10 Best Zoos and Aquariums in London

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

If you're looking for options in the heart of the city, you can visit the 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 is a list of my favorite zoos and aquariums in the British capital.

The most important zoo in and around London is famous for its interactive experiences that allow you to meet more than 700 species. At ZSL Zoo you can immerse yourself in natural environments adapted to shelter animals from different parts of the world.

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

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

It is next to one of the best parks in London known as Regent's Park, in the heart of the capital. During the first 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 €.
• Hours: every day of the year but vary according to season.
• Location: in the heart of London.
• How to get there: the nearest subway stations are Camden Town and Regent's Park, but there are also several bus lines.
• What is usually included in the entrance fee 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 in England with more than 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 see piranhas, Cuban crocodiles and other Amazonian species. Among its outstanding thematic areas are:

• The Coral Kingdom: it is one of the most colorful areas where you will find coral reefs of different colors and shapes.
• Penguin Zones: learn about their behavior 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 done 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 colonized numerous marine areas.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 34 €.
• Hours: open Monday to Wednesday from 10:00 to 18:00; Thursday from 11:00 to 18:00 and Friday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00.
• Location: in the Riverside Building, you can take advantage and buy tickets for the London Eye because they are very close to each other.
• How to get there: there are several bus lines that connect with the aquarium. The nearest tube station is Waterloo.
• What is usually included in the ticket: access to 14 themed areas, touch pools and talks or feeding sessions.

If you plan to visit London with children you can't miss Battersea Park Children's Zoo. This place offers a tour through wildlife and shelters 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.
• Hours: in summer from 10:00 to 17:30 and in winter from 10:00 to 16:30.
• Location: in Battersea Park, a large park on the banks of the River Thames that offers other attractions such as Go Ape.
• How to get there: connected by bus and subway, the nearest stations being Battersea Park and Queenstown Road.
• What is usually included in the ticket: access to the attractions and shows, as well as the adventure park and animal experiences.

If you have time to explore the coastal area near London, you can't miss SEA Life Brighton. It belongs to the same chain as SEA Life London and if you have time you can visit both to choose your favorite. It is different because it focuses on British marine life and is smaller with around 5000 animals of 100 different species.

In addition to appreciating the marine life you can take advantage of a host of entertaining activities, among which are:

• The glass tunnels where you can walk surrounded by fish, sharks and rays.
• The day and night exhibits that allow you to see the transformation of the ecosystems and 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 the ticket online and approximately 21 € if you buy it at the door. Note that the boat ride is usually paid separately.
• Hours: generally open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Location: on 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 with admission: Access to all areas and attractions, such as the underwater tunnel and interactive activities.

If you like adventures you have to visit Paradise Wildlife Park in the county of Hertfordshire. You will surely be amazed with its acres of wildlife and themed attractions. I recommend you to dedicate a whole day so you can explore all the things to do in this place, here are my favorites 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 of different types of animals, even the wildest looking ones.
• Explore some of the world's most magnificent felines, 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 The World of Dinosaurs, which has spectacular attractions such as life-size animatronic dinosaurs. You will be able to see and hear Velociraptors, T Rex, Spinosaurus and many more. In this area you will enjoy attractions such as:

• Riding the Rex Express dinosaur train to tour this themed world.
• Play a game of miniature golf on a 9-hole themed course, which mixes dinosaurs and a wild safari.
• Relax on an artificial beach with water attractions where African penguins roam.

Details of interest

• Price: from 23 € if purchased online, but can be more expensive at the door.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:30, the last entrance is usually at 16:30 and the schedule may vary slightly depending on the season.
• Location: on White Stubbs Lane.
• How to get there: the 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.

You can't miss the Whipsnade Zoo Aquarium, considered the largest zoo in the United Kingdom. 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 more than 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.

Details of interest

• Price: from €30 per adult, with discounts for children.
• Hours: daily in summer from 10:00 to 18:00 and in winter from 10:00 to 16:00.
• Location: in Dunstable.
• How to get there: you can drive there in record time on the M25. Or take bus lines 40 and 40A. Also the nearest train stations are Leagrave and Luton.
• What is usually included in the ticket: access to the zoo, interactive activities and interactive areas such as the aquarium and the butterfly house.

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

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

Interesting details

• Price: it is free of charge.
• Hours: The farm is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Location: on Pier Street.
• How to get there: Accessible by DLR (London Light Railway), bus or via the cycle routes.
• What's usually included with admission: You can see all the animal areas and enjoy the interactive experiences.

London's parks hide natural wonders and you'll find options just outside that will leave you speechless. Among my favorites is 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 deer colony or enjoy a completely peaceful wooded area. If you visit the park on Wednesdays around 13:00 you can enjoy a free tour of the facilities. During the walk, you will be free to feed, pet and hold some of the animals, accompanied by a ranger.

The advantage of taking 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.
• Hours: daily from 7:00 and closing times depend on the station.
• Location: on 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 included in the ticket: interaction with the animals.

The Golden Hills Park Zoo is a quieter, wilder option in the heart of London. It is 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 started to be protected.

In fact, in London you will hardly ever see animals locked in cages, as most spaces have evolved into interactive experiences with habitats adapted according to the needs of each species.

Details of interest

• Price: free of charge.
• Hours: daily from 7:30 a.m. and closing time is at dusk, varies according to season.
• Location: North End Way, on the outskirts of London.
• How to get there: you can take bus lines 210 and 268.
• What's included in the ticket: you can interact with the animals.

Another option you can 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 specializes in the rescue and conservation of rare and endangered animals, so you can see animals you didn't even know existed.

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

Details of interest

• Price: free of charge.
• Hours: Every day from April to September from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; September to March from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• Location: Within Brent Lodge Park.
• How to get there: the nearest train station is Hanwell, about 14 minutes walk away.
• What's usually included with admission: You can see and interact with some of the animals.