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London Zoo - Penguin Beach

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

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Access Guide

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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.

Animal Enclosures (Penguin Beach)

  • This enclosure is outdoor.
  • Penguin Beach is located within the Orange Zone.
  • Animal Enclosure View
    • There is not level access throughout this area.
    • There are several ramps, slopes and steps throughout the enclosure.
      All steps can be bypassed by the slopes and ramps.
      The slopes down to the pool and underwater viewing space are steep.
    • Clear directional signage is not provided in this area.
    • During busy periods this area can become congested.
    • The flooring in the enclosure is concrete or tarmac.
    • Some flooring is uneven.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are provided in some areas.
    • This area does not play background music/sound.
    • There are resting/seating areas within this area.
    • Information in this area includes the following formats: pictorial, information board and mobile app.
    • The enclosure does not have a hearing assistance system.
    • A staff member is in the enclosure at certain times.
    • There are shows/talks in the enclosure, with a designated seating available for wheelchair users.
    • There is tiered seating within the enclosure.
    • There is a slight slope immediately in front of the entrance leading down to the penguin pool.
      Access to the Base Camp Shop is via two steep ramps or steps.
      Access to the underwater viewing area is via a steep slope or steps.
      There are further slight slopes around the viewing areas.
    • There is a low level viewing area at 0cm high.
    • Visitors cannot handle/touch animals in this area.
    • The lighting levels in this area are good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between some walls and the walkways in this area.
  • Exit View
    • Visitors exit via the entrance/opening.

Access Point (Penguin Beach - Barclay Court)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located off Barclay Court, next to the Zoo Shop and Exit.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is open access.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Access Point (Penguin Beach - Right Hand Side)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located to the left of Butterfly Paradise.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is open access.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately after the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

Access Point (Penguin Beach - Rear Right)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located on the right of the enclosure, at the rear.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is open access.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately before the access point.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

Shop (Base Camp)

  • The majority of aisle widths are not 150cm+.
  • Aisles are obstructed by product displays.
  • The type of flooring is wood.
  • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • The till(s) is/are located to the left of the entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the till(s).
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the till(s).
  • The till(s) is/are not clearly signed.
  • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the till(s).
  • The till(s) is not/are not placed in front of a plain background.
  • The lighting levels at the till(s) are moderate to good.
  • The chip & pin card machines are accessible from the till(s).
  • The height of the till(s) is/are 100cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the till(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system at the till(s).

Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Base Camp/Upper Viewing Area)

  • There is a ramp/slope located to the right of the Base Camp Shop.
  • The ramp/slope is used to access the Base Camp Shop and upper viewing area.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the ramp.

Ramp(s) / Slope(s) and Step(s) (Tiered Seating)

  • Ramp / Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope located to the right of the tiered seating.
    • The ramp/slope is used to access the rear right hand side access point, the Base Camp Shop, the upper viewing area, tiered seating and main enclosure area.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 128cm (4ft 2in).
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) located to the left of the ramp.
    • The step(s) is/are used to access the access point, the Base Camp Shop, upper viewing area and tiered seating.
    • There is/are 7 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The depth of the steps are 27cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).