London Zoo and Aquarium
Enjoy a visit to the world class London Zoo and Aquarium in beautiful Regent's Park
The ZSL London Zoo is a place of many firsts. Opening in 1828, it is the oldest scientific zoo in the world. It started the world's first Reptile house in 1849. In 1853 it opened the first public Aquarium (the term aquarium originated from here) and in 1881, the first insect house. It also opened the first children's zoo in 1938.
The zoo is located at the northern end of Regent's Park. After struggling for financial support in the 1980s it was announced that the zoo would permanently close in 1991. This created a groundswell of public support and contributions, allowing the zoo to undergo major renovations and replace cages with enclosures that better represent the natural environments of the animals.
Today the London Zoo has a collection of nearly 750 different species of animal. These are exhibited in numerous different exhibit areas. These include the Animal Adventure, Asian Big Cats, the Aquarium, Blackburn (Bird) Pavilion, B.U.G.S, Butterfly Paradise, Rainforest Life, Giants of the Galapagos, Gorilla Kingdom, Komodo Dragons and, opening in the Spring of 2011, Penguin Beach
The London Zoo is involved in breeding programs for about 130 different species. It relies entirely on entrance fees, donations, memberships and sponsorships for all of its support./p>
For more information about the London Zoo as well opening times and admission charges visit their official website.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.London Zoo and Aquarium Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY, UK
Phone: 0344 225 1826
Official Website: London Zoo and Aquarium
London Zoo and Aquarium Reviews
Rated out of 5![]()
Hidden away in Regent's Park, London Zoo is a popular attraction that offers a solid day out for families and groups. Setting aside the debate over zoos themselves, it easily provides a few hours of good entertainment, provided the animals are active and cooperative. Highlights include the impressive Africa zone and the Monkey zone, where you feel like you are walking right through their natural habitat. Admission prices are reasonable, and there is a great variety of food and drink options across different price ranges. On the downside, the facilities could be improved—specifically with larger accessible restrooms—and having the exit pass directly through the gift shop can be tricky to navigate with kids. Overall, if you enjoy zoos and are visiting with a group, it’s well worth a trip.
Louis Cecile - 2 months ago
We enjoyed our visit to the zoo.
We saw many kinds of animals even though there were lots not available there.
For example they dont have polar bear, walrus, sea lion or panda.
But they have a good role playing area, we need to book a slot. Also there is a splash park.
The restaurant was very busy, but service was quick.
They have a very good gift shop. Soooo many cute items there, but unfortunately they are expensive.
Its easy to find toilets on site and they were quite clean.
We will visit again
Stefani W - 3 weeks ago
We had an incredible day out at London Zoo! The grounds are beautifully kept, and the variety of animals and immersive habitats made the whole experience unforgettable.
Here were some of our absolute highlights:
Penguin Beach: Watching the Humboldt penguins dive, swim, and waddle around their rocky pool was such a joy. The underwater viewing area gives you a fantastic up-close look at how fast they glide through the water!
Giraffe & Ostrich Enclosure: Getting to stand so close to the magnificent giraffes was a real treat. Watching them stretch up to feed right near the perimeter— alongside the ostriches—was fantastic.
The Reptile & Amphibian Exhibits: The attention to detail in these habitats is world-class. We loved spotting the brilliant electric-blue poison dart frogs, curious little aquatic frogs paddling through underwater grass, camouflaged snakes, and basking lizards peering out from the leaves.
The Primates: Seeing the cheeky monkeys swing and climb right up near the mesh to say hello added so much charm to the walk.
The conservation efforts of ZSL shine through every exhibit, and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable throughout the park. Whether you're visiting with family, on a date, or solo, it’s worth every penny.
Can’t wait to come back! 🦒🐧🪲
Shelton Coutinho - 2 months ago
A fantastic zoo that’s much more than just a tourist attraction. Home to around 8,500 animals representing more than 300 species, it offers the chance to see everything from lions, tigers, giraffes, gorillas, orangutans, penguins, pygmy hippos, Komodo dragons, Galápagos tortoises, and sloths to reptiles, tropical birds, butterflies, and countless fascinating insects. The habitats are beautifully designed, the animals appear well cared for, and there are plenty of informative talks and feeding sessions throughout the day. It’s a great place for both children and adults, and you can easily spend an entire day exploring while learning about wildlife conservation. Highly recommended!
Burghelea Oana - 2 months ago
We had a truly wonderful family day out at ZSL London Zoo and it easily turned into a full-day experience packed with fun, learning, and memorable moments. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was lively and welcoming. The zoo is beautifully maintained, with clearly marked paths and a wide variety of exhibits that kept both adults and children engaged throughout the day. Our children especially loved the interactive areas and were fascinated by the animals they could see up close. The penguins were a big highlight—watching them swim and play was absolutely delightful.
There is a great balance between entertainment and education. Informational boards are easy to understand and provide interesting facts, which made the visit not only enjoyable but also informative for the kids. The staff were friendly and approachable, always happy to answer questions and guide visitors.
Although we noticed that some animals, like bears, were not present, this didn’t take away from the overall experience. There were still plenty of incredible species to see, from majestic lions to curious monkeys and elegant giraffes. Each enclosure seemed thoughtfully designed with animal welfare in mind.
Facilities such as cafés, rest areas, and playgrounds made it easy to relax and recharge during the day. It’s very family-friendly and well-organised, which is important when visiting with children.
Overall, it’s a fantastic destination for a family outing in London. We spent the entire day there without getting bored, and the children left with huge smiles on their faces. Highly recommended for a fun and meaningful day out
Ertuğrul Gazi Alperen - 4 months ago
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Directions
| Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Line | Camden Town | 13 Minutes |
| Bakerloo Line | Regents Park | 20 Minutes |
| Circle, Bakerloo, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Harmmersmith & City Lines | Baker Street | 30 Minutes |
How to get to London Zoo and Aquarium by Tube
From Camden Town Station exit to your right and at the next crossroad bear left onto Parkway, follow it all the way to Prince Albert Road, go right and then left through the first gate just past the parking lot. Follow the pathway to the Outer Circle and go right following it west to the Zoo Entrance.
From Regent's Park Station simply follow the Outer Circle north along the east and then north edge of the park until you arrive at the Zoo entrance
From Baker Street Station take the #274 bus to Ormonde Terrace or, if you don't mind a 30 minute walk mostly through Regent's Park, exit the station, go right, walk to the end of Baker Street, cross Park Road, go left onto the outer circle path and follow it to the Zoo's entrance which will be on your right.
Note:You can also access the Zoo via Regent' Canal which passes through it via The London Waterbus.
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Photo Gallery
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Black Capped Squirrel Monkey at the London Zoo - Bet You Think he's Cute cc licensed photo by Nigel's Europe 2 -
Exotic Fish at the London Zoo Aquarium cc licensed photo by neiljs -
Photo Credit: kitmasterbloke - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Doolallyally - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: kitmasterbloke - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wwarby - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: wwarby - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ell brown - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Karen Roe - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Michael.Camilleri - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ell brown - cc license via Flickr

