Hanwell Zoo
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Hanwell Zoo

4.3
·2k reviews·, United Kingdom

A charming, affordable family zoo in West London, nestled in Brent Lodge Park, offering animal encounters, a playground, and a maze.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays

Fewer crowds, more relaxed

CrowdLow
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Hanwell Zoo

Hanwell Zoo

Best Time

Weekdays

Fewer crowds, more relaxed

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A charming, affordable family zoo in West London, nestled in Brent Lodge Park, offering animal encounters, a playground, and a maze.

4.3
(2k reviews)

"A lovely little zoo and situated in a beautiful area. Peaceful and so relaxing."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Affordable Entry

Tickets are very reasonably priced, making it a great value family outing. Adults around £5, kids less!

👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the zoo and the park, so wear comfy shoes!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 2,051 reviews

Type

Zoo

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Majestic Peacocks

Majestic Peacocks

Throughout the zoo

Wander among these stunning birds, often seen strutting freely, adding a touch of regal beauty to your visit.

Charming Meerkats

Charming Meerkats

Meerkat enclosure

Watch these social and curious creatures as they pop up and interact, a guaranteed hit with all ages.

Vibrant Flamingos

Vibrant Flamingos

Flamingo enclosure

Admire the striking pink plumage of the flamingos, a colorful and lively addition to the zoo's inhabitants.

Millennium Maze

Millennium Maze

Adjacent to the zoo

Get lost (and found!) in this fun maze, a delightful activity for kids after exploring the animal enclosures.

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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds & Save

Hanwell Zoo is a gem, especially for families! To avoid the busiest times, aim for weekdays outside of school holidays. Booking tickets online in advance is recommended, especially during peak season, to secure your spot and potentially save time queuing. Instagram

Pack Smart for a Perfect Day

While there's a cafe, many visitors suggest bringing a packed lunch and snacks, as food options can be limited. Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring the zoo and the adjacent park. Don't forget your camera to capture the charming animals! Instagram

Best Times

When
Weekdays
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Crowd
Low
When
Mornings
Why
Animals are more active
Crowd
Medium
When
Afternoons
Why
Cafe and playground buzz
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Hanwell Zoo and Bowling! Watch and listen in to find out more!
steptogether_community
28 likes • 785 views

🎯 Affordable Entry

Tickets are very reasonably priced, making it a great value family outing. Adults around £5, kids less! Instagram+2

👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the zoo and the park, so wear comfy shoes! Instagram

A cute trip to Hanwell Zoo this Summer @hanwellzoo
theycallhimjames
146 likes • 3.7K views
Feeling Zooper happy🦧 📍Hanwell zoo Church Rd, London W7 3BP Small family zoo with tortoises, flamingos, peacocks and many other different species plus cafe and park . Ticket rates £ 5 for adults £4 for kids. #zoo #animals #animal #wildlife #nature #animalphotography #naturephotography #animallovers #love #animalsofinstagram #cute #photooftheday #zoolife #travel #conservation #zooanimals #phot...
looneyritz
15 likes • 860 views

🍎 Pack a Picnic

Food options are limited; bringing your own lunch and snacks is a smart move. Instagram

🅿️ Parking Tips

The car park can get busy. Arrive early or consider parking on Church Road. Reddit

Send this to someone visiting London for the first time! They NEED to visit Southall’s Hanwell Zoo. Quite possibly the best Zoo in London for the £4.50 ticket price! 🐅 #vlog #ukhiddengems #muslimtravelers #travel #southall
thesanplanet
19.4K likes • 1M views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Affordable Entry

Tickets are very reasonably priced, making it a great value family outing. Adults around £5, kids less! Instagram+2

👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the zoo and the park, so wear comfy shoes! Instagram

🍎 Pack a Picnic

Food options are limited; bringing your own lunch and snacks is a smart move. Instagram

🅿️ Parking Tips

The car park can get busy. Arrive early or consider parking on Church Road. Reddit

🧸 Playground Fun

There's a great playground inside the zoo and another one nearby in Brent Lodge Park. InstagramReddit

What Travellers Say

4.3
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about Hanwell Zoo's charm, affordability, and family-friendly atmosphere, calling it a 'lovely little zoo' and a 'fantastic price'. The adjacent park and playground are big hits with children. Some minor points of concern include occasional empty water bowls for animals and limited food options at the cafe.

"What a lovely little zoo and situated in a beautiful area. Beautiful scenery all around, in within nature.. peaceful and so relaxing.
A £5 entry fee as my boy not yet 2 years, so a fantastic price.
We both spent about 2 hours walking around the zoo, looking at all the animals and even got to see feeding time for some of them, which was an added bonus.
As the day was so sunny and bright it actually felt like I was on holiday 😀 with that feeling in mind, we had to end the morning with a cheeky ice cream.

