London Zoo

London Zoo, the world's oldest scientific zoo, opened in 1828 as a collection for scientific study and opened to the public in 1847. It is managed by the Zoological Society of London and situated at the northern edge of Regent's Park, with the Regent's Canal running through it. The zoo now houses over 8,000 animals from more than 300 species, making it one of the largest zoological collections in the United Kingdom. Visitors can explore historic firsts including the first reptile house (1849), the first public aquarium (1853), the first insect house (1881), and the first children's zoo (1938). The zoo also offers the chance to see diverse species across expansive grounds, with no state funding required—admission fees and memberships support its operation.