What are your opening times?
For ZSL London Zoo - Until 24th March 2018, our opening times are 10am – 5.30pm (Last entry 4.30pm). From 25th March 2018 until 2nd September our opening times are 10am to 6pm (last entry 6pm).
For ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Until 24th March 2018, our opening times are 10am – 5.30pm (Last entry 4.30pm). From 25th March 2018 until 2nd September (excluding 23rd June where the Zoo will close at 5pm for Sunset Safari) our opening times are 10am to 6pm (last entry 6pm).
How much are tickets to the Zoos?
Our ticket prices vary at each Zoo and throughout the year - see prices for ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
Can I buy tickets when I arrive?
Yes, you certainly can buy your tickets at the main entrance. However if you want to beat the queues and save 10% off the ticket price, we recommend you book online in advance!
I have tickets booked for certain day – can I change the date we use them?
Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable as per our T&C’s so pre-booked tickets are only valid on the specified date.
I am bringing children with me who are under three. Do I need to pay for them?
Children under the age of 3 years are entitled to free entry to both of our Zoos.
Do you have any offers?
We occasionally run special offers and ticket promotions, so do keep an eye on our website for the latest information.
I have a London Pass – can I get in free? (ZSL London Zoo only)
Yes. As long as the London Pass is valid it will grant you free access to ZSL London Zoo.
How do I use National Rail’s 241 offer? (ZSL London Zoo only)
The National Rail 2 for 1 voucher is available to use throughout the year. On arrival, one adult (or child) is admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult who pays the full adult price at the main entrance.
One discount voucher may be used per two people. Please make sure you bring train tickets valid on the day of your visit and a printed copy of the voucher or booklet. Train tickets need to display the National Rail symbol and be valid on the date of your visit. This voucher cannot be used in conjunction with pre-booked tickets, other promotions, or vouchers such as Tesco Clubcard vouchers.
For further information, please check out the Days Out Guide page.
How can I use my Tesco Clubcard points? Do you still accept Tesco paper vouchers?
To use your Tesco Clubcard points, you need to redeem your points with Tesco prior to visiting ZSL London Zoo or ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Tesco will then issue a QR Code which needs to be shown on the day you wish to visit. This code can either be printed and brought with you or shown on your phone upon entering.
On arrival, the QR code is scanned and points are deducted off the total cost of entry tickets. You can then pay any remaining balance on your purchase, by card or cash.
Tesco Clubcard vouchers cannot be used as payment for online ticket purchases, ZSL Membership, experiences, car parking, or car entry. Tesco Clubcard paper vouchers are still accepted and valid until their issued expiry date.
Can I use my Blue Peter badge to obtain free entry? What do I need to show for this?
Yes, we grant Blue Peter badge holders here at ZSL, free entry. To take advantage of this, each badge holder must be accompanied by one adult having purchased a full-price adult ticket at the main entrance. The badge holder will need to bring their badge or supporting card with them on arrival to gain free entry.
Can I store my luggage when I visit?
We have a limited number of self-service lockers for hire at ZSL London Zoo. These are located next to the aquarium. They can be used from £1 per hour for a medium sized locker or from, £2 per hour for a large locker. Unfortunately they cannot be reserved and there are a limited number available on a first-come-first-serve basis so we do recommend wherever possible that you don’t visit the Zoo with luggage. We unfortunately cannot hold luggage once all the lockers are occupied.
Can you hire wheelchairs?
Yes, wheelchairs are available for hire from both ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo on a first come, first served, basis. Alternatively, you call ahead and reserve one of our wheelchairs in advance via 0344 225 1826. You’ll need to pay a £25 deposit when hiring a wheelchair, but this will be refunded after the wheelchair is returned to Zoo staff undamaged.
Can you hire prams?
Yes, prams are available for hire from both ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo on a first come, first served, basis.
Can you hire trikes?
Yes, trikes are available for hire from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo only, for a fee of £5, on a first come, first served, basis. They are suitable for children aged 18 months up to a maximum weight of 20kg and can be hired from the retail tills at our Visitor Centre. You'll need to pay a deposit of £20 when hiring a trike, but this will be refunded after the trike is returned at the end of the day.
We recommend that all children using these use a helmet - we have a limited number available, please ask.
Do you offer a discount for students?
If you are a UK or international student then you will be entitled to our concession rate ticket, please remember to bring any valid ID with you that shows you are a student, on the day of your visit, to guarantee entry.
I have a disability. What tickets do I buy?
Adult and child guests who are registered disabled are entitled to our disabled adult or child ticket rates. An essential carer enters free with each ticket. To collect the essential carer ticket, please make sure you bring along your supporting documents that shows you require a carer as well as a copy of your ticket if you have purchased in advance. These may include the following:
- Disability Allowance Letter
- PIP letter
- Freedom pass
- Any other appropriate supporting documentation as issued by your local authority
Do you do discounts for NHS and military staff?
