| Product: |
London Zoo |
| Date: |
12/06/06 (1297 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: A Really Enjoyable And Memorable Day Out, Donation To Charity.
Disadvantages: Check The Weather, Zoos in General, Costs.
As a child, living in London, my Boyfriend was taken to London Zoo – the memory has stuck with him forever. As a result, I sweetly agreed to go with him for his birthday. I expected to be bored by listless or non-appearing animals as he wallowed in nostalgia but this couldn’t have been further from the truth.
We had a fantastic day, London Zoo turning out to be an oasis of calm on a Friday in central London. The tranquil atmosphere combined with some very close up views of the animals was really achieving the impossible in what should be a very busy attraction. I was amazed how tame the animals were and how relaxed the whole experience was.
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Price;
The tickets are reasonably priced – Remember it does go to charity. This is still considerably cheaper than high summer theme park rip-offs. There is allegedly an optional £1.50 donation to the Gorilla Programme. Don’t expect to be offered the chance to waive this donation!
You really need to buy your tickets in advance, you’ll save a lot of money this way. South west trains had a 2 for 1 offer the week we went (saving of £13.00!!). Silverlink trains currently have this offer – see http://www.silverlink-trains.com/leisure/2for1a.ht ml The offers rotate so do shop around, you’ll make a massive saving. Easist way is just to Google it. You can buy the tickets from the zoo website which offers a 10% discount < http://www.zsl.org/shop/tickets/> BUT you must do this at least a day before you go. You can’t buy same day tickets on the zoo site.
Adult £13.30
Child £10.50
Concession £11 .50
Children under 3 years are free
The guidebook will cost you an extra £3.50, you can save this expense just by printing stuff off from the Zoo website
(http://www.zsl.org/london-zoo/ or http://www.zsl.org/info/about-us/ )
and just reading the signs carefully. The map you get at the gate is comprehensive enough. Remember, if you’re really interested in something you can have fun looking it up at home. A day out is for seeing stuff. Read about it afterwards.
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London Zoo Contact Details;
Contact Details for the Zoo;
Telephone Number: 02077223333
Address: Outer Circle,
Regents Park,
London NW1 4RY
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Weather;
Beware, this one big concrete puddle with very little shelter in the rain. (Unless you want to spend the day in the Reptile House.) Choose your day wisely!
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Animals:
We saw far more than I ever expected. The tiger was sat so close to the window of its habitat that the glass was the only thing between us.
I loved to be able to walk through the bird enclosure. The birds literally fly around you and are kept in but not separated from the visitors by netting. I was stunned by the scarlet ibis!
The Lions were fantastic, sunning themselves in a lazy way. The Pygmy Hippo bathed in front of us and we laughed at the bearded pigs which looked a lot like one of our neighbours.
The Bactrian Camel was having his hoof looked at and the Komodo Dragon is too dangerous to be handled by Zoo staff! Great stuff and really educational. For a donation you can sponsor animals and have your name entered on a wall of fame.
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Enclosures;
The reptile house is sunny and tropical with wooden planking, making the concrete fish house (under renovation at the time of our visit) look dank, dingy and outdated. One of the most exciting things we saw in a fish tank was the hand cleaning it out. Most enclosures were well sized and the animals happy. The mountain area where the bears are kept is quite a stunning backdrop!
There’s also an original cage from the Zoo’s early days – a real curiosity – very tiny compared to what we expect now! There was no feeling of trapped misery, but I would expect that the animals come under a great deal of stress with the number of visitors and the confines of captivity in high summer. I have some reservations about this. I like to think that all animal attractions are as well run as this and there is an argument for research on and protection of species undertaken here.
They’re currently building the Gorilla Enclosure so expect this to be swish and modern.
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Tips & Hints;
Camden Town is the nearest tube for the zoo – people will try to convince you to get off at Regents Park. Don’t. The 8 minute stroll through Camden Market is a lot more fun than the long hike through the park and you might find something you like. Look for the ZSL building as a landmark.
If you choose to drive, the car park is a good size, near the main gate and outside the congestion zone. Perfect.
If going with children; Try to start a little later so that you make it to the end of the day. As the visitors diminish the park really comes into its own and the animals come out to play.
Ice-cream and tat are on offer immediately as you enter the zoo. In preparation, make sure your little darlings already have ice-cream in hand from the newsagents on Camden High Street. You’ll avoid over-paying and queuing 20 mins to do so. Or screaming kids. Don’t expect an easy ride at the Gift Shop either.
Wear comfy shoes, there's a fair bit of walking involved and as I watched a lady struggle in thigh-high stilettos, I realised she was getting as many spectators as the tigers.
The food on offer is simple and fairly expensive, your own sandwiches are a good idea and there are plenty of quiet places to eat these.
Toilets are just inside the main entrance. Use these before entering the zoo as once inside the Ladies is very hard to find thanks to current renovation!
If you’re going without school age children; go on a weekday. They still have the feeding etc but the park is relatively quiet.
If going without any children: The Gloucester Castle is your nearest pub and is en route to Camden Town station. They have some great live bands and cheap drinks. Oh, and there’s a photo of Suggs over the bar.
Summary: Do your research before you go!
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