How long does a visit take?

Allow at least four hours; five for a full day including all keeper talks and feeding times.

When are feeding times?

Feeding times run throughout the day from opening. The daily schedule is printed on entry and available via the zoo's app.

Is photography allowed?

Yes — photography is welcome throughout, but flash is not permitted in any enclosure for animal welfare.

Can I adopt an animal?

Yes — the ZSL Adopt programme funds individual animals and provides donor certificates and updates.

London

All Experiences

London Zoo

London: London Zoo

4-5 hours

Regent's Park

Wheelchair Accessibility:

Yes

Operating Hours:Daily: 10:00 - 17:00 (summer extended to 18:00). Closed: 25 December

The Vibe:The world's oldest scientific zoo, still innovating.

Opened in 1828 as a private scientific collection and opened to the public in 1847, London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. Now home to 750 species, it combines Victorian Grade-I heritage (the Penguin Pool) with cutting-edge conservation (the Tiger Territory and Gorilla Kingdom).
Penguins splash behind glass; gorilla feet thud in enclosed rainforest. Children squeal in the Butterfly Paradise; sea lions bark from the pool. Lord Snowdon's 1964 aviary rises above the walkway, part aviary part sculpture.

• The world's oldest scientific zoo, opened 1828
• Houses 750 species — 18,000 animals in total
• Grade I listed architecture including Lord Snowdon's 1964 Aviary
• Operated by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a global conservation charity

Fit For

👨‍👩‍👧 Families: Designed for families — feeding times scheduled throughout the day
💕 Couples: Evening 'Zoo Nights' in summer with bars and live music
👵 Seniors: Most step-free; small train shuttle available
📸 Photographers: Charming Edwardian architecture mixed with modern enclosures

Highlights

Gorilla Kingdom — naturalistic enclosure with western lowland gorillas
Tiger Territory — Sumatran tiger family with glass-wall viewing
Penguin Beach — largest in England; keeper talks daily
Land of the Lions — Asiatic lion territory with Indian-village architectural theming
In with the Lemurs — walk-through lemur enclosure
Snowdon Aviary — Lord Snowdon's 1964 aviary, still one of London's best — Hidden Gem

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London Zoo Entrance Tickets

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Partial Refund on Cancellation

Full-day admission to all exhibits
Includes keeper talks and feeds
Self-paced visit
Supports conservation work

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Plan Your Visit

Things To Do Nearby

Regent's Park — the zoo sits at the park's northern end

Primrose Hill — 10-minute walk north for the London panorama

Camden Market — 15-minute walk northeast via the canal

Madame Tussauds — 20-minute walk south via Baker Street

Regent's Park — the zoo sits at the park's northern end

Primrose Hill — 10-minute walk north for the London panorama

Camden Market — 15-minute walk northeast via the canal

Madame Tussauds — 20-minute walk south via Baker Street

TJ's Guide - London Zoo

Know Before You Go

Insider Tips

Best Time: Arrive at 10:00 opening for the most active animals; check the feeding schedule

Hack: Book online to save 15% versus gate prices

Hidden Gem: The original Snowdon Aviary, designed by Lord Snowdon (Princess Margaret's husband), is Grade II listed

Summer 'Zoo Nights' for adults only — evening events with bars and music

Reptile House was the filming location for Harry Potter's Sorting Hat test

Best Time: Arrive at 10:00 opening for the most active animals; check the feeding schedule

Hack: Book online to save 15% versus gate prices

Hidden Gem: The original Snowdon Aviary, designed by Lord Snowdon (Princess Margaret's husband), is Grade II listed

Summer 'Zoo Nights' for adults only — evening events with bars and music

Reptile House was the filming location for Harry Potter's Sorting Hat test

Know Your Facts

Getting There & Entrances

Amenities

Closest Tube: Camden Town (Northern) or Regent's Park (Bakerloo)
By canal: Regent's Canal towpath from Camden or Little Venice
Main entrance: Outer Circle Road, Regent's Park
First-time tip: The zoo is large — grab a map at entry and prioritise must-see enclosures

Once You Reach

Internal Navigation

Zones: African Bird Safari, Gorilla Kingdom, Into Africa, Tiger Territory, Penguin Beach, Land of the Lions

Venue map: Free at entry; zoo app for keeper talk times

Signage: Well-marked throughout; colour-coded paths

Accessibility: Lifts and ramps throughout; accessible route marked on map

Efficient route: Start at animals furthest from the entrance and work inward

Food & Coffee Shops

Terrace Restaurant (on-site): Full-service meal with enclosure views

Oasis Café: Casual café near the zoo's centre

The Lock (Camden, 15 minutes away): Street-food options after the zoo

Photography Tips

No flash photography — strictly prohibited for animal welfare

Enclosures often shot through glass — cup your lens to the glass to reduce reflection

Morning feeding times give the most active animal behaviour

Snowdon Aviary and Reptile House architecture are worth shots in their own right

Explore Deeper

The zoo opened in 1828 as a private scientific collection for the Zoological Society of London, founded by Sir Stamford Raffles. It opened to the public in 1847 when Society finances required public revenue. ZSL continues its mission of animal conservation through both the zoo and extensive global field programmes.

The zoo introduced many species to the British public for the first time, including chimpanzees (1835), hippos (1850), giraffes (1836) and zebras (1859)

Lord Snowdon's 1964 Aviary — designed by Antony Armstrong-Jones before his marriage to Princess Margaret — is one of Britain's finest modernist buildings

During WWII, some zoo animals were evacuated to Whipsnade; others, including Guy the Gorilla, remained and were a morale boost through the war years

The zoo's conservation breeding programme has helped reintroduce species including golden lion tamarins and Partula snails to their wild habitats

Did You Know?

Oldest scientific zoo — ZSL founded in 1826 predates most European zoos

Harry Potter — The Reptile House featured in the first Harry Potter film

Penguins — London Zoo's penguin colony includes over 90 individuals, one of England's largest

Conservation — ZSL operates field programmes in 70+ countries beyond London Zoo

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