Opened in 1828, London Zoo invites you to step into a world of wildlife and wonder. Originally intended for scientific study, London Zoo opened its gates to the public in 1847. Today, it stands as the world’s oldest scientific zoo.
London Zoo is managed by the Zoological Society of London. It is home to a diverse collection of animals. You can find nearly 20,000 individual animals. These represent over 670 different species. This makes London Zoo one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.
The Zoological Society of London was established in 1826. Sir Stamford Raffles obtained the land for London Zoo. Sadly, he died before seeing its completion. The 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne then took over the project. He supervised the building of the first animal houses.
Did you know London Zoo pioneered several firsts? It opened the first reptile house in 1849. The first public aquarium followed in 1853. Then came the first insect house in 1881. And the first children’s zoo in 1938.
London Zoo sits on the northern edge of Regent’s Park. The Regent’s Canal flows through it. The boundary line between the City of Westminster and the borough of Camden runs right through London Zoo.
Once, larger animals like elephants and rhinos lived here. They have since moved to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.
Like many institutions, London Zoo faced challenges during the Second World War. It closed multiple times. Valuable animals were moved to Whipsnade for safety. Bombing damaged several houses. A zebra, a female ass and her foal even escaped during the chaos. For safety, all venomous animals were killed.
Facing possible closure in the 1980s, public support saved London Zoo. Today, London Zoo continues its mission through conservation. It also works to improve animal welfare.
Explore themed areas like Gorilla Kingdom. This area is home to western lowland gorillas. Discover Into Africa with giraffes and zebras. You can also roam through Rainforest Life. It houses sloths and monkeys. Tiger Territory is home to Sumatran tigers. Land of the Lions is designed to resemble an Indian town. It demonstrates how the lion’s habitat overlaps with local environments.
The Snowdon Aviary was redeveloped into Monkey Valley in 2022. Monkey Valley houses eastern black and white colobus monkeys.
London Zoo receives no state funding. It relies on memberships, entrance fees and sponsorships. The zoo also generates income from venue hire. Consider hosting an event here to support their work.
Throughout its history, London Zoo has been a popular filming location. The Reptile House was featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
As you leave London Zoo, remember its history. It’s a place of science, conservation and wonder. Its story continues with each new generation of animals and visitors.