



London: London Zoo
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
Persona Fit
- 👨👩👧 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
1 Curated Booking Option
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Sarah Riches
Our London Local Expert
Table of Contents
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
- 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
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
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
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












