The world’s oldest scientific zoo, visiting London Zoo with children remains to be as tempting than ever, greater than 170 years after it opened. As soon as dwelling to the bear that impressed Winnie the Pooh, the one residing quagga ever photographed and one of many world’s most well-known large 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 every part from a cold winter day to a sunny post-lockdown summer season’s day.
One of many metropolis’s greatest points of interest (for youngsters and adults), should you’ve acquired children who love animals, you’ll hardly want any extra persuasion. And with 14 hectares to find, we often spend at the very least half a day exploring and run out of time (or power!) earlier than we run out of animals to see – so should you’re planning a go to, listed below are my ideas for visiting London Zoo with children.
Choose 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 potential 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 effectively).
The zoo does have a mixture of indoor and outside enclosures although, so don’t be utterly delay by the climate.
Winter days additionally imply smaller crowds, and inevitably it’s quieter throughout time period time and out of peak season. In the course of the hottest days, you would possibly 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 observe throughout the pandemic. And whereas the one-way restrictions have been lengthy since dropped, they’re nonetheless a useful approach to plan your day.
Every is a unique 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 way of the African village (giraffes/zebra/meerkats), whereas the orange route contains the lions and Penguin Seaside.
The all begin on the similar level so you may observe the routes in any order (and as many occasions as you need!)
Plan your meals
Tickets don’t let you go away and return once more, so it’s value planning your meals prematurely.
There’s one primary 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 outside picnic benches not removed from the pelicans, in addition to different benches dotted across the website, should you pack your personal.
In case you’re shopping for lunch on the zoo, you could find 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
Try the ‘What’s On’ boards whenever you arrive on the zoo for timings of the common talks and any feeding occasions, plus occasional additional pop-up talks.
These do change usually however as a rule, there’s a tiger speak at 11am, otter and dwarf mongoose speak at 12 midday, penguin speak at 1.30pm (get there early for this one!), gorilla speak at 2pm and komodo dragon speak at 3pm amongst others.
When you’ll should be very organised to get to each speak and nonetheless discover all of the zoo, you’ll uncover way more concerning the animals you’re seeing at each – 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 value attending to the preferred occasions, such because the penguin feeding, prematurely if you’d like a seat or a great view however we managed to catch a number of talks simply by listening out for the bulletins.
In case you 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 acquired a improbable view of the inquisitive birds zooming by way of the water.
You can too get nearer to a number of the animals and assist with feeding occasions as a part of the zoo’s particular experiences, together with choices for five+.
Try the upgrades
London Zoo has been round for some time… and at occasions, it exhibits. However there are additionally some newer additions such because the Land of the Lions and Tiger Territory that are improbable, with totally different viewpoints, data and actions for youths alongside the best way.
Try Monkey Valley too, which opened in summer season 2022, with walkthrough excursions from 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4.30pm (occasions do typically change so verify on arrival)
A number of 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 effectively.
High trivia: the primary aquarium on website was additionally the world’s first public aquarium.
However the zoo is much from outdated: one among our favourites is a recreated part of Amazon rainforest, full with mist to maintain it humid, and the lemur enclosure you may stroll by way of, amongst different cleverly designed sections.
Be ready for the sudden
Wild animals are simply that… you by no means know once they’ll determine to return 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 dwell there have been scampering fortunately across the viewing platform in addition to within the timber.
Another tip from the keepers for this part… they’ve labored out that buggies usually include meals, so control your picnic and snacks once they’re in attain of thieving furry paws!
It additionally means you would possibly see, as we did, a puff adder steadily devouring a rat, blood operating down the fur because it wolfed up its prey.
Grimly fascinating to the adults, my daughter was quite a bit much less satisfied. Puff adders apparently have to 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 outdoors for hours. So other than wrapping up heat, there are a couple of locations to purpose for should you can’t really feel your toes.
Butterfly Paradise is tropically humid, whereas Rainforest Life can be deliciously heat.
You not have to 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 probability you’ll get bored. However verify forward of time and it’s also possible to discover particular occasions throughout the yr, 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 can too 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 put up
Save smaller legs
You may rent pushchairs at London Zoo should you 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.
Baby scooters are allowed so long as they’re supervised by an grownup (in contrast to bikes, grownup scooters, rollerskates or anything with wheels).
There’s additionally the particular Penguin Queue Hopper move for households with further wants, to chop down on ready occasions.
Get a reduction on London Zoo tickets
Not like a whole lot of different points of interest, you don’t see a London Zoo low cost code fairly often, however there are a couple of methods to economize on tickets.
Other than members, it’s higher to ebook tickets prematurely to make sure you get the date you need, and also you’ll all the time get the most affordable fee for normal tickets this manner too. Below-threes are additionally free however nonetheless want a ticket to be able to handle numbers.
They’ll be scanned at primary entrance and it’s also possible to present digital variations moderately than printing tickets.
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You’ll be requested to pick out a timeslot as effectively: 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 might choose the earliest slot of the day should you’re undecided what time you’ll arrive.
You can too purchase flexi-tickets, should you’re undecided whenever you need to go to however you have to to redeem these prematurely and select a time and date to go to.
In case you obtain Common Credit score, it’s also possible to get discounted tickets, priced from £3. These are restricted, have to be prebooked on-line and also you do have to convey proof of eligibility.
Members get free entry to London Zoo with their annual move, and don’t have to ebook a timeslot.
For extra concepts on how to economize on days out in London with children, take a look at my high ideas
In case you’ve purchased a London move, it’s also possible to get into London Zoo without spending a dime, simply present the move on arrival
There are typically reductions utilizing Children Move – a one-month membership trial prices £1.
In any other case, one of the simplest ways to economize on London zoo tickets is with Nationwide Rail’s 241 supply, should you go to by prepare. You must convey legitimate prepare tickets (tube tickets don’t rely), 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 baby 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. In case you’re visiting as a part of a gaggle, all the opposite guests should prebook their tickets nonetheless.
You may not use Tesco Clubcard factors for London Zoo tickets and there’s no blue gentle, 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 aspect of the positioning, on the Outer Circle (parallel to Prince Albert Highway). 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’s additionally a automotive park close by, priced from £16 per day – it’s outdoors 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 should you’re approaching the tube – each round a 15-20 minute stroll away (throughout the park, should you’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 Road.
For extra issues to do in Camden with children, take a look at my high picks
Get there early
The zoo opens at 10am year-round (besides Christmas Day, when it’s closed) however closing occasions range 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 may 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 value arriving early to take advantage of the diminished opening hours and likewise to skip a number of the queues. For the entire London Zoo opening occasions, click on right here.
Whereas London Zoo is definitely the perfect zoo in London, youthful children can even love Battersea Park Youngsters’s Zoo and it’s also possible to discover a little 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 high issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers and locations to go to in London with children who love animals.
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PIN FOR LATER: TIPS FOR VISITING LONDON ZOO WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All my ideas for visiting London Zoo with children are primarily based by myself experiences and all opinions are my very own
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