London Zoo — Attraction in London

We went in December, two days after Xmas day. It was quiet ish and there was no line to get in and no need for proof of anything for the UC tickets we had (that gives it one star as it was quick and easy to get in). The restaurant food was good, pricey but it’s London and a museum so expect it to be pricey but I recommend the macaroni cheese and the cheese pizza was enough for me adult and small child so I would say that’s another star. The pizza and mac & cheese cost around £19. Another star for the animals we did see, mainly enjoyed the butterfly area and seeing the penguins. The zoo was decorated nicely, they made it feel Christmasy and had a nice little fire, big nut crackers and the wall paintings are amazing. Would have done the toasted marshmallow but at 4.50 for one, I think that’s a rip off. The children’s park area is a good addition and well maintained, good fun for kids.

Unfortunately that is where the good ends. I’m not fussy by any means but the toilets were disgusting on this day we went…so much so that we avoided them and I had to hold it and so did my 5 year old. There was pee everywhere all over the seats, used toilet paper everywhere and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned all day. I’m talking about the toilets we found scattered around the zoo, not the ones attached to the restaurant, I can’t comment on them as I didn’t go in them but I wish I did instead of the other ones as it was gross! I felt some of the animals were nowhere to be seen, I understand one or two being empty but unfortunately it felt half of the time there was nothing to look at and we did a lot more walking than actually seeing animals. I don’t know if it’s the time of year we went or the time of day but a lot of enclosures were empty, my daughter is 5 so when she sees enclosures with just shrubs and bushes, it’s not exciting. I found it was a bit boring at moments as I was expecting a lot more animals to see. I feel it’s almost a scam if you pay to see animals and only see half of them as they’re not there, at least make the tickets cheaper if you only have half the animals there. The gorillas did look bored and depressed, just sitting on the floor playing with chippings. Over all, I remember having more fun going to this zoo 11 years ago. To give it a fair review, I will try to go here next summer as perhaps it was just because of the weather as to why there wasn’t many animals and maybe in the summer it will be more enjoyable. I would say give yourself at least 4 hours here as we did do 1-4pm and we still didn’t get to see anything as there’s a lot of walking between areas.

Main things they could improve on -

*More Signage for clear directions to places. I found the map not so clear and I know it wasn’t just me who got lost as I saw others getting lost too. *The food is expensive *The toilets were awful and whoever is suppose to be maintaining them in the day, clearly wasn’t. *If there is less animals during winter months, reduce the price to reflect it so people don’t expect more than what they actually get. *There was no face painting when we went so I don’t know why they stared they would be doing it but for £5 for a face paint, I think we would rather not. *The gift shop is a trap to make parents feel like they have to spend money, we rushed through there as quick as possible and didn’t let our daughters who’s birthday it was to pick up anything…I’m not spending £17 on a tiny bean bag monkey.

Over all, might go back again in the summer but would never go back in the winter and I doubt the toilets would be better in the summer either so I think 3/5...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 – London Zoo: A Thoughtful, Family-Friendly Day Out with Room to Grow

London Zoo offers a vibrant and educational day out, perfect for adults, children, and families. We visited on a weekday and found the zoo calm, spacious, and full of engaging experiences from start to finish. The variety of animals is impressive — from big cats and gorillas to reptiles, birds, and more — all housed in thoughtfully designed enclosures that prioritise both visibility for visitors and welfare for the animals.

One of the real highlights was the quality of the talks and feeding demonstrations. We attended the penguin feeding and tiger talk, and both were well-paced, insightful, and delivered with real enthusiasm. The zoo staff were not only knowledgeable but clearly passionate, taking time to answer questions and engage with guests of all ages in an approachable and informative way.

The facilities are excellent throughout, with clean restrooms, well-maintained paths, and thoughtful touches like a multi-faith prayer room, picnic spaces, and quieter areas for visitors who need a break from the busier parts of the zoo. It’s also worth praising the inclusive pricing structure — discounted tickets are available for disabled visitors, carers, and low-income guests, which makes a huge difference in helping families access this experience.

