The world’s oldest scientific zoo, visiting London Zoo with children continues to be as tempting than ever, greater than 170 years after it opened. As soon as residence to the bear that impressed Winnie the Pooh, the one dwelling quagga ever photographed and one of many world’s most well-known big pandas, there’s nearly as a lot historical past as animals to find.
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And whereas the bigger animals are actually housed at sister website Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s greatest zoo, there’s greater than sufficient to maintain everybody entertained on a day trip in London. I’ve been visiting with my daughter since she was little, and we’ve seen it collectively on all the things from a cold winter day to a sunny post-lockdown summer season’s day.
One of many metropolis’s greatest sights (for youngsters and adults), if you happen to’ve obtained children who love animals, you’ll hardly want any extra persuasion. And with 14 hectares to find, we normally spend at the least half a day exploring and run out of time (or vitality!) earlier than we run out of animals to see – so if you happen to’re planning a go to, listed below are my ideas for visiting London Zoo with children.
Decide your day rigorously
Whether or not you go within the chill of midwinter or the warmth of midsummer, there’ll nonetheless be animals to identify… attempt to keep away from the rain if attainable although, because the inhabitants favor to cover away (and strolling round for hours within the rain is quite a bit much less enjoyable for guests as nicely).
The zoo does have a mixture of indoor and out of doors enclosures although, so don’t be fully postpone by the climate.
Winter days additionally imply smaller crowds, and inevitably it’s quieter throughout time period time and out of peak season. Through the hottest days, you may discover the animals are additionally lazing round out of sight within the shade so there could be extra to see throughout spring and autumn.
The zoo launched three colour-coded routes for guests to comply with throughout the pandemic. And whereas the one-way restrictions have been lengthy since dropped, they’re nonetheless a useful method to plan your day.
Every is a special size (blue is shortest) you probably have restricted time, and goes previous the gorillas, tigers and reptile home (amongst others).
The pink route leads by means of the African village (giraffes/zebra/meerkats), whereas the orange route consists of the lions and Penguin Seaside.
The all begin on the identical level so you may comply with the routes in any order (and as many instances as you need!)
Plan your meals
Tickets don’t help you depart and return once more, so it’s price planning your meals prematurely.
There may be one fundamental restaurant and a string of smaller cafes, kiosks and different spots to purchase meals across the zoo, however even on a quiet winter day you’ll discover lengthy queues.
There are out of doors picnic benches not removed from the pelicans, in addition to different benches dotted across the website, if you happen to pack your personal.
If you happen to’re shopping for lunch on the zoo, you will discover family-friendly choices like pizza on the Terrace Restaurant, baguettes on the Seaside Hut and sandwiches on the Aquarium Kiosk and Peckish Parrot Cafe.
You’ll additionally discover vegetarian and vegan choices within the menus, plus fish and meat is chosen to be sustainable and free-range.
Keep for the talks
Take a look at the ‘What’s On’ boards if you arrive on the zoo for timings of the common talks and any feeding instances, plus occasional additional pop-up talks.
These do change usually however as a rule, there’s a tiger discuss at 11am, otter and dwarf mongoose discuss at 12 midday, penguin discuss at 1.30pm (get there early for this one!), gorilla discuss at 2pm and komodo dragon discuss at 3pm amongst others.
When you’ll must be very organised to get to each discuss and nonetheless discover all of the zoo, you’ll uncover much more in regards to the animals you’re seeing at every one – who knew one specific species of monkey twines its tail with its mate’s as they snuggle up on a department at evening. Cute!
It’s price attending to the most well-liked occasions, such because the penguin feeding, prematurely if you need a seat or a superb view however we managed to catch a number of talks simply by listening out for the bulletins.
If you happen to don’t beat the crowds, do hold round afterwards – everybody floods out of the penguin pool as soon as official feeding time was over, which meant we obtained a unbelievable view of the inquisitive birds zooming by means of the water.
You may as well get nearer to a few of the animals and assist with feeding instances as a part of the zoo’s particular experiences, together with choices for five+.
Take a look at the upgrades
London Zoo has been round for some time… and at instances, it exhibits. However there are additionally some newer additions such because the Land of the Lions and Tiger Territory that are unbelievable, with totally different viewpoints, data and actions for youths alongside the way in which.
Take a look at Monkey Valley too, which opened in summer season 2022, with walkthrough excursions from 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4.30pm (instances do typically change so examine on arrival)
Just a few of the older areas are beginning to present their age – the London zoo aquarium closed in 2019, with some creatures relocated to a deliberate new space, whereas the reptile home has additionally now closed with new plans for this historic constructing as nicely.
Prime trivia: the primary aquarium on website was additionally the world’s first public aquarium.
However the zoo is much from outdated: one in every of our favourites is a recreated part of Amazon rainforest, full with mist to maintain it humid, and the lemur enclosure you may stroll by means of, amongst different cleverly designed sections.
Be ready for the surprising
Wild animals are simply that… you by no means know after they’ll resolve to come back out and stroll round, or disguise away.
We noticed a nocturnal tamandua – a species of anteater – climbing timber within the Rainforest Life space fairly fortunately in mid-afternoon, whereas the cheeky tamarins which stay there have been scampering fortunately across the viewing platform in addition to within the timber.
Yet one more tip from the keepers for this part… they’ve labored out that buggies usually include meals, so regulate your picnic and snacks after they’re in attain of thieving furry paws!
It additionally means you may see, as we did, a puff adder steadily devouring a rat, blood working down the fur because it devoured up its prey.
Grimly fascinating to the adults, my daughter was quite a bit much less satisfied. Puff adders apparently must go vegetarian to be again in her good books!
