Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo

The children's zoo at Ambika Paul sits within Regent's Park, and it's genuinely one of the better ways to spend a couple of hours with small kids in central London. You're looking at a compact, manageable space - no vast trudging between enclosures like the bigger zoos - which means toddlers won't be shattered by lunchtime.

What you actually get is a decent collection of smaller animals: meerkats, red pandas, that sort of thing. The enclosures are thoughtfully laid out, and there's enough going on to keep children engaged without feeling overstimulating. Staff are usually around for keeper talks, which children seem to genuinely enjoy rather than tune out.

It works brilliantly for families with children under ten. Older kids might find it a bit slight unless they're serious animal enthusiasts. Allow two to three hours maximum - that's genuinely enough to see everything properly without dragging anyone round for the sake of it.

Getting there is straightforward from central London, and you can easily combine it with the wider Regent's Park itself. The park's got proper space for running around, which kids usually need after being contained anywhere. If you're staying at Lovat Parks just outside the city, it's a painless trip in for a morning.

Admission charges apply - it's not free - but it's cheaper than most London attractions. Go on a weekday if possible; weekends get properly rammed with school groups.