10 Best Zoos and Aquariums in London

Among the best things to do in London are visits to its zoos and aquariums. You can discover different types of animals and even interact with those accustomed to human contact. The city also has spaces dedicated to endangered species and marine creatures.

If you're looking for options in the heart of the city, you can visit ZSL Zoo, which houses impressive animal-themed worlds. Or stop by SEA Life London to immerse yourself in the wonders of the ocean and discover a large community of Gentoo penguins. You can also take advantage of farms, dinosaur worlds and children's zoos. Here's a list of my favourite zoos and aquariums in the British capital.

The largest zoo in and around London is famous for its interactive experiences that allow you to learn about more than 700 species. At ZSL Zoo you can immerse yourself in natural environments adapted to house animals from around the world.

In most areas you can interact with the animals, participate in feeding sessions or view them from a safe distance. When you buy tickets for ZSL Zoo you can enjoy access to all areas, which include:

• Butterfly Paradise.
• The Reptile House.
• Penguin Beach.
• Land of the Lions.
• Tiger Territory.
• Gorilla Kingdom.

It is next to one of London' s finest parks, Regent's Park, in the heart of the capital. During the early years of the zoo, the animals were kept in cages, but later they were adapted to the needs of each species through advanced technology.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 37 €.
• Opening hours: Every day of the year but vary according to season.
• Location: in the heart of London.
• How to get there: The nearest tube stations are Camden Town and Regent's Park, but there are also several bus routes.
• What is usually included in the ticket price access to the zoo and its special areas.

If you are interested in marine life you should consider tickets to the SEA Life aquarium in London. It is the largest aquarium in England with over 500 species and 14 themed zones. Here you can walk through a long tunnel and see sharks swimming around you.

It houses species from all over the world and offers educational activities such as feeding sessions. Inside it is possible to spot piranhas, Cuban crocodiles and other Amazonian species. Among its thematic areas are the following:

• The Coral Kingdom: it is one of the most colourful areas where you will find coral reefs of different colours and shapes.
• Penguin Zones: learn about their behaviour and habitat, while meeting a large flock of Gentoo penguins, the third largest penguin species in the world. In fact, if you visit London in winter and book tickets for SEA Life London you may notice that this area is dimly lit. This is to emulate conditions in the Southern Hemisphere, where these animals live.
• Ocean Invaders: Jellyfish are one of the oldest animals in the world. The aquarium has a section where you can learn to differentiate them and learn how they have colonised numerous marine areas.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 34 €.
• Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday 10am-6pm; Thursday 11am-6pm and Friday to Sunday 10am-7pm.
• Location: at the Riverside Building, you can take advantage and buy tickets for the London Eye as they are very close to each other.
• How to get there: there are several bus lines that connect to the aquarium. The nearest tube station is Waterloo.
• What's usually included in the ticket: access to 14 themed areas, touch pools and talks or feeding sessions.

If you are planning to visit London with children you can't miss Battersea Park Children's Zoo. This place offers a journey through wildlife and is home to more than 100 animals, as well as some endangered species. It is located half an hour from the city and is popular for its family attractions:

• The interactive farm is an area where informative talks and animal interaction sessions are often held. Here children can touch the animals in the company of a park ranger.
• The adventure park is a wilder area that includes themed games and climbing walls.

If you plan to be in London for 2 days or for a very small window of time, you can include it in your itinerary as it is a short visit. This is because it is smaller and more manageable than other zoos, allowing you to comfortably tour it in a couple of hours.

Details of interest

• Price: from 10 € for adults and with cheaper options for children, families and seniors.
• Opening hours: 10am-5.30pm in summer and 10am-4.30pm in winter.
• Location: Battersea Park, a large park on the banks of the River Thames which also offers other attractions such as Go Ape.
• How to get there: Connected by bus and tube, with the nearest stations being Battersea Park and Queenstown Road.
• What's on the ticket: Access to the rides and shows, as well as the adventure park and animal experiences.

If you have time to explore the coastal area near London, SEA Life Brighton is not to be missed. It belongs to the same chain as SEA Life London and if you have time you can visit both to choose your favourite. It differs in that it focuses on British marine wildlife and is smaller with around 5000 animals of 100 different species.

As well as appreciating the marine life you can take advantage of a host of entertaining activities, including:

• The glass tunnels where you can walk surrounded by fish, sharks and rays.
• The day and night exhibitions that allow you to see the transformation of the ecosystems and to witness seasonal shows.
• The submersible boat ride that has transparent crystals so you can see amazing animals underwater.

Details of interest

• Price: from €15 if you buy your ticket online and approximately €21 if you buy it on the door. Please note that the boat ride is usually charged separately.
• Opening hours: Generally open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Location: Marine Parade, on the outskirts of London.
• How to get there: Several train and bus lines connect easily to the Aquarium.
• What's usually included in the ticket: Access to all areas and attractions, such as the underwater tunnel and interactive activities.

If you like adventure, you must visit Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire. You're sure to be amazed by its acres of wildlife and themed attractions. I recommend you to dedicate a whole day to explore all the things to do in this place, here are my favourites inside the zoo:

• Discover over 1200 exotic birds, as well as rare mammal species including the red panda.
• Enjoy natural spectacles, such as bird flights.
• Participate in feeding sessions with different types of animals, even the wildest looking ones.
• Explore some of the world's most magnificent cats, such as snow leopards and white lions.
• Visit a farm-like area to see animals such as goats, rabbits, sheep and ferrets.

