Meet the penguins london zoo review năm 2024

It was just so run down. Heart breaking to see the Zebra and Giraffe enclosures - since when did these beautiful creatures walk on concrete in the wild? No greenery but a bleak and meaningless existence for these poor animals. Terribly upsetting and they just looked sad. I will never go to a zoo again.

Date of experience: 20 October 2023

My visit a few days ago.

I visited about 20 years ago with my family. It has gone down hill significantly I am sad to say. Barriers everywhere, work materials all over the place. Looks really run down. Looks a mess.Half the enclosures seem to have nothing in them. At the restaurant I had fish and chips which was awful. All batter not much fish and the chips tasted awful too. Left most of it.

I used to love this zoo. You cannot even get to the canal anymore for a barge trip. Totally overpriced. Very disappointing.

Date of experience: 05 October 2023

Shout out to Isobel in the Supporter…

Shout out to Isobel in the Supporter Contact Team. We had planned to go yesterday but had to cancel at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. We were offered the chance to rebook or to have a refund with no hassle. Thanks Isobel

Date of experience: 02 May 2023

Whipsnade ZSL

Whipsnade ZSL is the best zoo with a fantastic view, but the Viewpoint Cafe is let down by a rude manageress (K) who needs training in customer service! It’s worth paying to drive into the site, particularly if it’s raining. We were a family of 5 and stayed all day for a relaxed visit. Good family time!

Date of experience: 25 August 2022

Had a lovely day out at Whipsnade

Had a lovely day out at Whipsnade. My only criticism is that the signage is very vague. Only says things like Asia or Europe when it should tell you which direction to the animal types

Date of experience: 09 August 2023

Why not to visit London Zoo and Penguin Experience

I just wish I had read these reviews before visiting London Zoo. I decided to buy 2 tickets for the penguin experience but you also have to purchase 2 zoo entrance tickets. Wonderful price of £170.00, what an absolute waste of money. We are elderly and didn’t want to go around the zoo, just wanted to meet the penguins. We entered the penguin beach area but there are no dings for penguin experience until you find a poster attached to a gate. The shop / cafe at the entrance was closed, so no cold drinks, there’s also no seating or shade whilst you wait. A couple of staff met us and we went for the H&S chat in the back of an old tool shed / builders yard, again no seating. We did then meet the penguins for 15 mins and then ushered out. It would be nice to have a lanyard, T shirt, brochure or even proper photos, nothing. £170.00 down the pan, what a waste of money and time. But it was an experience never to forget !

Date of experience: 04 September 2023

london zoo, friday evening

london zoo, went on a friday evening, ive never been to a zoo with so many people wandering around with beer or wine, the place was packed, i would say far too many, some extremely drunk and screaching, banging on the glass. enclosures are far too small and some animals showing signs of stress. probably due to small enclosures and drunk people shouting at them.

Date of experience: 23 June 2023

Don't waste your money

Really looked forward to this trip, but so disappointed. Paid extra to take the car in, but still a lot of walking. Elephants brilliant, especially the little one. That is why it gets a two star review. However, Brown Bear has been put into "hibernation" so not on show, sloth bear euthanased recently, several toilet blocks closed etc. Often only one of each type of animal, so a breeding program must be a challenge. I know these things happen but communicate so visitors know. One member of staff spoke and was lovely, but the others were ignoring visitors. Oh, and take care on the roads as staff use the place like a race track, whilst visitors trundle round at 5 to 10 mph! Go to Woburn, where they have bears and staff who want you there.

Date of experience: 07 October 2022

Attractions closed shops closed missing animals

Firstly, I would heartily not recommend visiting London zoo for the following reasons.

If you pay a small fortune for four people to visit and places to eat closed, attractions closed, missing animals, hardly any staff to be seen. I would think long and hard before wasting Your hard earned money on a pointless visit.

It’s very clear, London zoo is only interested in making money charging ridiculous prices for the basics when we left. I actually felt like I’ve been fleeced every penny that to get out of me . Enclosure after enclosure, no animals to be seen I feel we could’ve had a better experience by looking on Google for pictures and video of animals.

