Family day out: Free zoos in London

London Coo is deservedly one of the most famous in the world. But it’s not the only one to be found in the capital. As well as smaller zoos, like the Battersea Park Children’s Zoo,  BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) has a list of free zoos in London.

It turns out that one is not far from me in west London [EDIT: it now has a small entry charge], so I’ve added that to my list of future days out with Minnie – see what we thought, here.

But as we were in north London at the weekend, we made a stop on the way at the other free zoo in London, in Golders Hill Park.

On the edge of Hampstead Heath, it’s home to laughing kookaburras, ring-tailed lemurs and ring-tailed coatis, as well as two stunning Eurasian eagle owls, which spent the slightly damp January afternoon fluffed up on a perch, swivelling their heads lazily now and then to stare back at us.

For more free things to do in London with kids, check out my top picks

The lemurs (sensible creatures) were hiding inside, but the two coatis were snuffling, digging and squeaking away in their enclosure, much to Minnie’s delight.

Admittedly she was equally thrilled at being able to walk around in her new wellies (very important to an 18-month-old) but it was a lot more interesting for us as we wandered next to her.

The zoo itself isn’t huge, and if you’re expecting lions and tigers, you’ll be disappointed – the largest animals are some fallow deer and a donkey.

But it’s great for smaller kids, who’ll be as enthralled by the ducks and exotic waterfowl as the laughing kookaburras, as fluffed up as the owls and about as chuckly.

There is also a butterfly house, open during the summer months, and a playground next door once you’ve exhausted the animals.

Free zoos in London: Need to know

The zoo is open whenever the park is open – from 7.30am until as late as 10pm in midsummer, closing at around 4.30pm in midwinter. The minor gates close 45 minutes beforehand, so you’ll need to exit through the main gate if you’re there at the end of the day.

There is also parking on the roads nearby, although you may need to pay depending when you visit – count on £2-4 for a couple of hours at weekends.

While you’re in north London, you could also visit Europe’s largest adventure golf course at Lost Jungle London

 

Images copyright MummyTravels

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