That said, there are areas where the zoo could improve. Discounted ticket holders are only allowed entry from 11am (an hour after standard ticket holders), and the number of these tickets is limited daily. While the intent may be to manage flow, the result is an unequal experience that restricts both time and access for some of the very people the scheme is meant to support. It creates a two-tier system that feels unfair and should be reconsidered if the zoo wants to truly embrace inclusivity.

Food-wise, we had a mixed experience. I really appreciated the clear calorie labelling on menus — a small detail, but very helpful. I had the tomato, feta, and cucumber salad, which was fresh, tasty, and excellent value. My partner went for the mac and cheese, which tasted good and was generous in size, but arrived lukewarm. The portion was good value by volume, but it could’ve been much better served hot.

A frustrating moment was our experience with the unlimited soft drink option. We paid for unlimited refills only to be told after purchase that the dispenser wasn’t working — and were handed four cans of Coke instead. This isn’t acceptable or transparent. It’s not what was sold, and better communication beforehand would have prevented the issue entirely.

Another personal disappointment was that the hippopotamus indoor enclosure (often called the “hot tub” enclosure) was closed during our visit. This was one of the exhibits I was most looking forward to, and there was no prior notice online or at the entrance. It’s understandable that some enclosures may need maintenance or downtime, but better communication about closures would help manage expectations — especially for visitors who have specific animals they’re hoping to see.

Despite these few shortcomings, London Zoo is an inspiring and family-friendly attraction that delivers a well-rounded day out with genuine educational and conservation value. With some improvements around communication and equitable access, it has the potential to be truly world-class. I would absolutely recommend a visit — it’s a memorable and meaningful experience...

I’ve been to London Zoo so many times, so I figured it was finally time to leave a review. First things first: always book your tickets online in advance through their website. If you don’t, you’ll definitely end up waiting in a long queue. With a pre-booked ticket, you basically skip the whole line and walk in within seconds (after a quick security check).

Once you’re inside, grab a map, trust me on this one. It’s way too easy to get lost and find yourself circling the same area over and over. You’ll end up confused or even frustrated when you can’t find the animals you’re looking for, or the toilets, or a decent place to grab food or take a break.

Now, a heads-up: there are areas where the animals might be sleeping or just not visible. Totally understandable, no one’s going to force them to come out just for us (duh). But still, I’ve had several visits where I barely saw anything. You could spend hours walking around, or even a full day, and see very little. Then again, on other visits, the animals are super active and everywhere you turn, something’s going on. Some say it depends on the time of day, and I’d agree, but honestly, after many visits, I think it really just comes down to luck 😂.

The zoo is divided into different sections, from classic animals (land and aquatic) to more unique habitats, some of which might even surprise you. Like open insect zones or dark enclosures for nocturnal creatures. What’s great is that despite how many people visit, the zoo doesn’t feel overly crowded. There’s a lot of space, and it never feels like you’re in the middle of Oxford Circus, which is a blessing.

The staff are lovely, super friendly, helpful, and always happy to share facts or help you find your way. Most of them greet you with a smile, which is honestly great, though sometimes they can be hard to find around the park.

Now for the not-so-great part: the food prices are insane. Everything is seriously overpriced: baguettes, sandwiches, drinks, snacks… all way more expensive than they should be. It’s the kind of pricing that makes you consider just waiting until you leave to eat. And it doesn’t stop there, the gift shop (which you have to walk through to exit the park) is pricey too. I did buy a keychain once, but that’s only because I collect one from every place I visit.

My advice? Book tickets in advance, and go on a warm, sunny day, that gives you the best chance of seeing the animals out and about. Still, even then, there’s no guarantee.

London Zoo is a bit of a gamble. Sometimes it’s amazing and you’ll see loads, other times you’ll walk away feeling a bit let down. If I could rate it 2.5 stars, I would, but since that’s not an option, it’s a 3-star experience for me. Nothing against the staff or the setup, it’s just that when you buy a ticket to a zoo, you do expect to actually see animals, and that doesn’t always...