Needless to say, I won’t be visiting again and neither will my party.

Date of experience: 07 July 2023

Needs to close.

My 4 year old grandson was so excited to go to London zoo as a birthday treat in November. Now all he can recall is the gift shop and my main recall is the expensive and hopelessly staffed canteen. Found no elephants, one lion asleep, no tigers etc.The reptile house was devoid of reptiles, saw one small croc underwater and a few miniature blue frogs, not one snake. Not the zoo I loved as a child. Very short of animals, too much walking, too expensive- please don’t waste your money and disappoint your children.

Date of experience: 04 November 2022

My family & I were a bit disappointed…

My family & I were a bit disappointed with our visit to the zoo. It looked unkept/ poorly maintained. No water in animal ponds, alot of the animals they said were present was not. You could count the number of animals you see. Tbh it’s a scam. The website said the animals have adequate space to live, they don’t. The animals looked sad to me. They ask for donation but I don’t see where it goes. I think its best to close down & refurbish. There are better attractions in London, so save your money & go elsewhere.

Date of experience: 29 July 2022

london zoo

My Son and I have been going for the last couple of years, we have a season ticket that makes it very cheep, like £6 per trip. we've made friends with some of the keepers and follow the animals. fantastic fun if you have small children

Date of experience: 24 May 2012

Disappointed with our visit to the Zoo

Went to Whipsnade Zoo yesterday very disappointed. We went as a group of 6 adults and 3 children, cannot believe how many people they let in and I agree that there are too many cars allowed in. A lot of the animals were missing are they on furlough lol ???

Date of experience: 30 August 2021

Don't waste your money, there are other zoo's

Not sure where to start, the pricing is a bit over the top to be fair but most would pay for thier child's excitement but It's totally impossible to social distance during these times as I feel they are letting too many people in which means unless you're happy being on top of 20-30 people all the time you should kot go. there seems to be no one way system or adherence to it either, would love to know how many people actually pick up covid here...the souvenir shop is a rip off too, but actually saw more animals (teddy bears) than we did in the actual zoo so that's a plus. Won't be back

Date of experience: 15 July 2021

Flexible-ticket scam

Booked an 'all-year round flexible ticket' to be able to visit any day for the next 12 months (as advertised). We have a small child and not having to pre-plan is quite handy. On the day we wanted to visit we were told that even flexi-tickets need to be booked in advance, because of covid restrictions. Restrictions are understandable, but why keep selling more expensive, but useless flexi-tickets?? That's understandable too-to make money. ZSL refused to refund. Terrible customer experience without even visiting. Well done

Date of experience: 31 January 2022

Million times NO NO NO

Been there today and very disappointed. Our favorite playground is closed for everyone apart from GOLD MEMBERS. absolutely ridiculous, seems like gold members can't have covid and are fine with playing next to each other. Many places are still closed and zoo is not ready to be open yet,so don't waste your time and money.

Date of experience: 23 April 2021

Never again

Went today for my birthday and took our 3yo with us. Many of the animals were not available but the MOST disappointing thing was most of the enclosures were so tiny for the animals. We stopped for a bite to eat (only 2 stands/cafes open) and served by someone who didn't know how to make TEA!?!? Ended in the gift shop and I was served by a terribly rude woman who was getting snarky and rude with me for not carrying my wallet/cards with me (I've been using the card on my phone for YEARS now, with never a comment or issue....until now). She was so rude and wouldn't let up on the fact I was using my phone to pay. Even after paying, as I walked away, she made a comment about bringing my physical card in future. I wouldn't ever return again.

