London Zoo
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, London
About London Zoo
London Zoo, also known as ZSL London Zoo or London Zoological Gardens, is the world's oldest scientific zoo, located at the northern edge of Regent's Park in London, England. It was opened on 27 April 1828 and was initially intended as a collection for scientific study, only opening to the public in 1847. The zoo is managed by the Zoological Society of London, which was established in 1826, and has played a pioneering role in the history of zoological gardens, being the first to open a reptile house, public aquarium, insect house, and children's zoo. Over the years, London Zoo has housed a vast array of species, including animals transferred from the Tower of London menagerie in 1831, and has been home to many rare and unique animals. Today, visitors can expect to see more than 8,000 animals from over 300 species, with major exhibits such as Gorilla Kingdom, Tiger Territory, and Penguin Beach. The zoo is renowned for its historical significance, scientific contributions, and its location straddling the boundary between the City of Westminster and the borough of Camden.
health and well-being.
It includes giving animals proper food, clean living spaces, medical care, and treating them with respect.
These standards help make sure animals live safe, healthy, and stress-free lives.
Visitors to London Zoo can park in the zoo's official car park, which is located on Outer Circle, Regent's Park, just a short walk from the main entrance. Parking is not free; charges apply and spaces are limited, especially during weekends and school holidays, so it is advisable to arrive early or consider using public transport. There are also pay-and-display parking spaces available in Regent's Park, but these may have time restrictions. Always check the latest parking information on the zoo's website before your visit.
Check the zoo's official website for the latest feeding times schedule.
- London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo, having opened in 1828.
- It was the first zoo in the world to open a reptile house (1849), a public aquarium (1853), an insect house (1881), and a children's zoo (1938).
- As of 2025, the zoo houses 8,829 animals representing 372 species, making it one of the largest zoological collections in the United Kingdom.
- At its peak, the zoo attracted over 3 million annual visitors and exhibited over 900 species.
- The zoo is managed by the Zoological Society of London, which also operates Whipsnade Zoo, the world's first open zoological park.
Paid Experiences
Meet the Capybara
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Learn all about our capybaras, their unique personalities, discover the science of positive reinforcement training, and help out with a training session.
Program
You will interact with the capybaras, learn about their care, and participate in a training session to understand their behavior.
Meet the Giraffes
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Want to get to know our giraffes, and find out what makes them so unique? This is the perfect encounter for any giraffe lover.
Program
You will have a close encounter with the giraffes, learning about their habits and feeding them under the guidance of a zookeeper.
Meet the Monkeys
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Step into our Rainforest to feed our monkeys some tasty snacks and support our conservation efforts to protect their habitats.
Program
You will enter the monkey habitat, feed the monkeys, and learn about their conservation needs from a zookeeper.
London Zoo Lodges - stay over at the Zoo
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An exciting opportunity to stay overnight at London Zoo, right next to our lion pride!
Program
You will check in for an overnight stay, enjoy evening activities, and sleep next to the lion enclosure, experiencing the zoo after hours.
Meet our Meerkats
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Feed our meerkat family some tasty afternoon snacks.
Program
You will enter the meerkat enclosure, feed them snacks, and learn about their social behavior from a zookeeper.
Zookeeper experience for children
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Our Junior Zookeeper is the must-do animal experience for young animal lovers aged 11-15!
Program
Participants will spend the day with zookeepers, learning about animal care, feeding, and conservation efforts.
Penguin Keeper Experience
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Join us as an honorary zookeeper for a flipping good time!
Program
You will assist in the care of the penguins, learn about their habitat, and participate in feeding sessions.
The Tiger Keeper experience
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Experience what it takes to be a tiger keeper in this truly unique experience.
Program
You will learn about tiger care, assist with feeding, and gain insights into their behavior from a zookeeper.
The Komodo Dragon experience
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Experience what it takes to be a Komodo dragon keeper in this truly unique experience.
Program
You will learn about the care of Komodo dragons, assist in feeding, and understand their habitat needs.
Friendly Spider Programme
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Join us for a session with a hynotherapist and zookeeper, and let us help you overcome your fear of spiders.
Program
Participants will engage in activities designed to educate and desensitize them to spiders in a safe environment.
Photos are illustrative and do not depict the actual experience or animals at this zoo. We do our best to keep experience details accurate, but always check with the zoo directly for the latest information.