If you're an animal lover and looking for a fun day out, why not take a trip to London Zoo this summer?

The zoo houses more than 20,000 animals ranging from majestic Sumatran tigers to Asian otters and it's certainly worth a visit if you've not been there before.

To help plan your day out, here is a guide to everything you need to know about visiting and getting to London Zoo.

London Zoo map

Opening times:

London Zoo is open every day of the year except on Christmas Day.

Last admission is one hour before advertised closing time.

The entrance

From April 1, 2017 : 10am-6pm

From September 4, 2017 : 10am-5.30pm

From October 21, 2017 : 10am-5pm

From October 30, 2017 : 10am-4pm

Giraffe at London Zoo

Prices:

Ticket prices on the gate are as follows:

Adults: £29.75

Children (3-15 years): £22

Children under 3 years: Free

Concessions (seniors 60 or over, student and disabled adult): £26.80

Online ticket prices are discounted by 10%.

To book tickets in advance visit zsl.org

Directions

By London Underground (Tube):

ZSL London Zoo is within walking distance of Camden Town and Regent's Park stations and a short bus ride from Baker Street station.

Visitors are advised to check the services to these stations before starting their journey. For more information visit Transport for London's service update page on the TfL website .

By National Rail

The nearest mainline station is Euston.

At Euston station, go to bus stop G and take bus number 253 towards the Narroway/Hackney Central to Camden High Street.

At Camden High Street, go to Stop T and take bus number 274 towards Victoria Gate to ZSL London Zoo.

By bus

There are two bus routes you can take.

Service number 274 runs from Marble Arch and Baker Street, to Ormonde Terrace.

Or pick up the C2 from Victoria station, Oxford Circus or Great Portland Street to Gloucester Gate.

By London Overground

The nearest London Overground station is Camden Road.

By car

London Zoo has parking facilities.

Stroke a donkey

Parking:

Parking for zoo visitors is available in the Gloucester Slips Car Park and is payable on the day.

Car/ motorbike: £14.50

Coaches and minibuses £40

Information desk at London Zoo

Daily animal activities:

Penguin Beach Live:11.30am, 1.30pm, 4.30pm

See the penguins in their underwater world while the presenters guide you through the lives of the aquatic birds.

Animals in Action: 12pm

Be amazed as flying and jumping animals demonstrate their natural behaviour in a display in the Amphitheatre

Lunch with the otters:12pm

Join the romp of Asian short clawed otters as they munch on their lunch.

Tigers Live:12pm, 2.30pm

Sumatran tigers Melati and Jae Jae

Join the Zoo Live Team at Tiger Territory for a peek into the lives of Sumatran tigers.

Megabugs Live:1pm

Delve into the world of invertebrates and come face-to-face with some incredible bugs.

Going underground:2pm

Learn all about the Zoo's meerkat, mongoose and porcupines
Learn all about the Zoo's meerkat, mongoose and porcupines

Learn all about the zoo's meerkats, mongoose and porcupines.

Land of the Giants: 2pm

Take a look at Komodo dragons in the reptile house.

Deadly birds Live:2.15pm

Watch hunting and scavenging birds display their skill at finding and catching food.

In with the lemurs: 2.30pm

Get the inside scoop on lemur life from one of the zoo's presenters.

Spider talk:3pm

Orb Spider at ZSL London Zoo

Get up close and personal with bird-eating spiders.

Rainforest Live: 3pm

Learn about tiny Tamarin monkeys and sloths.

Camel Chat: 3.15pm

Find out all about Bactrian camels.

Pygmy Hippos: 3.30pm

Male pygmy hippo Thug takes a dip in the pool in the enclosure at ZSL London Zoo

Meet Thug and Nicky find out the secrets of the mysterious animals.

Big Fish:3.30pm

See the giants of the Amazon and find out how the zoo cares for some of the largest fish.

Super Species Live: 3.30pm

Find out about animal's life-saving natural survival techniques.

Giraffe high tea: 4pm

Learn more about the tallest residents of the zoo while they get stuck into an afternoon snack.

Everything to do in west London and beyond

Disabled Access:

Parking

There are six disabled parking bays near the zoo entrance.

Access

Most of the zoo is accessible for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties.

Tiger Territory is wheelchair friendly and has a lift available for visitors to access the higher viewing platform.

The Aquarium has disabled access via an entrance to the left of the main doorway.

The historic Lubetkin penguin pool has limited viewing for wheelchair users and very small children.

The paths are generally tarmac and there is level or ramped access to most buildings.

Food and drink:

The Terrace Restaurant

This restaurant has a number of different dishes from all around the world, including stone-baked pizza, lasagne and fragrant curries.

Animal Adventure Cafe

Find organic snacks, sandwiches and sweet treats at the Adventure café, plus delicious ice creams. There are lots of healthy options available for children.

Aquarium Kiosk

The Aquarium kiosk has a selection of pastries, hot and cold drinks, tasty sandwiches and cakes to enjoy.

Handy things to know:

  • Even if the weather is bad, there is still plenty to do and see at London Zoo. The Aquarium and Reptile House are both undercover
  • Visitors are allowed to bring food and drink into the zoo
  • Overnight packages are available in Gir Lion Lodge
  • For your security, bags will be searched upon entering the zoo
  • Children under 16 will not be admitted without an adult

  • Some animal exhibits may close up to 30 minutes before closing time

  • You can get a bus to the zoo from Regent's Park tube station or walk through Regent's Park itself which takes around 25 minutes (there's a handy and very cute coffee shop half way)