London Zoo

Enjoy access to London Zoo with The London Pass®

• Pay nothing at the gate - simply show your pass.
• Top tip: download the London Zoo app to plan your route and get the most out of your visit.
• Get involved with interactive experiences including Penguin Beach, Land of Lions, and Butterfly Paradise.
• Learn about the science and history of hundreds of species and their habitats. 

Set in leafy Regent’s Park amid heritage-listed buildings and beautiful gardens, London Zoo is an oasis in the heart of the capital. Homing over 10,000 animals plus hosting an array of seasonal live shows and fantastic, immersive exhibits, this is an unmissable attraction right in the heart of London.

Discover the world's oldest scientific zoo and its conservation efforts at London Zoo

Established in 1828 by the Zoological Society of London, London Zoo has become the main point of reference for animal experiences in London. The zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in the world, housing a variety of animals purely for scientific research. As such, it was only accessible to fellows of the Zoological Society of London. Later, in 1847 the museum was opened to the public to help fund the society's research.

Situated on the northern edge of Regents Park, the zoo’s 36 acres of land houses over 10,000 animals, making it, the most extensive collection in the UK. From vanished species such as the Quagga and Tasmanian tiger to animals currently on the IUCN Red List, the establishment is well known for its conservation efforts. In 2018, the zoo welcomed a newborn okapi and London Zoo was the first in the world to begin breeding the critically endangered Lake Oku clawed frog. These efforts have led to vital insights into the conditions these rare animals need to survive and have fueled their conservation initiatives with essential information.

Popular exhibits

Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians – see some of the world's rarest reptiles and amphibians, from the snake-eating king cobra to mountain chicken frogs, that the zoo is saving from the brink of extinction. With eight different habitats to discover, this promises to be an educational tour of the globe.

Tiny Giants! - a celebration of all things small but mighty, and the sometimes strange but always wonderful world of invertebrates. Includes a colourful coral reef tank.

Giants of the Galápagos - home to the zoo's three Galápagos giant tortoises. Step inside to enjoy the balmy climate of the Galápagos Archipelago and discover these magnificent reptiles who can live for over a century. Imagine how the world might change in their lifetime and discover how we can protect them – and our planet – for the years to come.

You can see more about zoo's current exhibitions on the London Zoo website. 

London Zoo is also reinventing how visitors interact with their creatures. Venture In with the Spiders at the Tiny Giants exhibit. The walk-through experience is the first of its kind in Europe, allowing you to come face-to-face with a host of arachnids and invertebrates. Head down to England’s largest penguin pool at Penguin Beach and watch the Humboldt penguins dive, swim, frolic and feed. Step into Africa and observe the elegance and grace of the giraffes from the viewing platform. Travel along lush pathways into the Gorilla Kingdom and view the magnificent family of western lowland gorillas native to the African rainforest.

Younger visitors can explore Animal Adventure, home to meerkats, llamas, and aardvarks, in an immersive animal experience designed for children, by children. London Zoo has been educating and inspiring visitors since opening to the public in 1847, it’s a great family day out right in the centre of Regent’s Park.  

London Zoo facts

• There are several listed buildings in the London Zoo and in the surrounding areas in Regents Park - one of the most peculiar is the traditional grade I listed telephone box at Penguin Beach, can you find it?
• The Casson elephant house’s roof was designed by Sir Hugh Casson. His design portrays a herd of elephants drinking from a watering hole.
• The much-loved Winnie-the-Pooh was inspired by a real-life black bear that lived at London Zoo from 1914 until her death in 1934. She was tame much, loved being handled, and was loved by all. You can find a statue of her in the zoo.
• The giraffe house is a grade II listed building and the oldest in the world. Today it is still used for its initial purpose, housing the zoo’s spectacular giraffe family.
• In 1949, the zoo was the first to rear a polar bear successfully. They named him Brumas. Brumas’ arrival resulted in attendance skyrocketing to over 3 million- a figure which is yet to be topped.