By coming in the week I was lucky to get a parking space, the car park isn't very big so worth getting here early to avoid parking else where.

But id definitely come here again and make a whole day of it.
They have a sand pit play area within the zoo and a play area just opposite the zoo too so lots for the little ones to explore."

Megan Stevens

"Quaint little zoo with a variety of small animals and birds. While they don't have any of the large animals at most big zoos they have a unique collection of very interesting smaller, less common animals and birds in their collection. Definitely worth a visit. Has a nice little Cafe and playground for kids too."

Raman

"This is such an amazing zoo! There is free parking on church rd car park. All the staff greet you with a smile and are very helpful. There are lots of different animals to see, a butterfly house and even a playground. Unfortunately the capybara is no longer at the zoo 🕊️"

Vladlena Scetkovska

What People Like

Affordable entry fees
Family-friendly atmosphere
Peaceful and relaxing setting

What People Dislike

Limited food options
Occasional animal water issues

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Hanwell Zoo is located in Brent Lodge Park, accessible by public transport. Several bus routes serve the area, and Hanwell train station is a short walk away. If driving, there's a car park on Church Road, though it can get busy. InstagramReddit

Yes, there is a car park on Church Road. However, it's not very large, so it's advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends or during school holidays, to secure a spot. Reddit

You can take the Underground to Ealing Broadway and then a bus or a short taxi ride to Hanwell Zoo. Alternatively, trains from Paddington to Hanwell station are frequent. Reddit

Absolutely! Hanwell Zoo is well-served by local bus routes, and Hanwell train station is within walking distance, making it easily accessible for visitors using public transport. Instagram

Yes, cycling is a great option. There are usually places to secure bikes near the park entrance. The zoo is also a pleasant destination for a bike ride through West London. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Hanwell Zoo offers very affordable entry fees. Adult tickets are typically around £5, and child tickets are less, making it an economical choice for families. Instagram+2

While not always mandatory, booking tickets online in advance is recommended, especially during peak seasons or weekends, to guarantee entry and potentially avoid queues. Instagram

Opening hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official Hanwell Zoo website or their social media pages for the most up-to-date information on opening times before your visit. Instagram

Information on specific membership options and costs for Hanwell Zoo is not widely advertised. For the most current details, it's recommended to contact the zoo directly or check their official website. TikTok

Given the already low ticket prices, specific discounts are not heavily promoted. However, family packages or special event pricing might be available, so it's worth checking their official channels. Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Hanwell Zoo features a variety of smaller animals and birds, including peacocks, flamingos, tortoises, meerkats, and porcupines. While they don't have large zoo animals, their collection is unique and interesting. TikTokInstagram+1

Yes, Hanwell Zoo is excellent for young children. It's a compact, family-friendly zoo with a playground and often has animals that captivate little ones. Instagram+1

Yes, toilet facilities are available at Hanwell Zoo, ensuring a comfortable visit for families and all guests. Instagram

Generally, feeding the animals at zoos is not permitted to ensure their health and well-being. It's best to observe feeding times if they are scheduled and not offer your own food. Reddit

The Millennium Maze is a fun, twisty maze located adjacent to Hanwell Zoo within Brent Lodge Park. It's a popular attraction for children to explore after visiting the animals. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there is a cafe located near the entrance of Hanwell Zoo that offers a selection of food and drinks. InstagramReddit

The cafe offers a selection of food and drinks. However, many visitors recommend bringing your own packed lunch and snacks as the options might be limited. Instagram

Absolutely! Bringing your own food and drinks is a great idea, especially for families with young children, to ensure you have plenty of options and to save money. Instagram

While specific picnic tables might not be abundant, the surrounding Brent Lodge Park offers ample green space perfect for enjoying a picnic before or after your zoo visit. Reddit

Besides the zoo's cafe, there are local shops and eateries in the Hanwell area. For more extensive dining choices, Ealing Broadway is a short bus or train ride away. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Capture the vibrant peacocks, curious meerkats, and colorful flamingos. The intimate setting allows for great close-up shots of many animals. TikTokInstagram

Yes, photography is generally allowed at Hanwell Zoo for personal use. Be mindful of any specific signage regarding flash photography or restricted areas. Instagram

A camera with good zoom capabilities is helpful for capturing animals from a distance. However, even a smartphone can take excellent photos given the zoo's manageable size. Instagram

While not explicitly stated, it's always good practice to avoid using flash photography, especially near sensitive animals, and to respect the animals' space. Instagram

Early mornings or late afternoons can offer softer lighting, which is ideal for photography. Animals are also often more active during these times. Instagram

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