Heat up inside
Until you’re visiting on a gloriously sunny day, you’re more likely to get chilly in some unspecified time in the future wandering round exterior for hours. So aside from wrapping up heat, there are a couple of locations to goal for if you happen to can’t really feel your toes.
Butterfly Paradise is tropically humid, whereas Rainforest Life can also be deliciously heat.
You not must put on a face overlaying inside, together with the walkthrough sections
Look out for the extras
With so many animals to see, there’s no likelihood you’ll get bored. However examine forward of time and you can too discover particular occasions throughout the 12 months, together with lights at Christmas, common household actions and a few particular night occasions throughout the summer season.
The common London Zoo Lates have been changed by Zoo Nights, however are adults solely, though you may sleep over on the zoo (with youngsters aged 5-13 on household nights) for a extremely particular expertise.
You may as well spot ‘wild artwork’ – road artwork within the tunnel linking the principle website with the smaller part past the Outer Circle highway.
Or to let off steam, take a look at the London Zoo playground (there may be additionally one other play space in Regents Park). The Animal journey Zone features a splash zone for good climate days.
Any Harry Potter followers who deliberate to go to the Reptile Home to see the part which seems within the first movie ought to know that it’s now closed, so sadly there’s no alternative to practise your Parseltongue for now.
For extra Harry Potter filming places in London, take a look at this submit
Save smaller legs
You’ll be able to rent pushchairs at London Zoo if you happen to haven’t introduced your personal, though in contrast to the sister website at Whipsnade, there aren’t toddler trikes.
Single buggies value £10 to rent plus a £15 refundable deposit. The double buggies are £15 to rent with the identical £15 refundable deposit.
Little one scooters are allowed so long as they’re supervised by an grownup (in contrast to bikes, grownup scooters, rollerskates or anything with wheels).
There may be additionally the particular Penguin Queue Hopper move for households with extra wants, to chop down on ready instances.
Get a reduction on London Zoo tickets
In contrast to plenty of different sights, you don’t see a London Zoo low cost code fairly often, however there are a couple of methods to save cash on tickets.
Other than members, it’s higher to e book tickets prematurely to make sure you get the date you need, and also you’ll at all times get the most affordable fee for normal tickets this manner too. Underneath-threes are additionally free however nonetheless want a ticket with a purpose to handle numbers.
They’ll be scanned at fundamental entrance and you can too present digital variations reasonably than printing tickets.
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You’ll be requested to pick out a timeslot as nicely: you don’t have to show up exactly at the moment, so long as it’s between the time proven in your ticket and one hour earlier than closing time so you would decide the earliest slot of the day if you happen to’re undecided what time you’ll arrive.
You may as well purchase flexi-tickets, if you happen to’re undecided if you need to go to however you will want to redeem these prematurely and select a time and date to go to.
If you happen to obtain Common Credit score, you can too get discounted tickets, priced from £3. These are restricted, should be prebooked on-line and also you do must convey proof of eligibility.
Members get free entry to London Zoo with their annual move, and don’t must e book a timeslot.
For extra concepts on how to save cash on days out in London with children, take a look at my prime ideas
If you happen to’ve purchased a London move, you can too get into London Zoo without cost, simply present the move on arrival
There are typically reductions utilizing Youngsters Cross – a one-month membership trial prices £1.
In any other case, one of the simplest ways to save cash on London zoo tickets is with Nationwide Rail’s 241 supply, if you happen to go to by prepare. It’s essential to convey legitimate prepare tickets (tube tickets don’t depend), and might have to point out a printed copy of the low cost voucher. There’s an possibility to make use of these for a free grownup or free little one ticket.
Youngsters aged six to fifteen with a legitimate Blue Peter badge card get free entry when accompanied by a full paying grownup, who must buy their ticket on arrival on the zoo. If you happen to’re visiting as a part of a bunch, all the opposite guests should prebook their tickets nonetheless.
You’ll be able to not use Tesco Clubcard factors for London Zoo tickets and there’s no blue mild, navy or NHS low cost
What’s one of the simplest ways to get to London Zoo?
The London Zoo entrance is on the north facet of the positioning, on the Outer Circle (parallel to Prince Albert Street). It’s higher to journey by public transport as London Zoo parking is scarce and there’s restricted (paid) parking on the roads round.
There may be additionally a automobile park close by, priced from £16 per day – it’s exterior the congestion cost zone so long as you keep away from going into central London in your drive.
In any other case, the closest stations to London Zoo are Camden City and Regent’s Park if you happen to’re approaching the tube – each round a 15-20 minute stroll away (throughout the park, if you happen to’re coming from Regent’s Park).
The quantity 274 bus additionally stops very near the doorway. The route runs from Angel Islington to Lancaster Gate, and likewise stops at Baker Avenue.
For extra issues to do in Camden with children, take a look at my prime picks
Get there early
The zoo opens at 10am year-round (besides Christmas Day, when it’s closed) however closing instances differ all year long. Final entry is an hour earlier than closing time and a few animal displays shut half-hour earlier than closing time.
There are two choices for timed entry, at 10am or 12 midday. You’ll be able to enter at any level after the time in your ticket, as much as an hour earlier than closing.
In winter, final entry is at 3pm, closing at 4pm so it’s price arriving early to benefit from the lowered opening hours and likewise to skip a few of the queues. For the entire London Zoo opening instances, click on right here.
Whereas London Zoo is definitely the perfect zoo in London, youthful children may even love Battersea Park Youngsters’s Zoo and you can too discover a bit free zoo in London
For extra recommendations on visiting London with children, take a look at my fast begin information to London with children, in addition to my prime issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers and locations to go to in London with children who love animals.
*final up to date 2024*
PIN FOR LATER: TIPS FOR VISITING LONDON ZOO WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All my ideas for visiting London Zoo with children are based mostly alone experiences and all opinions are my very own
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