London Zoo

The penguin pool is genuinely where you want to start at London Zoo. It's been there since 1934 and the birds still command your attention - watch them torpedo through the water and you'll understand why people make the trip to Regent's Park specifically for this.

It's one of the oldest scientific zoos in the world, which shows. The layout feels properly lived-in rather than theme-park slick. You can spend two to three hours here without rushing, though families with younger kids might want the better part of a day if they're keen on the reptile house and the walk-through aviary.

The animals themselves are well-kept, though I'll be honest - some enclosures are tighter than you'd hope. It's worth going, but temper expectations. You're not getting Serengeti vistas. What you get instead is a chance to see big cats, giraffes, and red pandas without leaving London, plus the zoo runs conservation programmes most people never hear about.

Entry isn't cheap and you'll need to book ahead online. Spring and early autumn are your best bets - summer gets rammed with school groups, and winter is drizzly and quiet in the worst way. If you're basing yourselves at Lovat Parks just 3 miles away, this slots in nicely as a half-day diversion from the usual park routine. Kids under three go free, which helps with the cost.