London Zoo

Description

Look, I’ve been to quite a few zoos in my time, but there’s something special about London Zoo that keeps drawing me back. Maybe it’s the way they’ve managed to blend modern conservation with their incredible heritage – I mean, this is the world’s oldest scientific zoo we’re talking about! The place absolutely buzzes with life, from the hilarious antics of the penguins (who, by the way, seem to have mastered the art of photobombing) to the majestic Asiatic lions lounging in their kingdom.

Key Features

• Land of the Lions – An immersive Indian-themed enclosure where you can watch these magnificent big cats up close
• Penguin Beach – Europe’s largest penguin pool, complete with underwater viewing areas
• Gorilla Kingdom – A stunning habitat where you can observe these gentle giants
• Rainforest Life – A steamy indoor ecosystem filled with sloths, monkeys, and other tropical creatures
• Tiger Territory – An impressive enclosure designed to replicate the Sumatran tiger’s natural habitat
• Into Africa – Where you’ll find giraffes, zebras, and African hunting dogs
• Butterfly Paradise – A magical walkthrough experience surrounded by hundreds of free-flying butterflies
• Reptile House – Home to some seriously impressive scaled residents in a historic Victorian building

Best Time to Visit

I’ve found that timing really makes a difference here. The animals tend to be most active during morning feeding times, so I always try to arrive right when the zoo opens at 10am. If you’re visiting in summer (peak season), you might want to come on a weekday – trust me, those weekend crowds can get pretty intense! Winter visits have their own charm though – fewer visitors means more space to explore, and many animals are actually more active in cooler weather. Plus, the indoor exhibits provide plenty of warm refuge on chilly days.

How to Get There

Getting to London Zoo is actually pretty straightforward. The closest tube stations are Camden Town and Regent’s Park – both about a 15-minute walk away. Baker Street station works too, but it’s a bit further. Honestly, my favorite way to get there is walking through Regent’s Park – it’s such a gorgeous warm-up to your zoo experience! There’s also the 274 bus that stops right outside if you’re not up for walking. And yeah, while there is parking available, I wouldn’t really recommend driving unless you absolutely have to – London traffic can be a real pain, and parking isn’t cheap.

Tips for Visiting

Alright, here’s where I’m gonna share some hard-earned wisdom. First off, book your tickets online – it’s cheaper and saves you from queuing. The zoo’s pretty big (36 acres to be exact), so wear comfy shoes – your feet will thank me later! Pack some snacks and a water bottle, even though there are plenty of food outlets. The cafes can get pretty busy around lunchtime.

If you’ve got kids with you, grab a map and plan your route around the daily talks and feeding times – these are absolutely worth catching. The penguin show at around 1:30 PM is always a hit! The zoo gets super busy during school holidays and weekends, so if you can visit during term time, you’ll have a much more relaxed experience.

I’d say you need at least 3-4 hours to see everything properly, but you could easily spend a whole day here if you want to catch all the talks and feeding sessions. And don’t skip the B.U.G.S house just because it sounds less exciting – it’s actually fascinating, and usually way less crowded than the big-name attractions.

Oh, and one last thing – the gift shop near the exit is dangerous territory for your wallet, but they do have some pretty cool conservation-focused merchandise that supports the zoo’s work. Just thought I’d warn you!

Remember to check the weather forecast before you go – while there are plenty of indoor exhibits, a lot of the zoo is outdoors. And if it does rain? Well, that’s when you might see some of the most interesting animal behaviors – many of them actually become more active!

Location

Places to Stay Near London Zoo

Find and Book a Tour

Explore More Travel Guides