If you’re visiting London Zoo with your family, the fun doesn’t need to begin and end with the animals.
For those planning a full day’s itinerary in the surrounding area, there are plenty of attractions near London Zoo on offer for you and your kids to enjoy.
Here, we’ve listed 10 of the best attractions near London Zoo so you can make the most of your day out. We think you’ll find something for all ages and interests.
1. Madame Tussauds
Marylebone, NW1
Book from £29.00: Madame Tussauds
Our first attraction near London Zoo is a 30-minute walk through Regents Park which takes you to Madame Tussauds.
Madame Tussauds is a famous wax museum that features life-sized wax figures from across history, including Queen Elizabeth I and II, Spider-Man, Taylor Swift, and William Shakespeare.
You can explore the attraction’s themed zones, learn about London’s historical criminals in the Chamber of Horrors, or immortalise yourself with a wax hand.
Recommended ages for Madame Tussauds
All ages can visit, but we think Madame Tussauds is ideal for children aged 8 years and over.
We love
The Marvel Universe 4D experience is an 8-minute film with wind-chilling, water-soaking, and face-flinching special effects. During the film, iconic Marvel heroes travel to Buckingham Palace to receive awards from the Queen.
Other need-to-knows
We recommend visiting Madame Tussauds early in the morning or after 2 p.m. to avoid crowds.
Book Madame Tussauds tickets
Advance tickets start at £29 per adult and £26 per child.
Visit the Madame Tussauds Loopla page to find out more: Madame Tussauds
2. Sherlock Holmes Museum
Baker Street, NW1
Book from £19: The Sherlock Holmes Museum
A 30-minutes walk from London Zoo and a 5-minute walk from Madame Tussauds is the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
Here you can step back in time to Victorian London and encounter objects, letters, and characters from Mr Holmes’ most famous cases.
This attraction is an excellent place for those who loved the Benedict Cumberbatch Sherlock series on BBC. But, even if you’re not a Sherlock fan, the museum is a good way for children to learn about life in Victorian England.
Recommended ages for Sherlock Holmes Museum
All ages can visit, but the Sherlock Holmes Museum is ideal for children 10 years and over.
We love
The Sherlock Holmes Museum gift shop is full of mysterious memorabilia kids will enjoy playing with – including a Sherlock Holmes card game and Case of the Secret Society puzzle.
Other need-to-knows
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is quite small – it only has room for 15 visitors in the house at one time. For that reason, you can queue for a long time during peak periods.
We recommend aiming for first or last admission (9:30 a.m. or 5.30 p.m.).
Book Sherlock Holmes Museum tickets
Advance standard tickets start at £19 per adult and £14 per child (6-15 years). Kids under 6 go free but require a ticket.
You can visit The Sherlock Holmes Museum to book and for more information.
3. Regent’s Park Rose Garden
Regent’s Park, NW1
Free to visit: Queen Mary’s Gardens
On your way to Madame Tussauds or the Sherlock Homes Museum you may want to walk through Regents Park, in which case you can stop by the rose garden.
The rose garden in Regent’s Park – known as Queen Mary’s Gardens – is a great place to unwind after a morning at London Zoo.
While there, you’ll be surrounded by 12,000 roses of 85 different varieties. We recommend taking a picnic, playing small outdoor games, or reading storybooks while you’re relaxing with your family.
We love
There are some activities to enjoy near the rose garden in the summer months, including live music at the bandstand or performances in the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
We recommend checking out The Royal Parks and Friends of Regent’s Park websites for more details.
Other need-to-knows
To see the best of the rose blooms, visit the rose garden in the first two weeks of June.
Find out more about Regent’s Park Rose Garden
The Regent’s Park Rose Garden is free. For more information, visit Queen Mary’s Gardens.
4. Frameless Immersive Art Experience
Marble Arch, W1H
Book from £27: Frameless Immersive Art Experience
A 20-minute bus ride on the 274 bus from London Zoo takes you slightly further away to the Frameless Immersive Art Experience in Marble Arch.
Frameless is an immersive art exhibition that allows you to wander through some of history’s most famous paintings, such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Monet’s Waterlilies.
Paintings are projected on a time loop, lasting 15-20 minutes each. The projections cover the entire room, so you and your family can get lost in the colours of your favourite artists.
Recommended ages for Frameless Immersive Art Experience
All ages can visit, but Frameless is ideal for children between 4 and 14 years old.
