London Zoo opened on 27 April 1828 in Regent’s Park, making it the world’s oldest scientific zoo. It was founded by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), established two years earlier for the study of animal life, and the zoo only opened to the general public in 1847 after its first two decades as a members-only scientific collection.
Over nearly two centuries, London Zoo has racked up a string of firsts: the world’s first public aquarium in 1853, the first reptile house in 1849, the first insect house in 1881, and the first children’s zoo in 1938. Today it remains one of London’s most visited attractions, still run by ZSL on its original 36-acre Regent’s Park site alongside its sister site, Whipsnade Zoo, and in 2026 it is marking ZSL’s 200th anniversary with a year of special exhibits and events.
Quick Answer
London Zoo sits in Regent’s Park, central London, and is open daily year-round, typically from 10am with closing time sliding between around 4pm in winter and 6pm in summer (last entry is usually an hour before close). Tickets are cheaper booked online in advance than bought at the gate, with reduced rates for children and free entry for under-3s. Check the official ZSL London Zoo site for the exact current calendar, prices, and any 200th-anniversary event dates.
A Zoo of Firsts
London Zoo’s history is defined by innovation. Beyond its landmark 1828 founding, it introduced the first public aquarium in 1853, the first purpose-built reptile house in 1849, and the first insect house in 1881, setting patterns that zoos around the world later followed. Many of its historic buildings, including the Snowdon Aviary and the Penguin Pool, carry Grade I or Grade II listed status for their architectural significance.
The zoo survived a serious financial crisis in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when falling visitor numbers and rising costs nearly forced its closure. A wave of public donations and renewed visitor interest kept it open, and ZSL has since focused the site on conservation and endangered-species breeding rather than simple animal display.
Conservation, Today’s Collection, and the 200th Anniversary
London Zoo now participates in breeding programmes for a wide range of threatened species, reflecting ZSL’s broader mission as a conservation and research charity rather than a purely commercial attraction. Its annual stocktake, when keepers count every animal on site, has become a well-known London media event each January; the 2025 count recorded roughly 372 species and 8,829 individual animals.
2026 marks 200 years since ZSL’s founding in 1826, and the Zoo is running a year-long programme of anniversary activity, including a heritage exhibition on ZSL’s history (included with standard Zoo entry) and family celebration events through the year. It’s a good year to time a visit around, since some of the anniversary content is temporary.
Top Exhibits and What to See
Tiger Territory brings visitors face to face with critically endangered Sumatran tigers through floor-to-ceiling glass, with viewing platforms where the tigers can often be seen swimming or lounging. Gorilla Kingdom recreates an African rainforest setting for the Zoo’s western lowland gorilla troop, and keeper talks cover diet, behaviour, and ZSL’s gorilla conservation work in the wild.
Penguin Beach houses England’s largest penguin pool, with underwater viewing windows onto the resident Humboldt penguin colony. Other highlights include Rainforest Life, a walk-through indoor rainforest with free-roaming monkeys and sloths, and Into Africa, home to giraffes, zebras, and African wild dogs. Most visitors spend around three to four hours seeing the main exhibits at a comfortable pace.
Planning Your Visit: Hours, Tickets, and Getting There
London Zoo is open every day of the year, with opening hours that follow a seasonal pattern: doors typically open at 10am, and closing time moves later in spring and summer and earlier in autumn and winter, with last admission generally an hour before the gates close. Because exact daily times and any anniversary-event hours can change, always check the official ZSL London Zoo website before you travel.
Ticket pricing follows a tiered structure: adult and child (roughly ages 3–15) rates, with under-3s admitted free, and separate peak and off-peak pricing depending on the date. Booking online in advance is consistently cheaper than paying on the day at the gate, and ZSL and Whipsnade combined or annual membership passes are worth considering for repeat visitors. Group, school, and Gift Aid/donation-inclusive options are also available through the official site.
The Zoo sits on the Outer Circle of Regent’s Park. By tube, the nearest stations are Camden Town or Chalk Farm on the Northern line, each roughly a 15–20 minute walk away; bus routes including the 274 and 88 stop closer to the entrance. There is a paid on-site car park with a limited number of spaces and dedicated Blue Badge/disabled bays, plus pay-and-display parking along the Outer Circle and elsewhere in Regent’s Park — arriving by tube or bus is usually easier than driving, especially on busy weekends and school holidays.
London Zoo FAQs
When did London Zoo open?
London Zoo opened on 27 April 1828, initially only for members of the Zoological Society of London, before opening to the general public in 1847.
Who runs London Zoo?
London Zoo is run by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a conservation charity founded in 1826. ZSL also operates Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.
What are London Zoo’s opening hours?
The Zoo is open daily, typically from around 10am, with closing time varying seasonally between roughly 4pm in winter and 6pm in summer and last entry an hour before close. Confirm exact times for your visit date on the official ZSL London Zoo site.
How much are tickets to London Zoo?
Tickets are split into adult and child price bands, with under-3s free, and cost less when booked online in advance than at the gate on the day. Prices also vary by peak versus off-peak dates, so check current rates on the official site before booking.
How do I get to London Zoo by public transport?
The nearest tube stations are Camden Town and Chalk Farm on the Northern line, both about a 15–20 minute walk from the Zoo. Buses including the 274 and 88 stop nearer the entrance, and Camden Road is the closest London Overground station.
Is there parking at London Zoo?
Yes, there is a paid on-site car park on the Outer Circle of Regent’s Park with a limited number of spaces, including Blue Badge bays, plus pay-and-display parking along nearby stretches of the park. Space is limited, especially at weekends and during school holidays, so public transport is often easier.
How many animals live at London Zoo?
According to ZSL’s 2025 annual stocktake, London Zoo was home to about 8,829 individual animals representing roughly 372 species.
How long should I spend at London Zoo?
Most visitors spend around three to four hours seeing the main exhibits, such as Tiger Territory, Gorilla Kingdom, and Penguin Beach, at a relaxed pace.
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