We know there’s a huge amount of logistics that go into planning a school trip. Below you should find all the information you need – but if there’s anything else we can help with, please let us know! 

get in touch 

Free familiarisation visits

Once you have booked your trip you are entitled to a free familiarisation visit to the zoo (one teacher per class). We strongly recommend this to help you plan your day. Please email [email protected] quoting your 5-digit Order Number to book this.

Free pre-visit consultation

Once you have booked your trip you are entitled to a free pre-visit consultation with a member of our learning team. These are 20 minute meetings which take place online via Microsoft Teams. These are available to any group who have booked a trip with us, but are particularly recommended for those: 

  • Who haven’t visited before
  • Who are bringing a large group
  • Have students with complex needs

We recommend booking this for a date that is 2-3 weeks before your visit.

BOOK YOUR PRE-VISIT CONSULTATION
 

Free planning consultations

If you haven't yet booked a trip and would like advice on how you could achieve your intended learning outcomes during a trip to London Zoo we would be delighted to talk with you. You can book a free 20-minute planning consultation meeting with us through this link. To help us prepare please include the details of your intended learning outcomes and any other relevant information. These meetings take place online via Microsoft Teams. 

BOOK YOUR FREE PLANNING CONSULTATION

Risk Assessments and other Health and Safety Information

Gate staff explaining visit to a teacher

Education Visit Health and Safety

All the information you need to get your school trip signed off.

    Student exploring the rainforest with a spotters guide resource
    Animal activities to support your learning

    Teaching resources

    We’ve got a flock of educational resources to bring your learning to life, from animal art to understanding the climate crisis.

    Group of Humboldt penguins at London Zoo
    Supporting access for all

    Supporting students with SEND

    Creating learning experiences that are accessible for people of all needs and abilities.

Paying for your trip

All trips must be paid for at least two weeks in advance via BACS or credit/debit card. Details of how to pay can be found on your booking confirmation email. We do not accept cash or cheques, nor can payment be made on the day or after a trip. Visitor numbers cannot be changed once payment is made. We do not offer refunds for any students or paying adults who are unable to attend on the day.

If the group have not paid for their trip by the date of their visit, the debt owed will be passed on to our finance team who will generate a new invoice which will be sent to the school. This will include an additional £25 administration fee. ZSL reserves the right to cancel or refuse entry to any group who have not paid in advance of their trip nor made prior arrangement with ZSL to pay after the visit/activity.

Prices and full terms and conditions of educational rate tickets can be found here:

Education visit prices  Terms and Conditions for Education Visits

Travelling to the zoo

Public Transport

Please see our complete guide on finding your way to the zoo by public transport:

DIRECTIONS TO LONDON ZOO

Coach Travel

No coach parking is available at London Zoo. Coaches are able to drop off & pick up in the car park but will then need to park elsewhere. Please ensure your coach company is aware. Details for coach parking locations near the zoo can be found on the Transport for London website.

Recommended routes around London Zoo

We have three coloured zones at London Zoo:

  • Pink includes: giraffes, zebras, African wild dogs, Rainforest Life, pygmy hippos, lemurs, otters, and meerkats.
  • Blue is the shortest route and includes western lowland gorillas, tigers, the Reptile House and Komodo dragon.
  • Orange includes: lions, penguins, butterflies, squirrel monkeys and Tiny Giants.

All three zones can be started from the main entrance, finish in the Zoo's central courtyard and can be visited in any order. If you are visiting within normal school hours, we recommend splitting into smaller groups (depending on your adult supervision ratios) and picking two routes for each group, stopping for lunch halfway.

To help you plan your route, please use the map below which includes details of:

Recommended Lunch stops

  • There are a number of outdoor areas around the zoo where groups can sit to eat lunches that they have brought with them, which are marked on the map below.  
  • We no longer have a bookable lunch space but areas to eat are marked on the map.

Potential Quieter areas

  • We recognise that some groups or children may need an area to chill out away from others, so we have highlighted areas we find are best for this.

London Zoo Schools Map

Looking for support before or after a visit?

Asiatic lion Bhanu at London Zoo

Supporting Learning Outside the Zoo

Activities and ideas to liven up your learning including online outreach and events

Souvenirs for your school trip

Order discounted souvenirs up to 3 says in advance of your trip to the Zoo. We provide bulk pricing for schools, so your students can take home memories from the Zoo. 

Our online shop