Take a walk on the wild side with a sleepover at London Zoo

From fascinating historic sites to world-class museums and quaint pubs, there are thousands of possibilities to add to your must-do list when planning a trip to London. But did you know that one surprising possibility is that you can stay the night at London Zoo? That’s right! After the crowds have dispersed, get ready to monkey around. Find yourself up close and personal with the zoo's collection of over 16,000 animals for exclusive sunset and after-dark tours. Enjoy a two-course meal before spending the night in a rustic wooden lodge to a soundtrack of lions roaring in the distance, then wake up for an exciting morning tour where you'll get to meet a zookeeper. Combine these exciting perks with two free days of zoo entry, and you’re in for a walk on London's wild side.

London Zoo offers animal lovers and thrill seekers alike a unique overnight experience. Opened in 1828 and spread over 14 hectares in The Regent's Park, London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo and is a true wonderland of nature. Once the day-trippers have left and the gates are locked, overnight zoo guests get to see the animals after hours on tours designed to glimpse their nighttime routines. Amid quiet surroundings, you'll observe the animals as they prepare for bed and the following day as they wake up, all on special tours designed to get you up close and personal with your favourite wild things.

The chance to experience a sleepover at London Zoo is just as rare as some of the 750 species of animals found on the premises. While this popular experience is highly sought after, there's limited availability, so be sure to book as far in advance as possible. 

The zoo offers two options for overnight stays: Family nights and adults-only experiences. Family nights allow children between the ages of 5 and 13 when accompanied by an adult age 18 or over (children under 18 may not attend alone, and zoo sleepovers are not suitable for children under 5). Adults-only nights are for guests aged 14 and over and may feature more mature content on the tours. Once you've chosen your preferred dates and experience type, pack your rucksack and prepare to enter the wild! 

On the day of your sleepover, you can enter the zoo any time after 10 a.m. Spend the day exploring and making new friends before checking into your lodge at 4:30 p.m. (or 4 p.m. in the winter). Overnight stays take place in the London Zoo Lodges, a colourful collection of Gujarati-inspired wooden cabins that look as though they have been transported to London directly from the forest of India's Gir National Park. Set in the Land of the Lions habitat near the zoo's Asiatic lions, the cabins have a distinctly exotic feel yet feature all the comforts you'd expect from a hotel room. Each of the 10 cabins provides homey amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, cosy beds, tea and coffeemaking facilities with a selection of hot drinks, and en suite bathrooms with toiletries and towels.

After settling into your quaint, brightly painted lodge with a complimentary drink, prepare for your first after-hours zoo tour. As the sun sets, you'll be guided through the zoo by dedicated staff members on hand to answer all your burning zoological questions. Tours are tailored for age-appropriate content depending on whether you've booked a family or adults-only visit. After the sunset tour, you'll need some food. Head over to the restaurant for a scrumptious two-course dinner made with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Following dinner, the after-dark tour takes place, allowing you the rare opportunity to see the animals as they prepare to bed down for the night.

The next morning, start the day off with an ample breakfast buffet accompanied by a chorus of animals. As you sip your morning coffee, marvel at the sounds of chirping, roaring, neighing, growling and trumpeting emanating from the thousands of animals all around you. Next, it's time for the exclusive morning zoo tour which takes place before the zoo opens to the public. During this tour, you'll be joined by a zookeeper to give you insider information into the lives of your new furry (or winged, slimy or scaly!) friends. Following the zoo tour, you're free to stay in the zoo all day for further exploration (you'll need to check out of your lodge, but luggage storage is available). Guests are also allowed free access to the nearby Whipsnade Zoo, the largest zoo in the U.K. measuring in at over 240 hectares.

• A zoo sleepover gives you exclusive access to the knowledge of the staff and zookeepers who act as your guides during your stay. During any of the three tours included in your overnight package, feel free to ask questions about any of your favourite animals — there's no doubt you'll learn everything you ever wanted to know.
• Zoo sleepover packages include access to Whipsnade Zoo (only on the second day), which is set in Dunstable, 53 km outside of London.
• Sleepover guests get discounts on Meet the Animals encounters, including interactive experiences with monkeys, meerkats and giraffes.

• Dinner and breakfast are included in the zoo sleepover packages, and a large variety of special dietary requirements can be catered for. If you require vegan, vegetarian or Halal fare, or have allergies, be sure to inform the zoo at least two weeks before your stay.
• If you're staying overnight at the zoo to celebrate a special occasion, you're in luck! The zoo offers prosecco, champagne or birthday cake upgrades for purchase.
• Be sure to pack layers appropriate for London weather in the season during which you're visiting. Also, comfortable walking shoes are a must, along with your camera, charging equipment and your list of questions to ask the zookeeper.
• Don't forget that the animals in the zoo are indeed wild, and will act appropriately to defend themselves if necessary. Be sure to follow all posted zoo guidelines and instructions to ensure your safety during your stay.
• Any time of year is an excellent time to visit for a sleepover. Since the zoo houses hundreds of different species of animals, each is adapted to different climates and thus has different times of the year they are more or less active. If you want to make sure a specific animal will be visible during your stay, be sure to call the zoo and check before making your booking.

While an overnight stay at London Zoo may not be a typical tourist activity on your U.K. holiday, it will undoubtedly give animal lovers, young and old, a unique experience to create beautiful memories of London. If you're not ready to let your fun zoo visit come to a close, why not stay near the zoo for a few more nights? Check out the family-friendly Novotel London Paddington, or the Pullman London St Pancras for a more stylish, contemporary option.

London Zoo, Outer Circle, The Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, 0344 225 1826. London Zoo is open 364 days per year (closed on Christmas Day). However, zoo sleepover packages are limited to select dates, so be sure to book well in advance.