Date of experience: 10 February 2023

We went to London zoo on June 14th…

We went to London zoo on June 14th 2023. The weather was sunny and the tickets we had were brought via the universal credit scheme. When we arrived we were disappointed to dis over that a zoo as big as it is, they only have 2 mobility scooters for hire. Both were hired out so we had to hire a wheelchair. My husband required the wheelchair but, as I have a physical disability myself which affects my right side of my upper body, pushing a wheelchair was very painful and difficult for me. The path around the zoo is not overly wheelchair friendly. We saw 3 lifts round the zoo and 1 was out of use. Despite there being a lift to the lion area, it takes you up 1 set of steps, there is then a steep winding walkway to get to the lions. When we finally got to the top, the lions were no where to be seen. The toilets at the zoo were clean and accessible and the penguin beach is easily accessible from a wheelchair. Inside the reptile house the crocodile section is not accessible for wheelchair users due to only have steps. We went for a bite to eat in their restaurant and the food was cold, not warm actually cold. When I mentioned to the lady at the till she told me there was a microwave so I could heat my food up! I did ask to speak to a manager and explained that for the price of the food I expected it to be fresh and hot - not cold from being left on a hot plate all day. I was given a full refund for the meals. The food that we had there, even after being heated in their microwave was poor. However, overall, the weather was lovely, the zoo has a lot to see and the tickets we brought were good value. We would go again but definitely with a mobility scooter and with a packed lunch.

Date of experience: 14 June 2023

I spent over £140 on a day out at ZSL…

I spent over £140 on a day out at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and yet again not all animals were present, it’s a hit and miss experience. There were no monkeys, lions or bears on this visit!

As this has happened on multiple occasions, I finally complained via email and received the following excuses from an employee called Ben in their Support Contact team;

- The animals enjoy indoor and outdoor sleeps - They cannot guarantee where or when their animals are likely to be during the day - We should have returned at a later time

I would suggest having some signage if the animals are not at a visitors view point to reduce disappointment.

Their website should also advise what animals are not present before purchasing tickets and planning a day out!

Date of experience: 06 June 2022

Signed up for a 1 year membership. Noticed they were about to take £200 for another year and Tried to cancel my zsl membership by calling their helpline. Very unhelpful person on the phone saying she couldn’t help cancel it and I must have had an email warning them and they could have helped if I called 2 weeks ago. She told me no manager working who could help either and to try calling my bank and cancel myself. Annoying as it’s meant to be a company doing good for animals but has annoyed me, so I wouldn’t want to contribute with them again. Hopefully my bank have stopped the payment in time otherwise I have to go through a dispute payment.

Does the London Zoo have a meet the penguins experience?

In fact, the Meet the Penguins experience at the London Zoo was part of my Ultimate London Bucket List for a really long time.

Who won ZSL London Zoo meet the animals?

So naturally, Sam and I couldn’t believe our luck when the amazing ZSL London Zoo team retweeted our Friday night escape to Zoo Nights and crowned us as the (ehem, ultimate) winners of that week’s Meet the Animals competition! A colony of Humboldt penguins call London Zoo’s Penguin Beach their home.

Did Toronto Zoo reopen a penguin exhibit?

It was a black tie affair at the Toronto Zoo recently as it reopened the penguin exhibit following renovations. Video released by the zoo captures the penguins exploring their new digs.

When will London Zoo's penguin beach tickets be released?

Tickets will be released here on 1 February. Join us as an honorary zookeeper for a flipping good time! For a whole 90 minutes, see what goes on behind-the-scenes at London Zoo's Penguin Beach and experience exactly what it's like to look after our curious colony of penguins.

How much is the penguin experience at London Zoo?

Prices. Tickets are £115 each. Zoo admission is sold separately. Disability carers may come along to support a participant, free of charge.

What time do the penguins get fed at London Zoo?

Every day at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm you can find professionals and zookeepers feeding the penguins and giving you a guide through the lives of these incredible birds. For any fan of these black and white birds of the arctic, you can get up close and personal to see these birds as they would live in the wild.

Is London Zoo worth the money?

From the outset, this is a really good central London attraction (which is some 25 minutes walking from Oxford Circus) - but, the site does require some TLC. A good number of animals spread across the site - with some enclosures appearing to be massive, where others were incredibly small.

Where is the biggest penguin enclosure in the UK?

There are p-p-plenty of penguins at London Zoo's 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.