We love
The venue runs 20-minute Multi-Sensory Tots Classes, which use colourful projections to transport you and your little one to an enchanted forest.
These classes sell out quickly, so we recommend booking early.
Other need-to-knows
Child-friendly entry slots run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during weekdays in term time.
The Frameless venue is buggy accessible, and an on-site cafe serves food and drinks.
The Frameless venue is near the famous Oxford Street which has numerous shops as well as the department stores Selfridges, John Lewis and Nike Town.
Book Frameless tickets
Advance standard tickets start at £27 per adult and £17 per child (3-15 years). Kids under 3 go free with a paying adult.
You can visit Frameless to book and for more information.
5. Platform 9 ¾
King’s Cross, N1
Free to visit: Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾
For those familiar with the world of Harry Potter, there’s a small hidden gem to discover at King’s Cross Station. On Platform 9 ¾, you can visit the legendary gateway to the Wizarding World – marked by a luggage trolley embedded in the wall.
You can have a professional photograph taken next to the trolley while wearing a scarf in your house colours. This photo can be viewed and purchased in the Harry Potter shop next door.
Recommended ages for Platform 9 ¾
All ages can visit, but Platform 9 ¾ is ideal for children aged 8 and over or younger Harry Potter fans!
We love
There’s plenty of Harry Potter merchandise on sale in the shop at Platform 9 ¾ – including time turners, horcruxes, and wizarding uniforms.
Other need-to-knows
The trolley is accessible from 5 a.m. to just after 1 a.m. Monday through Friday. We recommend going earlier in the day to avoid crowds.
You can take your own photographs with the trolley at no charge.
Book Platform 9 ¾ tickets
This attraction is free to all visitors. However, if you would like a professional photograph taken, it will cost £9.50 for one photo and £15 for two.
Visit the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ for more information.
6. The British Museum
Tottenham Court Road, WC1B
Free to visit: The British Museum
The number 24 bus or 1 stop on the northern line of the tube will take you from London Zoo to the British Museum near Tottenham Court Road.
The British Museum hosts historical exhibits from all over the world, and entry is free. In its 60 galleries, you can encounter artefacts from the Roman Empire, Ancient Egypt, Medieval Europe, Mesopotamia, and much more.
At the weekend, you can pick up an activity backpack from the Families Desk to guide you through the museum’s galleries.
Recommended ages for The British Museum
All ages can visit, but The British Museum is ideal for children between the ages of 3 years and over.
We love
The British Museum’s ‘Little Feet’ programme is for children under 5. It uses different spaces and objects in the museum to inspire activities.
Little Feet events invite children to take part in artistic, sensory, and entertaining tasks.
Other need-to-knows
We recommend visiting during off-peak periods when tourist numbers are lower (inside of school term times and mid-week) to avoid the big crowds.
Tickets are free, but it’s worth booking beforehand to receive important information and updates before your visit.
Book The British Museum tickets
For more information and to book your free ticket, visit The British Museum.
7. The Cartoon Museum
Goodge Street, W1A
Book from £9.50: The Cartoon Museum
A 15-minute walk from the British Museum is the Cartoon Museum which has a lot of child-friendly activities on offer.
The Cartoon Museum exhibitions showcase British cartoons, caricatures, and comic strips from the last 300 years. It has a collection of over 6,000 original cartoons and comics that are swapped in and out of its displays.
The exhibit features cartoons from WW2, newspaper comics mocking British Prime Ministers, and a life-sized Superman cutout you can pose with. The museum hosts regular exhibitions dedicated to educating people on the history and culture of cartoons.
There’s a gift shop at the end where you can buy cartoons, toys, art materials, and more. During half term, the Cartoon Museum runs workshops for children aged 8-14.
The fun drawing sessions cover various topics and are an excellent way for kids to get creative.
Recommended ages for The Cartoon Museum
All ages can visit, but The Cartoon Museum is ideal for children between the ages of 8 and 14 years old.
Other need-to-knows
The Cartoon Museum is an excellent venue for families looking to avoid crowds, as it is often quiet throughout the day.
The Cartoon Museum is closed on Mondays.
Book The Cartoon Museum tickets
Standard tickets start at £9.50 per adult. Children under 18 go free.
8. Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill, NW3
Free to visit: Primrose Hill
A 15-minute walk north of London Zoo is Primrose Hill.
