A First-Timer’s Guide To London Zoo
London has many unique attractions, a lot of which are well known for their history, green spaces and stunning views over London. The fantastic thing about the city and spa breaks in London is that there is something to everyone’s taste, whether young or old, artsy or scientifically minded or indeed, on a business or tourist trip to the city. One thing that most people can agree with though, is that a zoo is a universally fun day out.
Whether you’re a guest of the Montcalm Hotel with Crescent Restaurant & Lounge amenities for work or for sightseeing, the London Zoo run by the Zoological Society of London is one of the top attractions in London and draws in more than a million visitors a year. It’s easy to see why, this incredible zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in the world and holds a distinctly diverse range of animals. Here’s everything you should know about London Zoo and why it’s worth a visit during your trip to London.
History Of London Zoo
London Zoo was founded in 1828 as a centre for the scientific study of animals before the Tower of London menagerie’s specimens were moved there in the early 1830s’, leading to the mid 40s’ opening of the zoo as a public attraction. With over 670 species of animal residing in this Regent’s Park-adjacent enclosure, the London Zoo is now one of the largest animal parks in the world in terms of number of specimens. Historic landmark acquisitions at the park include it being the site of the first ever reptile house, public aquarium and child friendly animal enclosures. The London Zoo is easily reachable for guests at the Montcalm London Marble Arch via the Central Line to Oxford Circus and a short walk up Great Portland Street.
Areas Of London Zoo
The London Zoo is home to a wide array of enclosures and zones across its 36 acres, enough space to house more than 19,000 animals. Whilst many of the larger animals have been transferred to the more expansive ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, there’s still plenty to enjoy at the more urban London zoo.
Big Cat Areas
The London Zoo is home to two distinct big cat areas. The first is the Land Of The Lions, where visitors can view Asiatic Lions in their 2500 square metre enclosure that’s been designed to look like the Gir Forest National Park. The second Big Cat enclosure is Tiger Territory, where as it stands, one male tiger is kept. There are also surrounding areas to these two big cat exhibits that show other animals from their habitats including the lion’s dwarf mongoose and langurs. The tigers include lemur and muntjac exhibits
Reptile Houses
Originally opened in 1927, the reptile house includes diamondback rattlesnakes, Fiji banded iguanas and Philippine crocodiles. An amphibian area includes salamanders, poison dart frogs and axolotls.
Monkeys
The Meet The Monkeys exhibit allows visitors to get up close and personal with a group of black-capped squirrel monkeys thanks to its lack of roof and boundaries between visitors and monkeys. There is also a ring tailed lemur and white tailed antsingy enclosure for more primate fun.
Insect Houses
Located at the sites Millennium Conservation Centre, the 140 species displayed in the B.U.G.S (Biodiversity Underpinning Global Survival) exhibit includes desert locusts, leafcutter ants, jewel wasps, mantella frogs and many other weird and wonderful insects and invertebrates.