City farms, zoos, wildlife reserves, aquariums... London is a great place to see animals.
Whether you're an animal lover yourself, or you've got kids who need amusing, take a look at our map for inspiration for your next critter-centric trip in London.
Want to get closer to animals? Many of these places take on volunteers — check websites for details. Many also run regular or one-off events. And keep in mind that the majority of them operate as charities or non-profits, so do consider donating what you can.
Zoos and wildlife parks in London
London Zoo
The most famous spot for animals is of course London Zoo. Located in Regent's Park, it's approaching its bicentenary later this decade, and is the place to see all manner of species: lions, tigers, gorillas, giraffes, zebras and penguins to name a few. Elephants and bears are among the species which have been moved to sister site Whipsnade Zoo in Hertfordshire, where they have more space. London Zoo has some serious architecture of note too.
It's not cheap to get in, but does take part in the National Rail 2-for-1 tickets offer, and also offers reduced price tickets for anyone receiving Universal Credit.
London Zoo is operated by conservation charity ZSL, which carries out research both here in the UK and abroad. BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) is also headquartered at London Zoo. (When visiting a zoo or aquarium, it's worth checking the BIAZA members list, to see whether it achieves high enough standards of modern zoo practice to be accredited. London Zoo is of course BIAZA accredited.)
Battersea Park Children's Zoo
Unless you've ever had children to entertain, you're probably unaware of London's 'second zoo', Battersea Park Children's Zoo, which marks its 75th anniversary in 2026 (it opened in its current format in 2005, but has a long history before that). It toes the line between farm and zoo, housing porcupines, chameleons and various types of monkey — as well as sheep, pigs, chickens, ponies and donkeys in a petting area. Kids can let off steam in the adventure playground, and animal experiences are available to book, to get up close to species including armadillos and coatis. BIAZA accredited.
Hanwell Zoo (AKA the Bunny Park)
West Londoners of a certain age might have fond memories of a little place called the Bunny Park. These days, it's Hanwell Zoo, a pocket sized zoo in Brent Lodge Park, home to small and medium animals including flamingos, lemurs and monkeys. If you hear an elephant trumpeting while you wander around, don't be alarmed: it's the noise made by an interactive toy in the playground. Realistically, you could spend a maximum of a couple of hours here, but there's a fantastic playground right outside, and the free Brent Millennium Maze a few steps away. BIAZA accredited.
Golders Hill Park Zoo
We'd love to know how many people wander aimlessly from Hampstead Heath up to Golders Hill Park, and suddenly find themselves in the middle of a zoo. Golders Hill Park Zoo is one of those quirky places operated by the City of London Corporation even though it's nowhere near the Square Mile. It's a free-to-visit collection of enclosures housing species including lemurs, Scottish wildcats, donkeys and fallow deer, though there are plans to "refocus" the collection to make it more about British wildlife in the coming years. BIAZA accredited.
Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow
Is it a zoo? A theme park? A farm? A park? Hobbledown Heath in Hounslow (with a second site in Epsom) is a bit of each, with a play barn rubbing up alongside adventure playgrounds, giant bounce pillows and seasonal events (tulip fields in Spring, pumpkin patch in Autumn).
But we're here to talk animals. Meerkats, lemurs, prairie dogs, macaws, capybaras and giant rabbits are among the creatures living their best lives in this corner of west London. Experiences include chances to meet the lemurs or feed the capybaras... which sounds like a pretty decent day out to us.
Farms and petting zoos to visit in London
Farmyards? In a capital city? London's surprisingly replete with farms, wedged in among the skyscrapers and railway tracks:
Belmont Farm: An ideal family day out, combining soft play, a bakery and cafe with a working farm of cattle, goats, alpacas, poultry, pigs, ponies, horses and donkeys.
Crystal Palace Park Farm: An outpost of Capel Manor, Crystal Palace Park Farm sits at the southern tip of the park, next to the famous dinosaurs. No dinos at the farm itself, though it is home to ponies, alpacas, goats, sheep and the like.
Deen City Farm: A combined riding school and farm, Deen City Farm in Merton is home to a motley array of cows, donkeys, ducks, chickens, ferrets and even an owl, among several other species. Animal feed is available to buy and feed some of the creatures, along with pony rides, a playground and picnic area, and a farmhouse cafe.
Forty Hall Farm: Part of Capel Manor agricultural college, Enfield's Forty Hall Farm opens to the public at weekends for a nominal entry fee, giving you access to rare breeds of sheep, pigs and cattle. The farm shop opens six days a week, selling produce from the site, and it holds an annual lambing weekend.
Freightliners City Farm: Cows, sheep goats and poultry, including rare breeds, just a short hop from the Holloway Road, along with gardens where vegetables are grown.
Hackney City Farm: The southern end of Haggerston Park, close to the busy Hackney Road, hosts Hackney City Farm with its pigs, sheep, ducks, chickens, goats and donkey. The farm also aims to introduce city-dwellers to farm life, offering workshops linked to food, farming and the natural world. The on-site Frizzante cafe serves seasonal Italian cuisine, and Get Loose is an organic, plastic-free produce shop: take your own container, and stock up on cupboard essentials.
Hounslow Urban Farm: Boa constrictors, bearded dragons, chipmunks, cockroaches and tarantulas are among the more unexpected species living in the shadow of Heathrow Airport, along with the usual blend of horses, donkeys, sheep and the like. Families can make a day of it with indoor and outdoor play areas, and indoor bouncy castles too.
