ZSL London Zoo

London Zoo in Regent's Park is one of the world's most famous zoos and home to over 12,000 animals. 'Meet the Animals' shows are held daily, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the animals from their keepers. Rare and beautiful creatures can be seen in the Aquarium, Gorilla Kingdom, the Clore Rainforest Lookout, Penguin Pool, Butterfly Paradise and in the Blackburn Pavilion - home to more than fifty species of birds. The 'Animal Adventure' children's zoo gives kids the chance to experience the sights and smells of the animal kingdom up close. There are tree top and roots zones taking children from the red pandas among the leaves to the underground animals down below. You can even feed and touch the goats and sheep and meet the donkeys, llamas and pigs. City zoos are perhaps a little dated: they've had to take out the elephants, because there wasn't enough space for them, and you'll see happier animals in the safari parks at Windsor and Longleat. Nonetheless, if you don't have the time to travel that far, this zoo is still among the best in the world and a visit is well worthwhile. Every child in London should go at least once.