4 Exciting London Attractions for Animal Lovers

For animal lovers the world is full of breath taking destinations. Whether you want to spend your time admiring the neck of a giraffe, or running around frantically shouting “mush, mush!” there will be the perfect place for you somewhere. To help you choose, take a look at the top 3 London attractions for animal lovers.

If you’re thinking of visiting the beautiful and historic capital of England, then you may wonder what the best places to take children are. Thankfully, there are some fantastic animal-based days out ideas which you can incorporate into your cultured break. Here are some of the best animal lover’s destinations in or near London to keep the whole family happy.

London Zoo

For a wild twist on your London family trip, why not consider visiting ZSL London Zoo for a few hours on a sunny afternoon? It’s located inside The Regent’s Park, just near Baker Street, so after looking at one of the most iconic London streets (thanks to the Sherlock Holmes novels) you can keep the children entertained at the zoo. For an extra-special experience you could even consider the VIP experience which offers you the chance to get even closer to the animals. At the moment, there are both giraffe and penguin VIP encounters available every day of the week.

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Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

This small family-run zoo is the perfect place to take younger children. It offers the opportunity for children to see a variety of different animals as well a play area and café where you can kick back and relax whilst the little ones let off a little steam. Battersea is short Tube or train-ride from Central London so is easily accessible and considerably cheaper than London Zoo.

Some exotic species can be found here including the much-loved Meerkats, which children can walk down a tunnel to appear on the same level as the cheeky, furry and irresistible creatures! You can also combine the exotic creatures with a visit to more common farm animals such as rabbits, sheep and even chickens.

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SEA LIFE London Aquarium

If you’re more of a water wildlife lover then SEA LIFE London Aquarium is the place to be. The huge indoor aquarium is home to some of the most beautiful underwater beasts. With scheduled feeding times, children can watch some of the sea’s most fascinating creatures eating their daily meals.

Conveniently located on the Thames right near Westminster, just over the water from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the Sealife Centre is a great place to break up the afternoon of British drizzle or keep restless children occupied. It’s located right near Waterloo Station and the London Eye and is a huge British attraction. Sealife Centres are located across Britain and are one of the most popular and truly British animal centers which offer a glimpse into what life is like underwater.

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London Wetland Centre

The London Wetland Centre is an amazing place to see nature and wild animals, and especially birds. As a bird watcher myself, it was at the top of my list of London attractions to visit. The wetlands consist of 29.9 hectares (about 73 acres to those of us more familiar with Imperial measurements) and is located in southwest London in the Barnes area.

The land throughout the London Wetland Centre is kept as natural as possible, with various habitats that attract different species of birds. There’s also a play area for children, a well-stocked gift shop, and gorgeous scenery. It’s a great place for bird photography!

Official Website

London Attractions for Animal Lovers

There are some other locations you might be interested too, that I haven’t covered here. They include the Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire, Hackney City Farm and Stepney City Farm, London’s Museum of Natural History, Richmond Park for deer, and even Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium.

As you can see, London offers a large variety of attractions for adults and children of all ages. If you’re an animal lover and visiting London – or lucky enough to live there – you’re sure to find something to do that meets your interests. I hope some of the above options give you ideas and that you’re able to visit and enjoy them. If you do, drop me a comment below and let me know what you saw and enjoyed!