Chessington Zoo was founded in 1931 by entrepreneur Reginald Goddard, a flight lieutenant in the Great War and managing director of his family's Battersea-based slate and slab firm. History dictates that he was driving past the site when he saw the house and land for sale. He had been looking for a place to house his collection of exotic animals and immediately put in an offer. On Tuesday 28th July 1931 animal enthusiast Reginald opened Chessington Zoo to allow the public to view his private animal collection, which consisted of some truly exotic species. Chessington Zoo soon became known for the many different types of entertainment on offer, which included a circus, a funfair and a miniature railway in addition to the Zoo. Adverts from the era tell of Joey the tightrope walking monkey, bears’ tea parties, lions, elephants, tigers, leopards and hyenas. According to history, the zoo had over 200,000 visitors during the first season.