London Zoo or Whipsnade Zoo – which is a better wildlife attraction?

Choose between London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo with our in-depth comparison. Explore London’s iconic urban wildlife exhibits or Whipsnade’s vast countryside enclosures. Find highlights, ticket details, and more!

London is home to five major zoos, the ZSL London Zoo, Whipsnade Zoo, Marwell Zoo, Howletts Wild Animal Park, and Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, each a marvel for animal lovers. 

Among them, ZSL London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo are often compared, thanks to their proximity to the city—Whipsnade is just an hour’s drive from the city. 

While London Zoo, located in Regent’s Park, draws 1.1 million visitors annually, Whipsnade’s sprawling open-range enclosures attract 700,000 guests each year. 

Both zoos have their own charm, but understanding their differences will help you decide which suits your interests and travel plans best.

Top Tickets

# Whipsnade Zoo tickets
# London Zoo

It’s highly recommended to book your London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.

Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo: A detailed comparison

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Although both the zoos are owned by the same organization (Zoological Society of London (ZSL), they offer unique experiences. 

Whipsnade Zoo is outside of London and is quite different from the inner-city London Zoo

Note: If you are a local, we suggest you visit both the zoos and maybe add a few weeks between the visits.

Safari-like experience

Situated in the Chiltern Hills, Whipsnade Zoo spans a vast area spanning 600 acres, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

At Whipsnade, you get a safari experience mainly due to its expansive size, which allows for open-range enclosures resembling natural habitats. 

Visitors at Whipsnade can explore the zoo in a variety of ways, including driving their own cars through designated areas with free-roaming animals, taking the bright-green colored safari bus, or enjoying a railway tour that crosses a savannah-like landscape. 

London Zoo, in contrast, is spread over a smaller area. Located within Regent’s Park, it’s designed for walking and doesn’t have the space to accommodate a bus service or personal cars within the zoo premises. 

Whipsnade’s range of transportation options adds to its appeal, making it a top choice for adventure seekers.

Bus safari at Whipsnade
The first Safari bus of the day starts from the Whipsnade Zoo’s main gate at 10.15 am and continues every half hour till the day’s closure. The Safari Bus trip from the boarding point to the last enclosure (Hullabazoo) takes 24 minutes and allows you to explore the attraction for free. 

Train safari at Whipsnade
Whipsnade Zoo has two old but impressive steam engines, Excelsior and Superior, which take visitors through the animal enclosures. You’ll hear exciting commentary and spot animals such as elephants, rhinos, camels, deer, etc. For £30 per person, visitors 18 years or older can ride the train on the footplate while steaming past exotic animals such as Asian elephants, camels, one-horned rhinos, etc.

Size of the wildlife enclosures

Whipsnade is more like a wildlife park, offering a spacious environment for animals, while London Zoo embodies a traditional zoo concept within its urban setting.

Whipsnade Zoo is almost 17 times bigger than the London Zoo – making it the biggest zoo in the UK. Naturally, Whipsnade has ample space for large enclosures.

London Zoo, in contrast, accommodates a diverse range of animals in a more compact layout. Enclosures are designed to fit within the zoo’s urban setting, and visitors can see a variety of animals within a shorter timeframe.

Location

The closest tube station to London Zoo is Camden Town on the Northern Line. You can also reach London Zoo by bus routes 274 and C2 or by overground train to Camden Road Station.

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, 56 km (35 miles) north of London. Luton and Hemel Hempstead are the two train stations closest to the zoo. However, you’ll need to board either a bus or taxi to get the zoo from the stations. It takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Whipsnade Zoo is also easily accessible by car, situated near the M1 motorway.

London Zoo benefits from its central location within London, making it easily accessible by public transport. Whipsnade Zoo’s location outside of the city provides a more spacious and scenic setting, but requires more planning to reach, especially for those relying on public transportation.

Tripadvisor rating

Both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo are rated 4/5 on Tripadvisor. 

But, London Zoo has twice the number of reviews compared to the zoo in Dunstable because it gets double the number of visitors annually. 

In 2020, Whipsnade Zoo won Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence.

Number of animals

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Penguin beach at ZSL London Zoo. Image: Letsgowiththechildren.co.uk

When it comes to the number of animals, London Zoo wins hands down. 

London Zoo hosts a total of 19,000+ animals belonging to more than 650 species.

Meanwhile, Whipsnade only houses 3,600+ animals from 200+ species.

However, the animals at Whipsnade Zoo are kept in big enclosures and paddocks, while the London Zoo animals are confined in smaller pens.

Cost of tickets

Weekend tickets at London Zoo are slightly costlier than Whipsnade Zoo tickets. However, weekday tickets for the attractions are available at the same price.

On weekdays, the tickets for adults between 16 and 64 years cost £27 for both the zoos. On weekends, the same tickets cost £31 for London Zoo and £28 for Whipsnade.

Kids up to 2 years old can get free entry to both the attractions.

Food options

Both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo offer plenty of unique choices when it comes to food. 

Whipsnade offers a wider range including street food, freshly made pizzas, and fish and chips. Its Base Camp Restaurant features seasonal dishes with table service, while the Viewpoint Kitchen provides scenic views alongside its meals. Visitors can also indulge in afternoon tea or grab quick bites from multiple cafes and kiosks. 

London Zoo, though more limited, offers solid choices such as The Terrace Restaurant and the Peckish Parrot Café, which serve sandwiches, pastries, lunch boxes, and more.

However, we recommend taking some snacks and drinks along with you as both these attractions provide picnic tables where you can relax and have your food. They also have covered indoor space, which is helpful if the weather goes bad.

Time needed to explore

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Image: Zsl.org

If you visit with kids and family, you will need two to three hours to explore the London Zoo.

However, if you want to explore Whipsnade Zoo to your satisfaction, you will need at least five to six hours.

Better zoo in bad weather

On a bad weather day, especially if it is raining, the London Zoo is a better option because it has plenty of indoor exhibits and sheltered spaces.

Indoor exhibits such as the Aquarium, Rainforest Life, Blackburn Pavilion (the walk-through bird exhibit), Butterfly Paradise, BUGS (the biodiversity and conservation exhibit), Reptile House, etc., come to the rescue even during winter.

At the London Zoo, even unsheltered animal enclosures have covered spaces for the visitors to stand and watch.

As far as Whipsnade Zoo is concerned, only their fantastic new Butterfly House is indoors.

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Researched & written by
Jamshed is a versatile traveler, equally drawn to the vibrant energy of city escapes and the peaceful solitude of remote getaways. On some trips, he indulges in resort hopping, while on others, he spends little time in his accommodation, fully immersing himself in the destination. A passionate foodie, Jamshed delights in exploring local cuisines, with a particular love for flavorful non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

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