Access Guide
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.
Access Point (Entrance)
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Access Point
View
- This information is for the access point located at the entrance to Tiger Territory, in the Blue Zone.
- There is step-free access at this access point.
- There is open access.
- There is not an information board/map at this access point.
Animal Enclosures (Tiger Territory)
- This enclosure is indoor and outdoor.
- Tiger Territory is located in the Blue Zone.
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Animal Enclosure
View
- There is not level access throughout this area.
- The walkway is initially level, then slopes down to the main tiger viewing area.
From there, you can exit into the Orange Zone, or use the ramp or steps to the Upper Viewing Area and access to Gibbons. - Clear directional signage is not provided in this area.
- During busy periods this area can become congested.
- The flooring in the enclosure is hard flooring.
- Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in this area.
- 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, television/screen, interactive exhibits at a recommended height for wheelchair users and subtitles.
- 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.
- Visitors cannot handle/touch animals in this area.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and the walkways in this area.
- The lighting levels in this area are moderate to good.
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Exit
View
- Visitors can exit via a separate exit/opening.
- The exit is not clearly signed internally.
- There are no doors, however there is an open width of 75cm+ when exiting this area/attraction.
- The exit is step-free.
- This describes the exit to the Orange Zone, near the Camels.
There is also an exit via Gibbons and Tiger Pond via the Upper Viewing Area.
Step(s) (Babirusa Viewing Walkway)
- There is a/are step(s) located along the Tiger Territory walkway.
- The step(s) is/are used to access a walkway with additional viewing points for the Babirusa.
- There is/are 3 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 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- The depth of the steps are 27cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
- There are 3 steps at the other end of the walkway.
The Babirusa can also be seen from a step-free viewpoint before the steps.
Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Walkway)
- There is a ramp/slope located along the walkway.
- The ramp/slope is used to access the main tiger viewing area and exits.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
Ramp(s) / Slope(s) and Step(s) (Upper Viewing Area)
- There is a ramp/slope located at the back of the Tiger Territory enclosure.
- The ramp/slope is used to access the Upper Viewing Area and route to the Gibbons.
- 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 a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the ramp.
- The ramp does not have resting areas.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- There is a/are step(s) located at the back of the tiger enclosure.
- The step(s) is/are used to access the Upper Viewing Area and route to the Gibbons.
- There is/are 20 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 the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
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Step(s)
View
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
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Comments
View
- There is a lift by the steps, but it is currently out of service.
Ramp(s) / Slope(s) and Step(s) (Gibbons and Tiger Pond)
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Ramp / Slope
View
- There is a ramp/slope located at the rear of the Upper Viewing Area.
- The ramp/slope is used to access the Gibbons and Tiger Pond.
- 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.
- The ramp has resting areas.
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are moderate to good.
Animal Enclosures (Gibbons and Tiger Pond)
- This enclosure is indoor.
- Gibbons and Tiger Pond is located in the Blue Zone, at the rear of Tiger Territory.
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Animal Enclosure
View
- There is level access throughout this area.
- Clear directional signage is not provided in this area.
- There are walkways with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
- During busy periods this area can become congested.
- The flooring in the enclosure is hard flooring.
- This area does not play background music/sound.
- There are resting/seating areas within this area.
- Information in this area includes the following formats: information board, television/screen and interactive exhibits at a recommended height for wheelchair users.
- 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 no designated seating available for wheelchair users.
- Visitors cannot handle/touch animals in this area.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and the walkways in this area.
- The lighting levels in this area are moderate to good.
Access Point (Exit)
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Access Point
View
- This information is for the access point located at Gibbons and Tiger Pond.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this access point.
- There is open access.
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Ramp/Slope
View
- The ramp/slope is located through the exit.
- 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.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
View
- The step(s) is/are located to the right along the walkway.
- There is/are 7 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 16cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
- 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.
