There are p-p-plenty of penguins at ZSL London Zoo in our stunning Penguin Beach exhibit – England’s biggest penguin pool!
Penguin Beach recreates a South American beach landscape in the heart of London, with stunning colony of Humboldt penguins.
The new exhibit features a large pool with stunning underwater viewing areas so you can see how our flippered friends fly under water. The exhibit’s 1200 sq metre pool holds 450,000 litres of water!
Our large demonstration area turns feeding time in to an even bigger spectacle than before. Penguin Beach Live will feature twice daily feeds where visitors can watch the birds diving for their food.
Penguin Beach is a breeding facility for colonies of Humboldt penguins with a special penguin nursery, including a chick incubation unit and a pool where the youngsters can learn how to swim.
Penguin Facts
Humboldt penguins love cleaning (preening) themselves and their friends. When preening they gather oil from a gland in their tail and then apply this to their feathers – like penguin hair gel!
Humboldt penguins never chew with their mouth open because they don’t chew at all! Instead our penguins swallow their fish head first.
A Humboldt penguin can reach up to 30 miles per hour in the water!
Our resident Rockhopper penguin, Ricky, moved to our sister site ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in March 2017 to find love. Take a trip to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo to visit him and meet his new pool buddies.
Find out more about the inhabitants of Penguin Beach
Catch a glipse of our amazing Penguin Beach exhibit.
Videos
Tune in to this live underwater stream of ZSL London Zoo's Penguin Beach to watch our Humbolt penguins whizzing through the water.
Feeding time is at 11.30, 13.30 and 16.30 BST
Times & Prices
- Arrive at meeting point by 13:45 for a 13:50 start
- Meeting point located at the VIP area at Penguin Beach
- Children must be at least 8 years old and be accompanied by an adult, adults must have a valid Meet the Penguins ticket
Please be aware we are unable to offer this experience during August and September as this is our penguin's moulting season.
- £54 per person Mon - Sun zoo entry not included
- £125 for 2 people including zoo entry please call our friendly Supporter Services Team to book on 0344 225 1826
Terms and conditions
- General admission ticket or valid membership per person must be purchased to be allowed entry into the zoo and take part in the Meet the Penguins experience.
- Please listen to the keeper at all times. (Your safety as well as the welfare of all animals is their upmost priority. As such, the keeper can stop the encounter or ask participants to exit the VIP area at any time should they feel necessary.)
- Appropriate closed toe footwear must be worn for the experience.
- Maximum of 6 participants per experience. Children: must be aged between 8 years and 16 years old and be accompanied by an adult. No more than 2 children per adult. Each adult must also has a valid Meet the Penguins ticket.
- Disabilities: Participants with learning or visual impairment must be accompanied by a carer who takes full responsibility for the adherence of health and safety and welfare protocols. Accompanying carers can enter the VIP area free of charge but must not participate in the experience. Wheelchair access is available for this experience.
- Pregnant/ nursing mothers who have given birth within the previous six months cannot participate for health and safety reasons.
- Cancellations: ZSL reserves the right to alter the experience or cancel on any given day if necessary. We will endeavour to contact you via email at least 24-hours before your visit to notify you of any changes. We recommend checking your emails on the day before your visit in case we have emailed you. If these changes result in you missing the encounter or you are no longer able to attend, please contact us to discuss options. Turning up late will invalidate your ticket and will not be refunded. Bookings cancelled up to 14 days before the date will be eligible for a full refund. Thereafter changes will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of ZSL.
A new herd of animals is arriving this summer, as the Zoo becomes home to the most colossal creatures ever to walk the earth - dinosaurs!
For just six weeks between 22 July and 3 September, visitors will be taken back in time to a prehistoric world where they will come face-to-face with life-size, moving dinosaurs - from the giant but gentle Brachiosaurus to the towering Tyrannosaurus Rex in our brand new exhibit Zoorassic Park!
Book your tickets now
Happy World Giraffe Day!
This Friday is set to be another scorcher! Make the most of the balmy evenings with an adventure around the Zoo.
Enjoy the ultimate mix of wildlife and city life every Friday until 14 July. Book tickets now: https://goo.gl/N8mNvW
Fancy a run with a difference?
Join as at the Zoo on 17 September as we host the second ZSL Stampede of 2017. The wildest 10k and 5k in London, all funds raised will help us to continue our vital conservation work in more than 50 countries around the world.
Daddy day care with our western lowland gorilla troop
Happy Father's Day!
Make the most of the hot weather this weekend with a visit to the Zoo!
Perfect weather for a cooling dip!
Unleash your wild side and do something daring for wildlife this August with Streak for Tigers!
Fearless fundraisers are invited to prowl as nature intended, after hours, in the heart of the Zoo at our unique event.
Fascinating animals, tantalising food and feel-good fun, discover the Zoo after dark with Zoo Nights!
Tickets selling fast for remaining dates - book yours now: https://goo.gl/aVmaAA
Baby colobus monkey playing in the sun... just because