Unfortunately we do not currently offer any military or NHS discount.
Are there accessible facilities available at your Zoos?
We work hard to ensure both ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo are accessible for all visitors. Please see more information about accessibility at ZSL London Zoo here, and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo here.
My ticket has an entry time of 10am, does that mean I have to be there for 10am?
No, your ticket to either Zoo is valid from 10am, until an hour before closing time. Closing times differ during winter and summer months, so please double check the closing time before your visit.
Where can I buy food at the Zoo?
We have a variety of food outlets and restaurants available at both London and Whipsnade that offer a selection of food options, and are currently run on a first-come-first-served basis for seating. To help plan your day, check out our food pages for ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
Do you offer gluten-free food?
Yes, we provide a variety of gluten free options at both Zoos. Given enough notice the catering team can make suitable arrangements for any dietary requirements. Please ring Supporter Services via 0344 225 1826 or email us to discuss this further.
Can you bring a picnic into the Zoo?
You are welcome to bring your own picnics and we provide picnic tables around both of our sites for you to use. We do also offer a limited amount of covered indoor space for you to use should the weather require you to find some shelter. At ZSL London Zoo, there is some shelter in the foyer area in the B.U.G.S exhibit and the Aquarium.
At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, there is shelter and seating in the Butterfly House. We do however ask that you don’t bring glass or alcohol with you and please dispose of any rubbish.
Where can I park my car?
ZSL London Zoo
Parking is available in the Zoo’s Gloucester Slips car park. This is at a cost of £14.50 payable on the day. Due to ongoing third party works, the Zoo’s main car park capacity is currently significantly reduced. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you in advance for your patience. We would recommend travelling to the Zoo using public transport and you can find more information regarding nearest stations and bus routes on our Directions page.
If you’re unable to park in the Zoo’s car park, there is a small amount of on-street parking available on the outer circle main road.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
We do allow car entry inside the Zoo for all visitors at Whipsnade - this is at an additional cost of £25 However, if you wish to leave your car in our free car park, we do offer a free bus for you to hop on that will be available from the May half term.
Where can the coach park?
ZSL London Zoo
Due to works being undertaken by Thames Water and HS2, the car park will be reduced in size from 1 January 2018. We will be creating new coach drop-off spaces but once groups have disembarked, all coach parking will need to be found off site. If your group has specific access needs, we will do our best to accommodate coach parking in the ZSL London Zoo car park. Please contact our Supporter Services team as far in advance as possible to discuss your requirements: email us or ring us on 0344 225 1826.
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Coaches can park for free in the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo car park, subject to available space. Minibuses can enter the Zoo for an additional charge of £25.00. Coaches are not able to enter ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, however a free Safari Bus provides transport once visitors are inside the Park.
Do your car parks have height restrictions?
No, neither the car park at ZSL London Zoo or ZSL Whipsnade Zoo have height restrictions.
When do the car parks open/close?
The car park at ZSL London Zoo is open from 9am while, the car park at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is open from 8am, with each car park closing roughly an hour after the Zoo closes.
How busy is the Zoo?
We cannot always predict how busy we will be each day, however we do tend to get more visitors during weekends and school holidays. To help ease this, we offer a Fast-track entry ticket online at ZSL London Zoo which enables visitors to skip the queues and enter the Zoo via our convenient Fast-track gate, closer to Camden Town station than the main entrance. However, you can still buy standard entry tickets online or at the gate.
Are all animals on show?
Your great day out is of paramount importance to us. However, so is the welfare of our animals and on occasions, we may have some important care that we need to do for our animals, that requires them to remain off show.
Can I feed any of the animals?
All of our animals are fed diets which are specifically designed for their needs. We therefore do not allow members of the public to feed our animals. However, we do offer special experiences where you can, with the help of a zookeeper, meet and feed some of our amazing animals.
Are any of the enclosures closed in the winter months?
Some of our animals do like to stay indoors when it is a bit colder or wet outside and as such, we have indoor viewing areas for most of our enclosures. So do be sure to take a peek inside if you cannot spot them outdoors!
How do I report lost property?
For all lost property enquiries regarding ZSL London Zoo, please call us on 0344 225 1826 and we can put you through to the lost property department.
To report a lost item at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, please fill out our lost property log, and one of the team will get back to you if it’s been found.
What is ZSL?
ZSL stands for The Zoological Society of London - a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. We are a registered charity in England & Wales no. 208728. Our mission is realised through our groundbreaking science, our active conservation projects in more than 50 countries and our two Zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Find out more about ZSL.
