London Zoo

You may also come across the forest rangers and help them deal with their 'lion emergency' in the Gir Forest. Want an even more immersive lion experience? Book in at the London Zoo Lodges for an overnight stay within roaring distance of the Asiatic Lions. Each stay comes with three exclusive tours that all take place after the zoo has closed! Amazing animals and an animal experience like no other - you'll only make the most incredible memories here.

But that's not all. To make your trip to London Zoo an even more amazing experience, you can also visit the largest penguin pool in England! Catch the penguins as they dive into the water, swim and feed. Watch a stunning display of the Humboldt penguin colony as the penguin pool provides cool underwater views and daily talks like Penguin Beach Live. There's even a penguin nursery (*cuteness overload*) where the baby animals learn to swim in a shallow pool!

See the cheeky and playful otters, and stop off at the Rainforest Life exhibit to catch a glimpse of sloth, beautiful tamandua, monkeys and more. Or head into the dark to meet a whole bunch of fascinating nocturnal creatures. Don't miss Tiger Territory and the troop of western lowland gorillas in the Gorilla Kingdom. Or how about taking a trip to the Galápagos Islands (not really, but you will see some GIANT tortoises!). With large animal enclosures, you'll be able to see them from any angle!

Head over to the Tiny Giants: From Minibeasts to Coral Reef. Discover schools of coral reef fish in the coral reef aquarium; think clownfish, bluetangs and even jellyfish! You'll be able to learn and be given a bugs-eye view of a range of fish species and an HD vision of jumping spiders as you find yourself shrunk to the size of an ant! Catch sight of mantis shrimp, and watch how aquatic animals camouflage and clean our oceans. With a seven-metre-long reef public aquarium with coral reefs, there is an extensive collection of sea critters.

And be sure not to miss Europe's only walk-through spider enclosure. Explore how these fascinating creatures live and leave any fear you have at the door as you spot massive house spiders and more. Start your arachni-quest from the average household 'bathtub' spider to fascinating exotic species such as the black widow, huntsman and giant bird-eating spiders. You might even be able to catch a glimpse of nests with spider eggs!

Finally, make sure you stop by the Animal Adventure zone! Designed with child-friendly low barriers, it allows little animal lovers to come up close with porcupines, mongooses and other curious animals. Not to mention, there’s a play zone and water play area, as well! With a huge variety of animal species, whether it's aquatic wildlife, baby animals, or those that live in cold weather or warm weather, you'll discover them here in one of the biggest collections of animals in the UK. 

There are also fantastic zoo keeper experiences for kids to enjoy! They can be a zookeeper for a day or specialise as a penguin keeper, giraffe keeper, or tiger keeper! There are also plenty of other experiences, like the Komodo Dragon experience and the meet-the-meekats or monkeys experience. These experiences incur an additional charge and must be booked in advance.

Educational Day Out

London Zoo places a strong emphasis on education, with a variety of workshops and interactive experiences that cater to curious minds. The Discovery Centre and the Animal Adventure Zone are designed specifically to engage young children, making learning about the natural world exciting.

Food & Drink

After an enjoyable visit to London Zoo, make sure to treat the kids to a keepsake from the gift shop or souvenir shop. If you are tired or hungry, why not refuel at the Terrace Restaurant? With a deli counter, stone-baked pizzas, fish and chips, and more, the kid's taste buds are sure to be satisfied! Alternatively, you can head to the Aquarium Kiosk, Peckish Parrot Cafe, coffee shop, and other small pop-up refreshments around the park.

Why We Recommend London Zoo For Families

A day out at London Zoo promises laughter, learning, and lasting memories. It’s a place where families can learn all about amazing creatures and the natural world that they live in. Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, London Zoo offers a fresh and fascinating experience every time.

"It was such a beautiful experience. I saw a lot of animals. It took about 3 hours of walking around the zoo. Had to take a break, got some snacks and continued on my way. I'll make another visit soon. Great resource for teaching too. Family friendly and it is generally a safe zoo to visit. You can buy memorabilia from the shops as well as snacks to go. I'll recommend a visit." - Thompson

- The world’s oldest scientific zoo, originally intended for scientific study!

- It has one of the largest collections of animals in the UK and animal exhibits, including a Land of the Lions experience!

- It's home to Europe’s only walk-through spider enclosure!

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