London Zoo, established in 1828, is the world's oldest scientific zoo and home to over 20,000 animals. Situated in Regent's Park, the zoo spans 36 acres and offers a variety of exhibits and habitats, showcasing species from around the globe, including gorillas, lions, and penguins. Visitors can enjoy interactive experiences, educational programs, and special events throughout the year. The zoo also emphasizes conservation efforts and aims to inspire visitors to protect wildlife and their habitats. Unique attractions include the Land of the Lions exhibit and the Flying Penguins experience, making it a fascinating destination for all ages.
What each source says
- Google Places 4.3 34,618
- Tripadvisor 3.5 7,684
- Viator 3.7 2,855
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-21.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Convenient Amenities and Services Visitors appreciate the availability of restaurants, cafes, and gift shops, making it easy to spend a full day at the zoo. The inclusion of water refill stations and family-friendly facilities like play areas enhances the overall experience.
- Diverse Animal Collection London Zoo boasts a significant variety of animals from around the world, including popular species like lions, tigers, gorillas and penguins. Walk-through enclosures and immersive experiences get visitors up close with the animals.
- Educational and Engaging The zoo offers engaging signs, exhibits and keeper talks that share information about animal habitats, behaviors, and conservation status. This makes it a valuable learning experience for both children and adults.
- Special Events and Experiences London Zoo offers unique events such as adults-only nights and animal encounters (like tiger feeding) that provide a different perspective. These enhance the visit for those looking for something beyond the typical zoo experience.
- Well-Maintained and Organized The zoo is noted for its cleanliness and organization, making it easy to navigate and enjoyable for families and individuals alike. The spacious enclosures reflect the animals' natural environments and a lot of care and love goes into everything.
Criticised
- Animal Visibility Varies Some animals may be hidden or sleeping during your visit, depending on the time of day and weather conditions. It may be helpful if the Zoo shared "peak times" for animal sightings.
- Can Be Crowded As a popular attraction, the zoo can get very crowded, especially on weekends and during peak seasons. Expect long queues, especially at the entrance and popular exhibits.
- Food Options Limited and Expensive While the zoo has restaurants and cafes, the food options can be limited, especially for those with dietary restrictions. Many find the food to be expensive.
- Significant Walking Required The zoo is large, requiring a considerable amount of walking to see everything. While there are places to rest, those with mobility issues or small children may find it tiring.
- Some Areas May Be Under Construction Certain animal houses or exhibits may be temporarily closed for renovation or rehousing, which can be disappointing if you're hoping to see specific animals. Check in advance if there is something specific you want to see.
The longer read
London Zoo is a popular attraction suitable for families, kids, and adults, offering a fun and educational experience. Many reviewers found the zoo to be larger than expected with a great variety of animals, including lions, tigers, gorillas, penguins, and reptiles. The enclosures are generally spacious and well-maintained, allowing for close encounters with the animals in walk-through exhibits like the lemur and monkey enclosures, and the butterfly house. The zoo is noted for its conservation efforts and the obvious care given to the animals. Staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the animals. Many reviewers appreciated the cleanliness and organization of the zoo, with clear signage and maps available, though some found the route unclear. The zoo offers various facilities, including restaurants, cafes, and a gift shop with reasonably priced items. Several reviewers recommended taking advantage of water refill stations and bringing your own food and snacks due to the high cost and limited options for those with dietary restrictions. Some reviewers mentioned closures of certain exhibits for renovation, which may affect the overall experience. Others recommend checking to see which animals are on exhibit as some animals may be at Whipsnade. Many reviewers recommend the adult-only nights, which offer a unique experience with food vendors and a festival vibe. Reviewers also recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid long queues, especially during peak times. Some found the zoo to be expensive, but still worthwhile. Several reviewers suggested a membership for year-round access. A few reviewers enjoyed special experiences like the tiger encounter, meerkat experience, and the friendly spider program. Some reviewers noted parking nearby, which is convenient. Several reviewers with disabilities were able to hire mobility scooters. Overall, London Zoo provides a memorable day out, but it is recommended to plan ahead and be aware of potential closures and costs.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 344 225 1826
- Website
- londonzoo.org
| Mon | 10:00 - 18:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Wed | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Thu | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Fri | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Sat | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Sun | 10:00 - 18:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.1 against a median of 4.6 across the 7 venues we hold for Primrose Hill, and the most-reviewed of them.
Still deciding?
- What types of animals can visitors see at London Zoo?
- Are there any special exhibits or unique attractions currently at London Zoo?
- When is the best time of year or day to visit London Zoo for fewer crowds and active animals?
- What family-friendly activities or facilities does London Zoo offer for children?
- How does London Zoo contribute to wildlife conservation and education?
Where this comes from
Venue records are drawn from the Mindtrip travel index, which aggregates place data and review signals from Google Places, Tripadvisor and booking providers. Ratings are reproduced per source rather than merged into a single number. Distances to nearby venues are computed here as great-circle distances between the published coordinates, not walking or driving routes. Comparison figures are medians computed across the venues we hold for the same neighbourhood or city.
Source: Mindtrip travel index, captured 2026-08-21.
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.