Dates

• Existence: Established 7 July 1987

Biography

Chessington World of Adventures Resort is a theme park, zoo, sea life centre and hotel complex in Chessington, Surrey, England. The complex sits on the grounds of the Burnt Stub mansion, which was originally built in 1348.

Chessington first opened as a zoo in 1931, with the theme park being added in the 1980s by its new owners, The Tussauds Group. The theme park was one of the first to open in the UK on 7 July 1987.

The zoo and theme park continue to operate together in the twenty first century, operating over forty rides and caring for more than 1,000 animals and are currently owned by Merlin Entertainments Ltd., following its merger with The Tussauds Group in 2007. Merlin Entertainments also owns Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, and Madame Tussauds, and is the second largest entertainment operator in the world.

The theme park is divided into areas loosely styled on a range of world cultures, including Adventure Point, Mexicana, Pirates' Cove, Wild Woods, Forbidden Kingdom, Land of the Tiger and Wild Asia. Major attractions include Vampire, Dragon's Fury, KOBRA, Scorpion Express, Zufari: Ride into Africa! and The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure.

The site also operates a programme of annual events including Animal Adventures, Roar & Explore, Howl'o'ween, and Winter's Tail.

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