London Zoo Introduction

London Zoo opened on 27 April 1828 as the world's first scientific Zoo, and opened to the public in 1847. (I have heard London Zoo is so old it is actually where the word 'zoo' originates from.)

The zoo's focus is on conservation and it has one of the largest collections in the UK with 806 species of animals (19,178 individuals). It has many long-term breeding programs as well as extensive education programs.

 

Do note, there are no elephants at London Zoo as they have all been moved to Whipsnade Wildlife Park (outside of London) where they have better facilities for such animals.

Decimus Burton was the Zoo's official architect from 1826 to 1841 and laid out the grounds which includes some iconic architecture. Burton also designed Wellington Arch and The Temperate House at Kew Gardens. Many other leading architects have since contributed to the built environment of the zoo, creating a collection of buildings that includes two Grade I and eight Grade II listed structures.

ZSL London Zoo is constantly improving and adding new exhibits to give the animals more space and visitors a better understanding of the way the animals live. Instead of rows of cages there are more 'walk through' exhibits with the animals free to explore such as Rainforest Life, Meet the Monkeys, and In With The Lemurs.

London Zoo is run by The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.

World's First Aquarium
The world's very first aquarium opened at London Zoo in 1853. They actually invented the word 'aquarium' - a shortening of 'aquatic vivarium', the old name for a fish enclosure. The aquarium was moved to its current large building in 1924. It has three big halls and is 150 yards long.

London Zoo has been used as a Harry Potter Film Location in London.

1. London Zoo Introduction
2. London Zoo Opening Hours
3. How To Get to London Zoo
4. London Zoo Ticket Information
5. London Zoo Visitor Facilities
6. London Zoo Daily Events
7. London Zoo Access
8. London Zoo Highlights
9. London Zoo Photos
10. London Zoo Old Penguin Pool Photos

London Zoo Opening Hours

London Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas Day (25 December).

Opening times do vary throughout the year and are often extended for bank holidays.
Check the London Zoo website for the latest openings times.

Open: 10am
Close: 4-6pm
Last admission is one hour before the advertised closing time.

Occasionally, London Zoo opens in the evenings for Zoo Nights. Check the London Zoo website 'What's On' section for details.

1. London Zoo Introduction
2. London Zoo Opening Hours
3. How To Get to London Zoo
4. London Zoo Ticket Information
5. London Zoo Visitor Facilities
6. London Zoo Daily Events
7. London Zoo Access
8. London Zoo Highlights
9. London Zoo Photos
10. London Zoo Old Penguin Pool Photos

How to Get to London Zoo

Address:
ZSL* London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY

* (Zoological Society London.)

Tel: 020 7722 3333

Official Website:www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo

Nearest Tube Station: Camden Town (15 minute walk)

• Walk up Parkway until you reach Prince Albert Road.
• Turn right and walk past the Feng Shang Princess (Floating Chinese Restaurant) on your left) and continue until you reach the traffic-light controlled pedestrian crossing.

• Cross and walk over the Regent's Canal footbridge (St. Mark's Bridge).
• Turn right and London Zoo is a minute away on the left-hand side.

For details of alternative public transport routes and a map of the area see the London Zoo website: How to Find Us.

Use Journey Planner or the Citymapper app to plan your route by public transport.

1. London Zoo Introduction
2. London Zoo Opening Hours
3. How To Get to London Zoo
4. London Zoo Ticket Information
5. London Zoo Visitor Facilities
6. London Zoo Daily Events
7. London Zoo Access
8. London Zoo Highlights
9. London Zoo Photos
10. London Zoo Old Penguin Pool Photos

London Zoo Ticket Information

You can book Skip the Line London Zoo tickets through Viator.

How To Save Money on London Zoo Tickets

1. Buy a London Pass which covers entrance charges to lots of top attractions for a set fee.
   Find out about the London Pass. | Buy a London Pass (Buy Direct).
    
2. Check leaflets about London Zoo at other major attractions and London hotels as they can have money off coupons.
    
3. Ticket prices include a small voluntary donation towards the conservation projects. You can opt out and save the money.
    

