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London Zoo - Nightlife

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.

Outside Access (Rainforest Life and Nightlife Building)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Rainforest Life and Nightlife Building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Entrance'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the opening is 233cm.
    • There is not a member of staff available for assistance at this entrance.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located directly in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Inside Access (Rainforest Life and Nightlife Building)

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There is not a/are not door(s) in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
    • The type of flooring throughout is vinyl, stone and concrete.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is low colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • Access to other floors/levels is via stairs and lift.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • A member of staff can take you to a safe space if required.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does play background music/sound.
    • Music/sound is played outside Nightlife on Level -1.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are for public use.
    • The stairs are located straight ahead as you enter the building.
    • The stairs are approximately 9m from the Rainforest Life and Nightlife Building main entrance.
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 0 and -1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are low to moderate.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead on the left as you enter the Rainforest and Nightlife Building.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the Rainforest and Nightlife Building main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 0 and -1.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is low.
  • The clear door width is 109cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 161cm (4ft 7in x 5ft 3in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are moderate to good.

Animal Enclosures (Nightlife)

  • This enclosure is indoor.
  • Nightlife is located in the Pink Zone.
  • Entrance / Opening View
    • There are double, permanently held open doors with an opening width of 75cm+ for access to this enclosure.
    • The entrance/opening is clearly signed.
    • The entrance/opening does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance/opening.
    • There is a slight ramp between 75cm and 150cm wide, with no handrails.
    • The ramp has a level landing and no resting area.
  • Animal Enclosure View
    • There is level access throughout this area.
    • 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 and concrete or tarmac.
    • Some flooring is uneven.
    • There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are provided in some areas.
    • This area does play background music/sound.
    • There are not resting/seating areas within this area.
    • Information in this area includes the following formats: pictorial, information board, television/screen and subtitles.
    • The enclosure does not have a hearing assistance system.
    • A staff member is in the enclosure at certain times.
    • There is a low level viewing area at 95cm high.
    • A one-way system operates in this area.
    • Visitors cannot handle/touch animals in this area.
    • There is a wash basin in this area.
    • The height of the wash basin is 72cm.
    • The wash basin tap type is push.
    • There are very low lighting levels throughout the enclosure.
      The colour of the majority of the lighting is red.
      Although visitors cannot handle or touch animals in this area (except on special experience visits), there are wash basins in the Rainforest Life and Nightlife Building foyer.
      These have soap dispensers at a height of 86cm, and hand dryers at a height of 116cm.
    • The lighting levels in this area are low to moderate.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the walls and the walkways in this area.
  • Exit View
    • Visitors exit via a separate exit/opening.
    • The exit is clearly signed internally.
    • There are double, permanently held open doors with an opening width of 75cm+ when exiting this area/attraction.
    • The exit is ramped/sloped.
    • There is a slight ramp over 150cm wide, with no handrails.
    • The ramp has a level landing and no resting area.