A play area at Colchester Zoo is set to be closed for a week while a deep clean takes place. 

The Jungle Tumble area at the Maldon Road attraction reopened to the public in July.

The play area had been closed during the pandemic whilst coronavirus restrictions have remained in place.

Changes were made at the play area before the reopen.

As part of maintenance and a deep clean the area will be closed from Monday September 27 to Friday October 1. 

A zoo spokesman said: "Please be aware that our soft play complex, Jungle Tumble, will be closed from Monday 27th September – Friday 1st October 2021 due to annual maintenance work and a thorough deep clean.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused but this short closure is vital for us to be able to offer the high standard facility which we strive to offer.

"Please be assured that we will keep our website and social media up to date with any changes to this notice.

"Thank you for your patience and understanding."

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Anyone wanting to use the play area has to get a timed slot ticket. 

Each slot is 45 minutes long with the first available at 10.30am.

Here are the zoo's rules for the play area:

  • You must book your children’s tickets via our website ahead of your visit, this includes those with Zoo Passes and under 3s.
  • Visitors can only book one play session per day, with visitors advised to only book if they are able to attend the session.
  • The team may ask you to queue ahead of your time slot if you arrive early.
  • Each child’s ticket should then be presented to our team to scan on entry, via a mobile device or a print out.
  • When your child’s session is nearly up, our team will give a 5 minute warning asking children to leave the play area and put on their shoes.
  • Session time includes times to remove shoes and get ready to leave.
  • Socks MUST be worn to enter the play area.