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London Zoo - Parking and Entrances

London Zoo, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • For general information on accessibility and assistance at London Zoo please click here (new tab).
  • Please click here for information on opening times.
  • The following are available: zoo maps, downloadable zoo maps and mobile app.
  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include mobile hoists, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the Reptile Kiosk in the Blue Zone to the right as you enter the zoo.
  • There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk.
  • There is a safe space on site, ask a member of staff and you will be directed to or they will contact first aid.
  • For visitors who are blind or partially sighted, talks are given around the zoo throughout the day. Staff are available to provide assistance and to give more information throughout the site.
    There are also regular audio described tours on selected dates throughout the year at 10.45am. The tour will include tactile models of animals, immersive exhibits, and audio-descriptions of the animals' activities.
    For more information on Audio Described Tours, please click here.
  • For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing, subtitles are shown on all videos shown in exhibits.
    There are regular Deaf-led tours throughout the year, you will need to contact in advance for the dates.
    For more information on Deaf-led BSL tours, click here.
  • For visitors with autistic spectrum or other neurodiversity conditions, there are online resources to support with a visit, including Sensory Story and Visual Story.
    There is a Penguin Pass to help those with additional needs to bypass queues. This may be downloaded from the website or mobile app. Show the pass to zoo team staff. It is also helpful to wear a sunflower lanyard.
    There are also regular relaxed opening tours. They allow neurodivergent people and other people who would benefit in a calm and safe environment to enjoy the Zoo and take place either before or after normal opening or closing times, depending on the time of year. They are led by the Engagement and Community Engagement teams along a set route, agreed in advance with the animal and operation teams to ensure the best possible experience.
    For more information on Relaxed Opening Tours, click here.
  • Assistance Dogs - Dogs are not permitted on site at the Zoo with the exception of assistance dogs under specific conditions: If you do not have evidence of your dog's training e.g. ADUK ID booklet, please email [email protected] ahead of your visit to talk through the best options for you and your dog.
    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 wellbeing of our animals on-site. Dogs are not permitted at animal demonstrations and talks, in any walkthroughs, or near big cat enclosures.
    Zoo animals and dogs can react to each other, so if you notice any behavioural changes of concern, please move to another exhibit.
    Your dog must remain calm and quiet, at least 2 metres away from any 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 6 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.
    Water bowls are available for assistance dogs from the Terrace Restaurant upon request.

Parking (Visitor Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The venue does have its own parking facilities.
    • The car park is located to the east of the Zoo, off Outer Circle.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
    • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
    • There is an additional car park for staff.
    • There is an additional staff car park opposite the Zoo main entrance.
      There is also ample Pay and Display parking on Outer Circle (see signage for details); as well as one Blue Badge bay directly in front of the Zoo main entrance (free for Blue Badge holders).
  • Blue Badge Parking View
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 6 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 253cm x 480cm (8ft 4in x 15ft 9in).
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The marked zones around the Blue Badge parking bay(s) have at least the recommended width of 120cm.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the car park.
    • The car park is free for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the entrance to the car park.
    • Payment term signs do not make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located Payment is made through a payment window at the car park barrier. This is 120cm high. A mobile card reader is available.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
    • The entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is not clearly signposted.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
    • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • There is no tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 450m (492yd 5in) from the zoo main entrance.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is a/are clearly marked drop-off point(s).
    • The drop-off point(s) is/are located directly in front of the zoo main entrance.
    • The route from the drop-off point(s) to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
    • A portable ramp is available at the drop-off point.
      This has a slight gradient and is 79cm wide.
  • Comments View
    • There are 150 parking spaces with six Blue Badge bays.
    • The car park opens at 10am and closes one hour before the Zoo's closing time.
    • In winter this is 4pm, 5pm in the spring and autumn and 6pm during the summer.

Getting To (Main Entrance from Car Park)

  • Access View
    • The information below describes the access along the route between the car park and the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access along the route.
    • There is a steep slope, with no handrails, approximately 102m along the route.
    • This level change is shown in photograph 2.
    • There is a steep ramp, with no handrails, approximately 75m from the previous level change.
    • This ramp is shown in photograph 4.
      It consists of dropped kerbs on the pedestrian crossing over Outer Circle.
    • There is a steep ramp, with no handrails, approximately 28m from the previous level change.
    • This ramp is shown in photograph 6.
  • Circulation View
    • The type of flooring along this section of the route is concrete.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided corridors/walkways along this section of the route.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Audio View
    • There is background music/noise along this section of the route.
    • Background noise includes the general ambience of the city (vehicles, aircraft, etc.), as well as birdsong, the noise of the animals, and people talking.

Access Points (Main Entrance Outer)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access points located off Outer Circle.
    • There is step-free access at these access points.
    • Access point types include; open access points.
    • There are tables for security check of bags. These are 74cm high.

Access Points (Main Entrance Ticket Barrier)

  • Access Point View
    • The main entrance ticket barriers are beyond the main entrance and to the right as you enter.
    • This information is for the access points located inside the main entrance (outer).
    • There is ramped/sloped access at these access points.
    • Access point types include; gap(s) past barrier(s).
    • The squeeze gaps are 92cm wide.
      There are counters at this entrance which are 97cm high.
      There are crowd control barriers with a fair colour contrast at this entrance.
      After the slope, there is a large map and information board with details for the whole site.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a slight slope with no handrails after the squeeze gap.
      This leads downhill into the zoo.

Access Point (Experiences and Fast Track)

  • Access Point View
    • Entrance by prior arrangement only.
    • This information is for the access point located on Outer Circle to the left of the main entrance, next to the pedestrian crossing over Outer Circle, opposite the Zoological Society of London building.
    • There is step-free access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens both ways.
    • The gate is easy to open.
    • The width of the gap is 127cm.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.

Access Point (Prince Albert Gate)

  • Access Point View
    • Entrance by prior arrangement only for access for functions.
    • This information is for the access point located on Outer Circle, leading down to the Albert Suite entrance, Garden Room and outdoor seating area by the Terrace Restaurant.
    • There is stepped access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
    • The width of the gap is 150cm.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is a ramp with a very easy incline.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located straight ahead as you enter through the gate.
    • There is/are 8 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.