At London Zoo, we welcome everyone to enjoy time connecting with wildlife.
Our aim is to ensure everybody has a great day out that is accessible for people of all needs and abilities. Our commitment to accessibility has us working with local people and specialist organisations to learn how we can improve, and make positive changes to ensure every visitor has a wonderful day out.
Due to our access guide partner no longer providing the platform where our access guide was hosted, we currently do not have a full access guide. We are in the process of creating a new guide with AccessAble.
You can download our Access Summary in the Downloadable Resources below or watch our video on accessibility at London Zoo.
The Zoo is nearly 200 years old and contains many old buildings, 12 of which are listed. However, most of the Zoo is accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
In some areas, the paths may be uneven. There is level or ramped access to most buildings. Please note that the slopes leading to the two tunnels in the Zoo are steep.
Please take a look at our access guide for more details.
We are offering regular activities, including British Sign Language, Audio Described and Relaxed Opening tours, at ZSL London Zoo. We’re hoping to grow and improve this programme to be more diverse and more inclusive, if you have any suggestions for a new kind of activity that supports disabled access at the zoo, please get in touch via [email protected].
Our changing place toilet facility is located at Animal Adventure. The 12 metre squared facility is equipped with a ceiling track hoist, a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a height adjustable washbasin and a peninsular toilet.
It is secured with a RADAR key. If you aren’t able to bring one, one is available from our First Aiders - information on how to contact them can be found at the changing place. Please note anyone using the facility should provide their own sling for the hoist.
As well as our changing place toilet, we also have a number of accessible toilets around the Zoo. These are located:
- Opposite Tiny Giants
- Next to the Reptile House
- Near main entrance next to African Aviary
- The Terrace Restaurant
At London Zoo, dogs and other animals are not permitted, except for certain assistance animals.
Assistance dogs are allowed under the following conditions:
- Dogs are not permitted at our animal demonstrations and talks, in any of our walkthroughs or near our big cat enclosures.
- Our animals and dogs can react to each other - so we ask that you move to another exhibit if you notice any behavioural changes of concern.
- Your dog must remain calm and quiet, at least 2 metres away from animal enclosure boundaries.
- Your dog must be fit and healthy when visiting the Zoo, and not shown any signs of ill health – including diarrhoea and vomiting – in the last 24 hours. They must have been resident in the UK for the last six months and have received all annual vaccinations and anthelmintic treatments.
- Poop bags are available at the main gate on arrival - you must clean up after your dog and never leave dogs unattended or off the lead.
If you are bringing an assistance dog to the Zoo, you will be asked to meet with the Animal Duty Manager on arrival for an on-site briefing to confirm acceptance of our full terms and conditions and any special considerations on the given date of your visit. Your assistance dog may be asked to undergo a brief health check to protect the well-being of our animals on-site.
The risk to London Zoo’s animals and the assistance animals depends on the species, current health and security requirements, and history of the assistance animal; therefore, we do not encourage assistance animals other than dogs, to enter our site. Visitors who need assistance animals to enjoy their day at London Zoo should contact our Supporter Contact team before their visit by emailing us on [email protected], clicking on this link and completing the form, or ringing us on 0344 225 1826 to arrange a discussion with our Zoo Animal Manager.
Access for some conference and banqueting rooms is limited or currently unavailable. The following areas are fully equipped – Mappin Pavilion, The Prince Albert Suite, Huxley Lecture Theatre, Bartlett Room and Regent’s Canal Room. The Raffles Suite has partial access facilities. Please contact us to find out more about the room you are using on 020 7449 6371 or email our venue team.
Wheelchair Hire
We have a limited number of wheelchairs available for hire on a first-come, first-served basis. We therefore advise to book one in advance of your visit by clicking on this link and completing the form. A deposit of £25 will be required, which will be refunded when the wheelchair is returned undamaged.
Mobility Scooter Hire
We have 2 mobility scooters available to hire for a hire fee of £20, plus a £30 refundable deposit will be required, which will be refunded when the scooter is returned undamaged. This must be pre-booked in advance by clicking on this link and completing the form.
If you are looking to reserve a wheelchair or mobility scooter for today, please enquire at the Zoo upon arrival at our Reptile Kiosk - please ask a member of staff to advise you if you're unsure where to find this.
Beside Tiger Territory we have a multifaith room available throughout the day as a safe space for prayer - please see number 2 on our quiet spaces map.
There is a disabled parking bay in front of the entrance to the zoo, disabled visitors can also park on the Outer Circle for up to four hours with a Blue Badge. We do also have disabled parking spaces in the main car park.
We have a number of resources available for download to help everyone feel ready and prepared for their visit to the Zoo. We have visual and sensory stories to help autistic and neurodivergent people feel prepared for their visit as well as activities for you and your family to use while visiting us.
These are available to download in the drop down below.
The Penguin Pass queue hopper gives visitors who find queuing difficult the opportunity to hop queues at the zoo.
There is no need to book your pass for London Zoo, simply download & print the pass or download onto your phone. Penguin passes are available to download in the dropdown below.
We also have passes available to collect on arrival from our admissions team. Show your penguin pass to our teams at admissions, retail or catering outlets and our walk-through exhibits. Our staff & volunteers will do their best to reduce your queueing time.
If you collect a penguin pass from our admissions team, please return your pass to the penguin pass box as you exit the zoo.
We want as many people as possible to be able to enjoy a brilliant day out with us, to benefit from the amazing animals at London Zoo, connect with nature and help us create a world where wildlife thrives.
To help people who might find cost or other challenges a barrier to visiting London Zoo, our Community Access Scheme provides discounted tickets to those meeting eligibility criteria.