In the middle of the zoo is Dinosaur World, which has spectacular attractions such as life-size animatronic dinosaurs. You can see and hear the roar of Velociraptors, T Rex, Spinosaurus and many more. In this area you will enjoy attractions such as:

• Boarding the Rex Express dinosaur train to travel around this themed world.
• Play a game of mini-golf on a 9-hole themed course, which mixes dinosaurs and a wild safari.
• Relax on a man-made beach with water attractions where African penguins roam.

Details of interest

• Price: from €23 if bought online, but can be more expensive on the door.
• Opening hours: Every day from 10am to 5.30pm, last entry is usually at 4.30pm and opening times may vary slightly depending on the season.
• Location: White Stubbs Lane.
• How to get there: Nearest train station is Broxbourne, about 20 minutes walk away.
• What's usually included in the ticket: Access to all attractions, such as Dinosaur World.

Whipsnade Zoo Aquarium is considered the largest zoo in the UK. It is located fifty minutes from London and also allows you to visit its aquarium, so you can merge both attractions in one place. Enjoy the animal world and wildlife, as well as its best attractions:

• Butterfly House, a sanctuary with over 30 species.
• Hullabazoo Farm, an interactive experience that allows you to get up close to pygmy goats, miniature donkeys and guinea pigs.
• Monkey Forest, where you can walk among lemurs, babblers and babirusas.
• Outdoor play areas, ideal for children with swings, mini jeeps, bridges, boats and climbing structures.
• The Whipsnade Railway, which allows you to tour the facility in comfort aboard a steam train.
• The Aquarium is smaller than the rest of the zoo but has exhibits of Asian species and fish from Madagascar. In addition, you can see annual Nothobranchius sainthousei fish that live in puddles and only survive during the rainy season.

It's ideal for those looking for a fun getaway from London within walking distance.

Interesting details

• Price: from £30 per adult, with discounts for children.
• Opening hours: Every day in summer 10am-6pm and in winter 10am-4pm.
• Location: in Dunstable.
• How to get there: You can drive there in record time on the M25. Or take bus routes 40 and 40A. Also the nearest train stations are Leagrave and Luton.
• What's on the ticket: Access to the zoo, interactive activities and interactive areas such as the aquarium and butterfly house.

If you like farms, you're sure to have a great time at Mudchute Theme Park and Farm It's quieter than other animal spaces and is considered one of the largest urban farms in Europe. On Saturdays and Sundays there are interactive sessions with animals so you can touch and feed them.

The variety of rare British breeds of animals also makes this a local point of interest. It's fun for the little ones, especially on Saturdays when there are Mudchute Play sessions where the whole family can play with mud and engage with nature. The farm has also been used as a film set for series and movies.

Interesting details

• Price: free of charge.
• Hours: The farm is open from 9:00 to 17:00.
• Location: on Pier Street.
• How to get there: You can get there by DLR (London Light Railway), bus or via the cycle routes.
• What's usually included in your ticket: You can see all the animal areas and enjoy the interactive experiences.

London's parks hide natural wonders and you'll find options on the outskirts that will leave you speechless. Among my favourites is the Maryon Wilson Animal Park, located thirty-five minutes away in the borough of Greenwich. This small zoo borders the River Thames and has 15 species of animals including geese, ducks and goats.

Many people come to this London gem to see its colony of deer or enjoy a completely peaceful wooded area. If you visit the park on Wednesdays at around 13:00 you can enjoy a free tour of the grounds. During the walk, you'll be free to feed, pet and hold some of the animals, accompanied by a ranger.

The advantage of doing this type of tour of London's parks and gardens is that you can access remote areas that are not open to the general public.

Details of interest

• Price: free, but guided tours are usually offered on Wednesdays at 13:00.
• Opening times: Every day from 7am and closing times depend on the station.
• Location: Thorntree Road, Greenwich, on the outskirts of London.
• How to get there: Accessible by train or bus, with Charlton being the nearest train station.
• What's usually included in the ticket: interaction with the animals.

Golders Hill Park Zoo is a quieter, wilder option in the heart of London. It's small but charming and offers exotic birds and wild animals, allowing you to see:

• Ring-tailed lemurs.
• Scottish wildcats
• Bennett's Wallabies.
• Eagle owls.
• Kookaburras.
• Fallow deer.
• Pedigree hens

The history of the zoo is very interesting. In fact, between World War I and World War II they almost ran out of animals, as there was not enough food and people opted for hunting. After this, most animal spaces began to be protected.

In fact, in London you'll rarely see animals locked up in cages, as most spaces have evolved into interactive experiences with habitats adapted to the needs of each species.

Details of interest

• Price: free of charge.
• Opening hours: Every day from 7.30am and closing time is dusk, varies according to season.
• Location: North End Way, on the outskirts of London.
• How to get there: You can use bus routes 210 and 268.
• What's on the ticket: You can interact with the animals.

Another option to explore is a visit to Hanwell Zoo, a zoo thirty minutes from London. Here you can see marmosets, fallow deer, ostriches and other exotic species. This place specialises in the rescue and conservation of rare and endangered animals, so you can see animals you didn't even know existed.

It offers educational programmes to learn about the animals and their habitat, as well as a playground where children can play.

Interesting details

• Price: free of charge.
• Hours: Everyday April to September 10am-5pm; September to March 10am-4pm.
• Location: Within Brent Lodge Park.
• How to get there: The nearest train station is Hanwell, about 14 minutes walk away.
• What's usually included in the ticket: You can see and interact with some of the animals.