A day at London Zoo sounds straightforward: arrive, see the animals, have lunch and head home. In reality, there is a lot more to fit in than most first-time visitors expect.

The zoo covers a large site on the edge of Regent’s Park, with animal habitats, keeper talks, indoor exhibits, play areas and seasonal activities. A little planning can save a surprising amount of walking and help you get much more from the day.

Here are five things worth knowing before you go.

1. Arrive early and decide what you really want to see

London Zoo is bigger than it first appears and it is very easy to spend half the day criss-crossing the site.

The zoo is divided into different areas, with major attractions including Land of the Lions, Tiger Territory, Gorilla Kingdom, Penguin Beach, the giraffes and the indoor rainforest.

With children, trying to see every single animal can quickly turn the day into a route march.

A better approach is to choose four or five must-sees before you arrive, then build the rest of the day around them.

The zoo app is useful because it includes a map, animal information and details of what is happening during your visit.

Our tip: arrive close to opening time and visit one of your priority animals first. The zoo becomes noticeably busier later in the day.

2. Check the daily talks before you start walking

One of the easiest mistakes is to spend the first two hours wandering around and then discover that you have just missed the penguin feeding or a keeper talk.

London Zoo runs a programme of animal talks and presentations throughout the day, and these can be some of the most memorable parts of a visit, particularly for children.

Check the boards or the zoo app when you arrive and note down two or three things you would like to catch.

You do not need to plan every minute, but having a rough timetable stops you ending up on the opposite side of the zoo five minutes before something starts.

If you are visiting during summer 2026, it is also worth checking the temporary activities running alongside the animals. These include Horrible Science at London Zoo, which combines animal science with interactive activities and live entertainment.

Our tip: plan the animals around the talks rather than trying to squeeze the talks into an already packed route.

3. The journey from the Tube is longer than many people expect

London Zoo is in Regent’s Park, but Regent’s Park Underground station is not the closest station.

For most visitors, Camden Town is the most convenient Tube station, followed by a walk of around 15 to 20 minutes.

That walk is perfectly manageable for most families at the beginning of the day. It can feel considerably longer when you are doing it in reverse with tired children at 5pm.

Baker Street is another option, particularly if you are happy to use a bus for part of the journey.

If you are bringing a buggy, factor the walk into your day rather than treating the Tube station as being right outside the entrance.

Our tip: save a little energy for the journey home. London Zoo involves far more walking than simply getting around the animal enclosures.

4. Bring a picnic and plenty of drinks

You are allowed to bring your own food into London Zoo, which is particularly useful for families.

There are places to buy hot food, drinks, snacks and ice creams, but bringing a picnic gives you more flexibility and can keep the cost of the day down considerably.

It also means you can stop when the children are hungry rather than joining a busy lunchtime queue.

There are plenty of places around the zoo where you can sit and eat.

A refillable water bottle is worth bringing too, particularly on a warm day.

If you have younger children, think carefully before leaving the buggy at home. Even children who normally walk everywhere can run out of energy after several hours at the zoo. Pushchairs can also be hired on site.

Our tip: take snacks as well as lunch. A strategically timed snack can buy you another hour of happy animal spotting.

5. Don’t leave the indoor areas until the end

On a sunny day it is tempting to concentrate on the outdoor animals, but some of London Zoo’s best areas are indoors.

The Rainforest Life exhibit, reptile areas and other indoor habitats can provide a welcome break from hot weather or rain, as well as giving children a different type of experience.

They are also useful places to visit around lunchtime or when the zoo is busiest.

And remember that animals do not perform to a timetable. Lions may be sleeping. Tigers may be hiding. A gorilla may decide that the back of its enclosure is far more interesting than a crowd of visitors.

If an animal is not visible, move on and come back later rather than waiting endlessly.

That is particularly useful with the big cats, which can be much more active at different points in the day.

Our tip: revisit one or two favourite animals before you leave. A quiet enclosure at lunchtime can be completely different a couple of hours later.

London Zoo: quick guide

Where is it?
Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY.

Nearest Tube:
Camden Town is generally the most convenient, followed by around a 15 to 20-minute walk.

How long should you allow?
With children, allow at least four or five hours. It is very easy to spend almost the whole day there.

Can you bring food?
Yes. Bringing a picnic is one of the easiest ways to make the day cheaper and more flexible.

Can you bring a buggy?
Yes, and buggies can also be hired at the zoo.

Is it good for younger children?
Yes. There is plenty to see even if they are too young to understand all the conservation information, although the amount of walking is worth considering.

Best for: families, animal lovers and children who like a day out with plenty of variety.

Our tip: don’t try to “complete” London Zoo. Pick your favourite animals, catch a couple of keeper talks, stop for lunch and leave enough time to wander. You will probably enjoy the day far more than if you spend six hours checking animals off a list.