Explore “At Home” – The London Zoo
Line BreakAuthor: Kathryn Frengs (350 Articles)
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Although most of us love the idea of traveling to far away lands, sometimes there is much to be discovered so close to home. I had one of these great discovery moments this weekend when I headed to the London Zoo’s summer party, “Zoo Lates.” Every Friday night in August, the zoo closes its doors early and opens to a huge summer BBQ and cocktail party and guests are free to roam the grounds with a cup of Pimm’s or glass of wine in hand. What a perfect treat for someone like me who not only loves animals but also loves to do things a bit “off the beaten path” in my new hometown! Unfortunately, I forgot my camera last Friday so have borrowed these photos from the kind Flickr users credited below.
Photo credit: neiljs
The oldest “scientific” zoo in the world, the London Zoo was opened in 1828 and is home to hundreds of species. Located in the Camden corner of Regent’s Park, the zoo felt a bit smaller and more intimate than some of the other big city zoos that I’ve visited on my travels. The area was large enough to feel open but small enough to not be overwhelming on a visit of a few hours. I’d read a review of the Zoo Lates event on The World of Sam that suggested arriving early, so we turned up right at 5:00pm which was the best idea. The crowds had yet to arrive and the revelry was just getting started, but even better was the fact that the animals were all awake, interactive and easy to see. As the evening went on, some animals went into their buildings to sleep or were not as interested in the gathering crowds so being there early was a must.
Photo credit: Loz Flowers
As I’ve found in any zoo, the monkeys and gorillas were my favourite animals to visit in the London Zoo. There was also a fantastic monkey “walkthrough” where tiny spider monkeys ran and played on ropes right overhead. I was also captivated by the giraffes, entertained by the penguins and really enjoyed catching a glimpse of some gorgeous lions.
Photo credit: MOpuss
Though the zoo got quite crowded later in the evening and many of the visitors seemed to be having TOO much fun enjoying their Pimms cups, overall the Zoo Lates experience was fantastic and one I hope to repeat next year! What a great creative way to bring people together in summertime, and I love feeling like I’ve gone away on holiday when I’ve really just gone across town.
Tags: august, Fun, London, travel, zoo
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