Kentish Town City Farm: Down a residential street not far from Gospel Oak station, a cowprint gate and colourful mosaic sign welcomes you to Kentish Town City Farm, where Shirley the cow, Dora and Nora the donkeys, plus goats, sheep, rabbits and chickens are waiting to meet you. On Saturday mornings, you can get up close to the guinea pigs too.
Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park: Wallabies, goats, rabbits, chickens and the like, all on a site just beyond the M25, along with an adventure playground, rides, animal feeding sessions and regular events.
Lewis of London: Also known as the 'ice cream farm' because of its parlour where products are made using milk from the farm's own herd, Lewis of London near Barnet also has a cafe and playground, and various animal-centric events throughout the year, particularly during school holidays.
Maryon Wilson Animal Park: Pigs, ducks, goats, reindeer, horses, chickens, sheep and rabbits are among the species to be found on a wander through Maryon Wilson Park between Charlton and Woolwich. The animal park is just part of the local green space.
Mudchute Park and Farm: You wouldn't expect to find 32 acres of countryside on the Isle of Dogs, surrounded by London's docks and the Thames, but here it is. Mudchute Park and Farm is home to over 100 animals including British Rare Breed animals such as Tamworth pigs and Indian Runner ducks. Donkeys, goats and llamas also call the farm home, with meet-and-greet type experiences available with rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep and goats. Enjoy lunch overlooking it all at the Mudchute Kitchen cafe.
Spitalfields City Farm: Wedged between the City skyscapers and the Windrush line, home to donkeys, sheep, goats, hens and ferrets, with a small farm shop selling produce grown on site, and a tea hut selling drinks, lunches and snacks. Hosts occasional events, though sadly the legendary Spitalfields Goat Race is no more.
Stepney City Farm: A working farm with sheep, goats, donkeys, pigs and chickens to meet, plus a farm cafe, and farmers' market every Saturday.
Surrey Docks Farm: Goats, sheep, pigs, ponies and rabbits are among the furry chums living on this site, and the farm also has several beehives within its orchard. The farm shop sells produce (veg, meat, eggs, plants), as well as bags of animal food if you want to feed the residents yourself.
Vauxhall City Farm: 3/4 of an acre on the eastern edge of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, home to farmyard species including alpacas, goats, ferrets and Kune Kune pigs Bonnie and Clyde. Keep a look out for local celebrity, farmyard cat Jess too. Food and drink available from The Old Dairy Cafe on site (no picnics allowed). Suggested donation £3 per person on entry.
Nature reserves in London
Keen to see native wildlife in a more natural habitat?
London Wetland Centre, Barnes
A key site for birdwatchers in London, with six hides dotted around London Wetland Centre, helping you to spot species such as little ringed plovers, whitethroats, sand martins, common terns, wintering ducks and many, many more at different times through the year. It's not just birds: the reserve is home to water voles, dragonflies, frogs, butterflies — even otters and lizards. There's a cafe and shop on site, and many of the paths are wheelchair accessible. BIAZA accredited.
Rainham Marshes
The RSPB manages several nature reserves all over the country, including Rainham Marshes on the London-Essex border, a home for wetland birds including waders, wildfowl, warblers and owls. Some areas are managed to provide ideal conditions for wildlife, while other areas are left completely wild, to the advantage of wintering Short-eared Owls and Reed Bunting. Water voles and dragonflies are among the non-avian species to be spotted here.
If you've visited before, note that the cafe and shop have now closed down permanently (toilets remain open).
Burnham Beeches
Though not technically within London, Burnham Beeches near Slough is managed by the City of London Corporation (for reasons explained here) so we've included it. The historic woodland has white cattle and Exmoor ponies roaming freely in certain areas, as we discovered when we went exploring, along with pigs at certain times in the autumn to eat all the acorns that fall.
London Wildlife Trust
Nature charity London Wildlife Trust looks after several nature reserves across the capital, from Camley Street Nature Reserve right alongside St Pancras station to quieter and lesser-known green spots in outer London. If you're willing to spend some quiet time sitting and watching, then butterflies, stag beetles, woodpeckers, and even rare molluscs are among the creatures you might spot at some of these protected sites.
Aquariums to visit in London
More interested in what goes on underwater? Get your fishy fix at these venues:
London Aquarium
A staple of school trips and birthday outings, the London Aquarium opened in County Hall on South Bank in 1997, and is home to all manner of sub-aquatic creatures including five different species of shark. We went snorkelling with them once, though that experience is on hold at time of writing (do check back on the website though, if it's something you're keen to do). Other residents include thousands of fish, seahorses, turtles, and perhaps most famously, a colony of gentoo penguins whose presence at the attraction has caused some controversy over the years due to the conditions in which they live.
It's a pretty cool experience from the off: as soon as you enter, stroll over a glass floor offering a view into the water below. The ocean tunnel is another favourite spot, a walk-through glass tube submerged at the bottom of a tank, allowing rays, turtles, zebra sharks and fish to swim around above you. BIAZA accredited.
Horniman Museum Aquarium
For a less busy (and more wallet-friendly) fishy encounter, head for the aquarium at the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill. It's split into 15 sections representing different ecosystems from around the globe, and though you won't find any sharks, it does have fish, poison dart and tropical tree frogs, jellyfish and live coral. Anyone on Universal Credit can book tickets at a discounted rate.
London did almost have another aquarium, out in the docks, but that's another story.
Visit Battersea Cats and Dogs Home
And finally... did you know you can visit Battersea, even if you have no plans to adopt one of their animals? Tours run occasionally, as a way to raise funds for the charity. On the hour-long visit, see behind the scenes at the animal care centre, including the kennels, cattery, hydrotherapy pool and outdoor exercise paddocks. You may be able to see some of the cats and dogs in residence, though you won't be able to touch them.