1. Buy A Gift often have discounted London Zoo tickets for online booking.

Gate Prices:
London Zoo peak prices in 2015 are:

• Adult: £27
• Child (3-15): £19
• Children under 3: FREE

Online Booking Tip: If you book online through the official website the payment card used to purchase the e-ticket must be shown to collect the tickets. If you need to use someone else's card then buy Gift Tickets for the same price.

Queuing Tip: The queues for tickets are usually long so be prepared to wait, or buy in advance (see above). Another frustration is if you go with a friend who doesn't have a ticket and you already have your ticket, then you have to join different queues to enter. Really, I've found they won't let you in the wrong entrance even if you have waited in line and have a ticket in your hand!

1. London Zoo Introduction
2. London Zoo Opening Hours
3. How To Get to London Zoo
4. London Zoo Ticket Information
5. London Zoo Visitor Facilities
6. London Zoo Daily Events
7. London Zoo Access
8. London Zoo Highlights
9. London Zoo Photos
10. London Zoo Old Penguin Pool Photos

London Zoo Visitor Facilities

Also see Access Information.

Toilets
There are lots of toilets throughout the zoo complex. The busiest are usually nearest the entrance and at the Oasis Cafe so try and head further into the Zoo to avoid queues.

Baby-Changing Facilities
All toilets have baby-changing stations including the men's toilets. On busy days I have seen plenty of men being sent in to change the baby.

The Terrace Restaurant
At weekends, on bank holidays, and during UK school holidays, this large cafe is seriously busy.

Throughout the year it is best to try and have an early or late lunch. They serve a wide range of hot and cold food and plenty of healthy options. They offer a children's lunchbox which is very popular. For the younger visitors highchairs are available, plus there is a microwave available for warming baby food or milk.

There's also a smaller cafe next to the Old Penguin Pool and accessible from Animal Adventure.

Playground
Opposite The Terrace Restaurant is a playground divided into under 5s and 5-14 year olds. This is a great space to let the kids go wild so you can enjoy your picnic lunch. There's a carousel too.

Gift Shops
The main gift shop is in Barclay Court near The Terrace Restaurant. They sell lots for all ages and price ranges, with plenty of 'pocket money' toys. There is another smaller shop near the Old Penguin Pool and Animal Adventure which is usually much quieter.
 

1. London Zoo Introduction
2. London Zoo Opening Hours
3. How To Get to London Zoo
4. London Zoo Ticket Information
5. London Zoo Visitor Facilities

1. London Zoo Daily Events
2. London Zoo Access
3. London Zoo Highlights
4. London Zoo Photos
5. London Zoo Old Penguin Pool Photos

London Zoo Daily Events

Important:
NEVER feed zoo animals as it can be dangerous and you can make them sick. All the animals are fed a diet that suits them individually so never offer them food. It is best to keep your food in a bag so as not to distract the animals.

Daily Live Events
There are lots of events every day at London Zoo so check your map and day planner upon arrival and see the Event's Board near the entrance. Times can vary but this will give you an idea:

11:15 Tropical Bird Tour
11:30 Megabugs Live! (B.U.G.S.)
12:00 Tigers Live!
12:30 Big Fish
13:30 Penguin Beach Live!
14:00 Going Underground
14:00 It's a Frog's Life
14:30 Rainforest Live!
15:00 Tigers Live!
15:00 Giraffe High Tea!
15:00 Spider Talk (B.U.G.S.)

Plus the Animals in Action Amphitheatre shows with birds and small animals are a great opportunity to see the animals out of cages.

• How To Find Out What's On
  Events are always popular so arrive early to get a good view. To find out what's on:
• check your free map day planner given on arrival
• see the Events Board, by the main entrance
• listen for public announcements

 

1. London Zoo Introduction
2. London Zoo Opening Hours
3. How To Get to London Zoo
4. London Zoo Ticket Information
5. London Zoo Visitor Facilities
6. London Zoo Daily Events
7. London Zoo Access
8. London Zoo Highlights
9. London Zoo Photos
10. London Zoo Old Penguin Pool Photos

Also see the Visitor Facilities page.

