London Zoo has one of the UK’s largest collections of animals. It’s the world’s oldest scientific zoo, opened in 1828. It’s passionate about conservation, and many of the animals, from frogs to tigers, are critically endangered. From aye-ayes (like a cross between a rodent and a lemur) to zebras (more familiar faces), there are over 300 different species and 20,166 animals to discover.
Ready to explore London Zoo? Here’s all you need to know before you visit.
Where is London Zoo?
London Zoo is in Regent’s Park, between the City of Westminster and the Borough of Camden.
Address: Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY.
How to get to London Zoo
South Western Railway services take you to London Waterloo, where you can hop on the Bakerloo line to Baker Street. Find Baker Street Station Stop C, riding the 247 bus to Primrose Hill. It’s a 9-minute walk from there.
Travelling by train
Driving into Central London can be challenging. If you live near Reading, Woking, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Guildford, Winchester, or Southampton Central, you could save time and money by travelling with South Western Railway.
Browse our ticket types to find the right fare for you. Book early and travel off-peak for cheap train tickets and save even more by checking which Railcards and discounts you’re eligible for. Visiting London Zoo with friends and family? Pay less per person with GroupSave and Group Travel. Read our guide to travelling with kids before your trip.
Travelling in London
If you’re travelling within London, South Western Railway has regular services from Vauxhall, Surbiton, Wimbledon, Staines, Earlsfield, Putney, and Raynes Park. Use a London Travelcard, Oyster card or contactless for seamless travel within London.
Things to see and do at London Zoo
From daily talks to seasonal events, family-friendly trails and adult-only evenings, there’s plenty to see and do at London Zoo.
Tickets
London Zoo has ticketed entry, allowing access to every habitat – journey from the farmyard to the outback through Tiger Territory and Penguin Beach.
London Zoo admission fees:
| |
Off-peak |
Standard |
Standard Weekend |
| Adults |
£27.00 |
£31.00 |
£33.00 |
| Students & over 65s |
£24.30 |
£27.90 |
£29.70
|
| Children 3-15 |
£18.90 |
£21.70 |
£23.10 |
| Children under 3 |
Free |
Free |
Free |
Annual passes are also available.
For more information, visit the London Zoo ticket site.
Meet the animals
Once you’ve seen all the animals, take a step into their enclosures. Meet meerkats, monkeys and penguins, accompanied by expert guides. Take photos with the animals and learn everything about them (you can even feed the monkeys and meerkats)!
Sensory experiences
What better way to introduce future generations to nature than immersive sensory experiences? London Zoo holds weekly sensory stories for babies (aged 0-8 months). Follow the story of various marine creatures and their habitats through interactive storytelling, engaging sight, sound and touch.
Daily talks
London Zoo ditches the dimly lit auditorium and holds daily talks beside the enclosures so you can see the animals up close while listening to their stories. Peak into the predatory mind of the African wild dog, discover the nocturnal life of the slender loris, and find out why flamingos have pink feathers.
Animal Adventure playground
Visiting with kids? They’ll love the Animal Adventure playground, where they can meet alpacas, pigs, porcupines, llamas and goats. There are slides, bridges, ladders, a splash zone and an HMS Beagle-inspired climbing frame (the boat Charles Darwin sailed around the globe collecting samples). Best of all? You can refuel at the Peckish Parrot Café while the little ones let loose.
Things to do near London Zoo
There’s plenty to do nearby after the zoo. Why not explore the rest of Regent's Park [DF1] (London Zoo occupies just 36 of the park’s 410 acres)? There are fountains, gardens, an open-air theatre and a boating lake.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is near the park’s southwest corner, and the British Museum is also within walking distance, housing some of the best exhibitions in London.
Tips for enjoying London Zoo
- London Zoo is open daily from 10:00 – 16:00. It closes at 17:00 from 10th February to 28th March and from 2nd September to 27th October, and at 18:00 between 29th March and 1st September.
- There’s a bag check on entry, and leaving large bags at home is advised.
Food and drinks
Exploring the 36-acre zoo is tiring work. Thankfully, London Zoo has plenty of food and drink options, all of which use local, ethically sourced ingredients.
Head to the Terrace Restaurant for sit-down or takeaway classics, like stone-baked pizzas, burgers and fish and chips. Zoo Treats has quick bites like pastries and sandwiches, and the woodland kiosk and Beach Hut serve hot drinks and snacks.
London Zoo accessibility
London Zoo is mostly wheelchair accessible, but there are some uneven paths and steep slopes. There’s one changing place toilet facility and four accessible toilets. Disabled visitors get discounted tickets and free entry for a carer.
The zoo hosts regular British Sign Language, audio-described and relaxed tours. Relaxed early entry is available for autistic and neurodivergent individuals.
Paid wheelchair and mobility scooter hire is available on arrival. Assistance dogs are welcome, provided they meet various criteria.
For more information, visit London Zoo’s accessibility site.
