London Zoo

Situated on the north side of Regent's Park, London Zoo, which opened in 1828, has achieved many 'firsts'. The zoo was the site of the world's first reptile house in 1849, followed by the first public aquarium in 1853, the first insect house in 1881 and the first children's zoo, which opened in 1938. Today, the Zoo is home to around 12,000 animals, including Asian lions, Sumatran tigers, sloth bears, Leadbeater's possums and death adders. The famous spiral-shaped Penguin Pool, which is Grade I listed, is the home of black-footed penguins, whilst the Aquarium houses sharks, piranhas and other sea creatures.

The Zoo has also given rise to a number of much-loved stars, such as the late 'Guy', a western lowland gorilla, who has now been immortalised both by statue and by the head taxidermist of the Natural History Museum, where he remains to this day! Guy famously used to gently scoop up small birds who would enter his enclosure and closely examine them before letting them go.

The Zoo also has beautiful gardens, as well as innovative zoo buildings and is currently undergoing several renovation projects to provide the best possible environment for the animals.

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