) with both cooked and continental options. Obviously, I went for the full English! Ray Ray, meanwhile, treated herself to a three-course breakfast—sausages, hash browns, baked beans, a pain au chocolat, and then some Weetabix because, apparently, she was still hungry?! 😆

Our stay including breakfast for the three of us was only £61. An absolute bargain. I’d 100% stay again—plus, I found out there’s loads to do in the area besides the zoo. I might have to plan a return trip! My mum even pointed out that it’s a great stop-off point for us (in Harrogate) if you’re heading to Snowdonia, which is an area we love to visit… so that’s an idea for the future!

Sunday: Chester Zoo Adventures 🐘

After breakfast, we got ready and set off for the zoo—just a quick 10-minute drive away. Perfect!

We had a great time wandering around, seeing all the animals, and clocking up 13,000 steps (hello, accidental workout!). Ray Ray loved the zip line and baba’s highlight was definitely the sloth! The biggest disappointment was that the tigers were feeling shy, so we only caught a glimpse of a disappearing tail. 😅

Seeing as the food at these places is always overpriced, we packed a picnic using the self-catering facilities at the hostel. Having now seen the quality of the food that was on offer… this was a good call!

By 4 PM, the zoo was closing, so we hopped back in the car and made a pit stop at Chester services for a quick McDonald’s before the drive home. And my master plan worked—after a few rounds of Taylor Swift singalongs, both kids fell asleep, making for a peaceful journey back. 🎶😴

Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?

Chester Zoo? It was fine, but I don’t feel like I need to go back again. The hostel, though? I’d absolutely return! I can only imagine how gorgeous it must be in summer—perfect for picnics and exploring the grounds.

If you’re ever in the area and need an affordable, family-friendly place to stay, I highly recommend YHA Chester Trafford Hall. Here’s the link if you’re curious:

👉 YHA Chester Trafford Hall | Cheap Chester accommodation | YHA

Until next time!

Love, Katie x