ZSL London Zoo
The world's oldest scientific zoo, in Regent's Park, with gorillas, penguins, tigers and a walk-through rainforest.
Last updated: 22 October 2026
- Type
- Park
- Area
- Bloomsbury & Camden
- Opening hours
- Daily 10:00–16:00 (last entry 15:00); until 23 October to 17:00
- Price
- from £27.70
- Time needed
- 180 min
- Official website
- londonzoo.org
What to expect
London Zoo opened in 1828 and is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It opened to the public in 1847 to raise money for the Zoological Society of London, which still runs it with no state funding. It lies in Regent's Park and covers about 36 acres, with thousands of animals from several hundred species.
Several of the buildings are listed in their own right: the Penguin Pool with its concrete spiral ramps, and the Gorilla House, both designed in the 1930s, and the Snowdon Aviary of the 1960s, now Monkey Valley. You can walk among lemurs and squirrel monkeys in walk-through areas, and the animal zones include gorillas, tigers, lions, penguins and giant tortoises. A full visit takes most of a day, and it is mostly outdoors.
Don't miss
- Penguin Pool and its concrete spiral ramps
- Gorilla Kingdom
- Tiger Territory
- Walk-through lemur and monkey areas
- Land of the Lions
Tips for your visit
- Arrive when it opens and see the big animals first; plan three to four hours at least.
- Book tickets online ahead in school holidays and at weekends.
- Children can burn off energy in the Animal Adventure area.
- Combine it with a walk in Regent's Park or up Primrose Hill afterwards.
Getting there from Trafalgar Square
🚇 15 min by Tube (line Northern (Charing Cross branch) or Piccadilly: Charing Cross / Leicester Square → Euston / Russell Square) · 4.4 km · 55 min walk
Where to eat nearby
- Namaaste Kitchen (Indian · ££ · Bloomsbury & Camden) · 🚶 13 min walk
Breakfast nearby
No breakfast spot within a 15-minute walk. Have breakfast near your hotel or in the centre before you go.
Other sights nearby
- Regent's Park · Park · 🚶 0.7 km · 9 min walk
- Primrose Hill · Park · 🚶 0.9 km · 12 min walk
- Camden Market · Market · 🚶 1.2 km · 15 min walk
Add ZSL London Zoo to your plan → Build a day around it with walking times and restaurants.