The zoo is home to flamingos, meercats and lemurs
There’s no shortage of fun activities to do in London with kids in the summer, but finding ones that are actually affordable too can prove tricky. London has a notorious reputation for being expensive, particularly for parents – however, there are still some great, low-cost days out on offer if you just know where to look.
One underrated West London park could be the perfect cheap and cheerful family day out. Known locally as the ‘Bunny Park’ due to frequent sightings of the small furry creatures, Brent Lodge Park in Hanwell, Ealing, is where you’ll find Hanwell Zoo.
Hanwell Zoo provides a home for various birds, mammals and other mischievous residents including porcupines, a mob of meerkats and a flock of flamingos. Kids will also love meeting the playful lemurs who call the zoo home, as well as armadillos and adorable marmoset monkeys.
The zoo invites visitors to ‘go wild in west London’ and that’s precisely what reviewers report having experienced. The zoo receives excellent ratings on TripAdvisor, with visitors describing it as ‘perfect for a family day out’ and ‘cheap fun for all’.
One reviewer warned: ‘try not to let your children become as naughty as the meerkats’.
The zoo features a reptile house, a butterfly house and an aquarium. Entry to the zoo costs just £5.50 for adults, £4 for children over three, while children under three and carers can visit for free.
Just a stone’s throw from the zoo, you’ll find the Brent Lodge Playground as well as the Millennium Maze, a short hedge maze that parents say is ‘perfect’ for toddlers, according to Google reviews. Both attractions are free to visit, making them the perfect additions to a family trip to the zoo.
Getting there
The zoo’s address is Hanwell Zoo, Church Rd, London, Hanwell, W7 3BP. It sits just a 12-minute walk from Hanwell station, which you can reach on the Elizabeth Line.
Opening hours are: April 1 – September 10, 10am – 5pm. September 11 – March 31, 10am – 4pm.
Tickets can be purchased online through their website or at the gift shop on site. The booking system is accessible here.
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