There are p-p-p-plenty of penguins on stunning Penguin Beach – England's biggest penguin pool
London Zoo's Penguin Beach recreates a South American beach landscape in the heart of the city, with stunning colony of Humboldt penguins
This summer we've delivered a splash of Penguin Beach to workers, residents and visitors in Central London with a fabulous display of these magnficient birds 'flying' underwater in the Outernet 360° experience on Tottenham Court Road*. But nothing compares to the full in-person penguin experience, seeing our flippered friends for real, enjoying up close underwater viewing windows – and of course the perfect penguin selfie – with all the sounds and smells of the beach.
Find out more about how we created the Outernet Penguin beach experience below
Penguin Beach – complete with 1200 sq metre pool holding 450,000 litres of water – is home to a breeding colony of Humboldt penguins, native to Peru and Chile. The large pool has three stunning underwater viewing areas so you can see how our flippered friends fly under water, and raised viewing for panoramic views of the beach. Keep an eye out for this year's chicks venturing out to enjoy a dip, and see the very special penguin nursery, including a chick incubation unit and separate pool where the youngsters can learn how to swim.
Don't miss the daily talks from ZSL experts and twice-daily feeding sessions where you can watch the birds diving swiftly and gracefully for their food.
*London Zoo's Penguin Beach experience at the Outernet runs 26 July to 1 August 2024, at selected times throughout the day.
Behind the Scenes: creating the Outernet experience
We want as many people as possible to feel the wonder of being close to nature, and what better way to do it than with wall-to-wall penguins in the heart of London!
Creating a super high definition 360° underwater experience is no easy task, but with a team of ZSL experts and a specialist crew of underwater wildlife and 360° videographers – plus a one-of-a-kind, fully penguin-proofed camera rig designed and built just for this project – we made it!
- How do you get a completely bespoke camera into the middle of England’s biggest penguin pool?
- Will the penguins actually swim near to the camera?
- What sound do penguins make underwater?
Explore more of the behind-the-scenes story:
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Summer holidays at London Zoo
Join us for Poo at the Zoo!
A family-friendly journey of discovery into the fascinating world of wildlife waste!
Humbolt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) are from the beaches of Peru and Chile, and can swim at speeds of up to 30mph!
Be inspired by over 10,000 amazing animals, and know that every visit helps protect nature for the future generations.