Primrose Hill adjoins Regent’s Park and boasts one of the best views in London. From the top you can see Canary Wharf, Westminster, and the West End.
This park is a great spot for picnics and outdoor games, and has some mild uphill walking. It takes about 5-20 minutes to get to the top.
We love
Primrose Hill playground is nearby, which can help young children blow of some steam between sightseeing visits or have a play after a picnic lunch. The newly built Primrose Hill Café is now open, serving a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks.
Other need-to-knows
Primrose Hill is open on weekends from 6am to 10pm.
Primrose Hill summit is often busy throughout the day, but it gets busiest at the weekend and on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Find out more about Primrose Hill
Entrance to the park is free. You can visit Primrose Hill for more information.
9. Pirate Castle
Camden Lock, NW1
What’s on: Pirate Castle
If you have chosen to go north of London Zoo via Primrose Hill then there are some attractions in and around Camden which make for great family days out.
The Pirate Castle is one better suited to older children and is a 17 minute walk from London Zoo.
The Pirate Castle is an activity centre located on the bank of Regent’s Canal in Camden. It offers a range of water-sport activities, including canoe, kayak, and bell-boat rentals.
Each paddlesport session is run by friendly, experienced instructors and starts with a safety brief, buoyancy aid fitting, and bankside instruction.
Recommended ages for Pirate Castle
It is recommended that children be at least 8 years old to visit, and Pirate Castle is ideal for children between the ages of 8 and 16 years old.
We love
At Pirate Club Youth Paddlesport sessions, children over 8 can learn how to kayak or canoe in sessions led by British Canoeing-accredited instructors. These are an excellent way for older children to have safe, adventurous fun, let off steam, and learn new skills while on the canal.
Other need-to-knows
Some packages offer a variety of activities that rotate from day to day. If you want a specific activity, it’s a good idea to call before booking to ask about the activity planned for that particular day.
Book Pirate Castle tickets
Family Paddle Sessions start at £150 for a 1.5-hour session, covering up to 8 people.
You can visit the Pirate Castle website to book and for more information.
Visit The Cartoon Museum to book and for more information.
10. Babylon Park
Camden, NW1
See more: Babylon Park
Near the Pirate Castle and a 22-minute walk from London Zoo is Babylon Park in Camden Town.
Babylon Park is a large indoor amusement park with an outer space-theme which offers hours of fun to a wide range of children’s ages. It has arcade-style entertainment, rollercoasters, bumper cars, a drop tower, as well as a soft play.
The arcade activities include a ring toss, air hockey table, and coin-operated game machines.
Recommended ages for Babylon Park
All ages can visit, but Babylon Park is ideal for children between the ages of 4 and 10 years old.
We love
Babylon Park has a soft play area with two sections for toddlers and kids, and a playpark with monkey bars, rings, and a climbable Gymboree.
Other need-to-knows
Babylon Park gets busier at the weekend, but wait times are generally short. However, to ensure you avoid any crowds, we recommend going at first entry (10 a.m.) or later in the afternoon.
Book Babylon Park tickets
There’s no need to book for Babylon Park – entrance is free and you pay as you go for the rides.
The theme park is cashless— that means rides, games, snacks, and attractions are accessed with Babylon Currency on a Babylon Card that the venue provides.
You can either buy Babylon Currency in advance through the attraction’s app or on the day at any of the machines located throughout the venue.
Visit Babylon Park to book and for more information.
What’s the best attraction near London Zoo?
The best attraction near London Zoo depends on what type of attraction you want to visit, how old your children are and how closeby you want the attractions to be.
If you prefer to go north of London Zoo, you can enjoy a walk or picnic on Primrose Hill followed by an activity afternoon at the Pirate Castle or Babylon Park.
If you head south of London Zoo, then a short walk through Regent’s Park will take you to Madame Tussauds and the Sherlock Holme Museum. You can stop off in the rose garden of Regent’s Park on the way.
Alternatively a short bus ride from London Zoo would take you further south to the British Museum and Cartoon Museum for some culture, with child-friendly activities at both.
A slightly longer bus ride (20-minutes) takes you to the Frameless Immersive Art Experience in Marble Arch for a creative afternoon, which you can combine with some Oxford Street shopping afterwards.
Whichever you choose, we hope this roundup can help you plan your day out in London and find attractions near London Zoo to enjoy!