A travel blogger friend asked me if I thought she should visit London Zoo on her trip to the UK. The short answer was yes, it’s awesome, but the long answer takes a bit more explaining.
I’m an animal nut and a scientist, my degree is in zoology and I adore zoos. When the kids were little we practically lived at London Zoo, every weekend, all year round.
I get very fed up with zoo-bashers, people who think zoos are there to entertain heartless humans lacking in compassion for caged wild creatures. That’s not the case, it hasn’t been for a long time now. What you will find at ZSL London zoo is a million miles from the animals-as -entertainment facilities that I vaguely remember from early childhood.
Here are my best reasons to visit London zoo. I really think you should.
History
Since 1835 Decimus Burton’s giraffe house has been occupied by the animals it was built for. There are additions and wartime repairs, but it’s one of the few buildings still used for its original purpose.
ZSL, the Zoological Society of London, was founded in 1826 by Sir Stamford Raffles. London Zoo opened in 1827 and was an architectural masterpiece. Many of those original buildings remain, now repurposed . The ZSL London Zoo site contains two Grade I and eight Grade II listed buildings, modern additions to the zoo are similarly magnificent. You can read more about the architectural treasures of ZSL London Zoo here
In 1965 the elephant house was awarded the RIBA award for best building in London. The elephants are gone but the building is still in use.
Diversity of Animals
There are almost 17,000 creatures at the zoo representing over 700 species, all beautifully cared for and displayed to maximise our enjoyment and learning whilst maintaining a natural and enriching environment for the residents.
I have two sons, one loves mammals and goes all gooey over meerkats, the other thinks arthropods, arachnids particularly, are beautiful. Both were more than happy at ZSL London Zoo.
Getting Close to the Animals
London is one of the best zoos I know for getting close to the animals. There are no bars or cages in the Rainforest Wild exhibit, the walk through Meet the Monkeys enclosure, the new lemur walk-through, nor in several bird enclosures. This gorgeous tamandua was going for a wander yesterday, plenty of staff were there to make sure the animals weren’t hurt of distressed in any way.
If you are totally insane there is even a walk-through spider enclosure. No thanks!
London also has ways of not just getting you close to the animals, but making you feel what it’s like to BE an animal. The kid-sized meerkat tunnels are fantastic.
The keeper for a day programme is high on our must-do list and I’ve just discovered that Whipsnade offers you the chance to spend a night with the rhinos at its Lookout Lodge. Something else to investigate!
Conservation
Conservation of animals and their habitats is the driving force behind ZSL’s work. They run conservation projects in over 50 countries worldwide and act as an advisory body in conservation issues. This is what ZSL is all about.
Your admission fee helps fund these projects and you will see conservation in action at the zoo.
Yesterday we saw three baby Sumatran tigers. There are only 300 left in the wild. The gorgeous furry creatures get all the attention but the less glamorous species are also fully represented.
World Travel Kids were here.
ZSL is Actually Two Zoos
ZSL has the London Zoo, Regent’s Park, site and Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s biggest zoo just north of London. The bigger animals are out at Whipsnade these days, they have an amazing view of the Chiltern Hills and open grassy enclosures. Whipsnade is well worth a visit.
ZSL is a Charity
The zoo and it’s work deserves your support, by visiting you are helping to fund international animal and habitat conservation. You can donate to ZSL here.
Amazing Staff to Answer Your Questions
My kids are always bursting with questions, it’s really easy to find a member of staff to talk to, keepers and volunteers are everywhere and are happy to give you their time.
Play
The ZSL London Zoo site is dotted with incredible and imaginative play facilities for children of all ages. That sounds clichéd, but tiny tots will enjoy the adventure play areas and water play fountains while big kids can take on more challenging play installations.
Education
Education is, of course, part of conservation, but for those of us on a mission to give our children the best education the world can offer, this is it, it doesn’t get much better. The zoo can offer your kids so much learning that you need to go many, many times to take it all in, this place is just bursting with learning opportunities.
Are You Hooked? Want to Find out More?
The Zoo: The Story of London Zoo
I own these two books and I love them with a passion. Yes, they are affiliate links, if you click through and buy, Amazon pays me about 1 cent or something ridiculous, but they are seriously good books that I wanted to share.
The Tower Menagerie This has little to do with the zoo, it’s about the 600 year history of exotic animals kept at the tower of London. Did you know they once had a polar bear tethered on the banks of the Thames? You can find this book here. The Tower Menagerie: The Amazing 600-Year History of the Royal Collection of Wild and Ferocious Beasts Kept at the Tower of London
London Zoo From Old Photographs The buildings, the famous animals, the keepers and the way the zoo has changed over the years. London Zoo from Old Photographs 1852-1914
If you are looking for a hotel in London, start your search here.
