Days Out: London Zoo

Tips and Suggestions | Book - History of London Zoo | Did you know?
Photo Gallery 2 | Gift Basket | Getting to London Zoo | Photo Gallery 3
London souvenirs | News from the Eco-world | Video glimpse of London Zoo
London Zoo Links | My thanks to other lensmasters | Family Days out in London
Found Round the Web | Guestbook

Our trip started out bright and early as we wanted to catch the 9:05 train to London. Our plan was to take the train to Charing Cross, then the Bakerloo line from Charing Cross around to Regent's Park Station

Yeah, it was a bit of a travel, but we thought it would be good to let the boys run around a bit before we got into the zoo, located in the north-east corner of the 647-acre park. Walking across the park was a good way to let them run off steam.

1. Buy your tickers in advance online. You'll save loads of time from not having to queue at the front gate to get your ticket.



2. There is absolutely no way you can see everything at the zoo in one day, so look at a map or a list of exhibits and decide on 4 or 5 exhibits you have to see.



3. Use the map to plan your route through the zoo. Making sure to allow for rest stops and bathroom breaks



4. Plan for lots of breaks, especially if you have kids.



5. Allow for play time in the Children's Adventure Area.



6. A picnic area is available so bring your lunch with you. Food prices are expensive.

1. ZSL London Zoo is over 180 years old. Opened in 1828, it was the world's first scientific zoo


2. The Zoo is part of a community of zoos spanning Europe. Together, we have established a network of breeding programmes, one for each threatened species, called European Endangered Species Programmes (EEPs)


3. It was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles, who also founded Singapore


4. The Zoo contains not just one but 13 listed buildings of architectural and historic importance, including Lubetkin Penguin Pool, Grade 1 listed by English Heritage


5. With over 750 species, ZSL London Zoo has the largest and most varied animal collection in Britain

6. Corncrakes, British field crickets and red-barbed ants are bred at the Zoo and released back into the wild in the UK


7. It opened the world's first reptile house in 1849, first aquarium in 1853 and first insect house in 1881


8. ZSL has a team of four vets and six nurses to keep our animals healthy


9. Over 300 volunteers help you to discover amazing things about animals and assist our staff in a variety of ways


10. We buy over nine tonnes of meat, 13 tonnes of carrots and 1,869 bales of hay every year to keep our animals happy

You can use Transport for London to plan your trip to London Zoo while visiting London. I find this tool to be invaluable when planning any trip up into London.

London Zoo is located at Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
Telephone number: 020 7722 3333

If you'd rather walk it:

Look at Walkit: The Urban Walking Route Planner to plan your journey.

If you'd rather drive:

Parking for London Zoo is available at the Zoo's Gloucester Slips Car Park and is payable on the day. Spaces cannot be reserved in advance.

The Zoo's Main Gate is located outside the Congestion Charge Zone.