London Zoo is nearly 180 years old and contains many old buildings, 12 of which are 'listed' (must be preserved). However, most of the Zoo is accessible for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties.

Aquarium
Things have improved and there is now ramp access to the Aquarium on the side of the building. Use this route as your exit too as the main exit has steps.

Steep Slopes
The paths are generally tarmac and there is level or ramped access to most buildings but note the slopes leading to the two tunnels in the Zoo are rather steep.

Toilets for Disabled Visitors
Most toilet facilities throughout the Zoo include disabled facilities.

Wheelchairs
There are manual wheelchairs available at the Zoo entrance. There is no hire charge, but you pay a deposit, refunded on return of the wheelchair. It is strongly recommended that you book a wheelchair in advance. Call 020 7449 6576 to reserve.

Parking
There are six disabled parking bays near the Zoo entrance. Plus there is pay and display parking on the Outer Circle and in the Zoo car park – about 500 yards along the same road.

1. London Zoo Introduction
2. London Zoo Opening Hours
3. How To Get to London Zoo
4. London Zoo Ticket Information
5. London Zoo Visitor Facilities
6. London Zoo Daily Events
7. London Zoo Access
8. London Zoo Highlights
9. London Zoo Photos
10. London Zoo Old Penguin Pool Photos

You can easily spend a whole day at London Zoo and still not meet all the animals. Here are some of these recommended highlights.

Check the Daily Live Events such as feeding times to plan your day.

Near the entrance you'll find the Aquarium which is huge and has 3 halls. (Tip: It's dark inside so hold onto the kids.) Also, the Reptile House where Harry Potter spoke to a snake, and Gorilla Kingdom which brings you up close to a group of Western lowland gorillas.

My favorite architecture is the Lubetkin Old Penguin Pool, Snowdon Aviary, Casson Pavilion with the camels, and Mappin Terraces.

Kid's love B.U.G.S! (Biodiversity Underpinning Global Survival). It's lots of creepy crawlies and all indoors. My favorite are the naked mole rats. All creatures are behind glass and at a low level so the young children can see everything.
Tip: At 11.15am and 3pm daily you can get even closer to something creepy (often spiders).

On the other side of the tunnel you'll find Rainforest Life and Into Africa where you can see zebras, giraffes, and much more.

Rainforest Life is London's only living rainforest where you can get close to cheeky red titi monkeys, gold lion tamarins and sleepy sloths with no glass or bars between you and the host of curious animals living in the treetops.
Tips: Hide all food when you go inside. Stay quiet to see more. And don't miss the sparkly piranhas at the back which amaze children every day.
Access Tip: There is a lift (as well as stairs) down to the Nightzone to see nocturnal creatures such as the slender loris.

Tiger Territory has been a great addition to the zoo. It's home to two critically-endangered Sumatran tigers and their three new cubs.

Animal Adventure the children's zoo area is great fun. I like the tunnel you can crawl through to pop up inside the meerkat enclosure. You look out of a glass 'bubble' and feel like you're in with them!

London Zoo has been used as a Harry Potter Film Location in London.

See Some London Zoo Animals for Free

London Zoo is in Regent's Park which means there are a few places you can see into the zoo for free. If you walk along Regent's Canal you can see some of the Into Africa animals and the bird aviaries. Cross over Primrose Hill Bridge (over Regent's Canal) to see Red River Hogs and okapis (Into Africa). And for my favourite, walk along the Regent's Park Outer Circle, past the London Zoo entrance, opposite the West Service Gate, and see the giraffes.

1. London Zoo Introduction
2. London Zoo Opening Hours
3. How To Get to London Zoo
4. London Zoo Ticket Information
5. London Zoo Visitor Facilities
6. London Zoo Daily Events
7. London Zoo Access
8. London Zoo Highlights
9. London Zoo Photos
10. London Zoo Old Penguin Pool Photos