Golders Hill Park
Golders Hill Park Zoo
Free Family-Friendly Zoo in Hampstead Heath
Golders Hill Park Zoo is a small, charming zoo located in Golders Hill Park, part of Hampstead Heath in North West London. It’s completely free to visit, making it one of the best hidden gems for families, children, and animal lovers looking for a peaceful, affordable day out in the capital.
The Zoo is located within Golders Hill Park, North End Way, London NW3 7HE and operates daily aligning with the Park’s opening and closing times. Further information including seasonal opening hours and visitor facilities, can be found on the official Golders Hill Park webpage.
Getting there:
Tube
Golders Green Station (Northern Line) is a 14-minute walk away.
Bus
Routes 210 and 268 serve the area.
Parking
Limited Blue Badge parking is available within the park. Additional parking can be found at Jack Straws car park, a 10-minute walk away.
Our animal residents
Golders Hill Park Zoo is home to a diverse collection of animals, including:
- Ring-tailed Lemurs
- Red-necked wallabies
- Scottish Wildcat
- Kookaburras
- Fallow deer
- Donkeys
- Bantam chickens
- and more!
Adopt an animal
Show your support by adopting one of the zoo's residents. Adopters receive a certificate, a photograph of their chosen animal, and have their name displayed near the animal's enclosure.
Donate to Golders Hill Park Zoo
You can help support the Zoo by making a donation. All money collected will go directly to the Zoo and will be used to help feed the animals, for enrichment and for making improvements to their enclosures.
The Future of the Zoo and Our Conservation Work
Golders Hill Park Zoo is entering a new chapter. In the coming years, our animal collection will be refocused to tell the story of ‘Wildlife in Britain’ and its links to Hampstead Heath. To support this, we’ll be upgrading existing enclosures and creating new habitats for both current and future species.
Our team also contributes to local conservation by surveying wildlife across the park during the summer months. We regularly record species such as butterflies, bumblebees, damselflies, and dragonflies, helping us better understand and protect local biodiversity.
Stay connected
Follow us on social media for the latest updates, animal photos, and behind-the-scenes moments from Golders Hill Park Zoo:
Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter for exclusive stories, seasonal highlights, and updates on our animals and conservation efforts.
The History of the Zoo
Sir Samuel Scott and Master Frank Walker donate deer to the Park
Hon. Lionel Walter Rothschild MP donates two emus, two kangaroos and two rheas
Captain RW Templeton donates a black bear for two years
The British Bee Keepers Association install hives at the Zoo
The Zoo's stock is reduced as permission is given for the animals to be killed if their food was unavailable due to rationing
Post-war development sees red deer, a white stag, wallabies, rabbits and guinea pigs added to the collection
The Greater London Council take over management of the Zoo and replace its red deer with fallow deer and add Chinese water deer, soy sheep and wallabies to the collection
Flamingos, rheas, sarus cranes and several domestic species join the collection
The City of London Corporation takes on management of the Heath, Park and Zoo
The Zoo joins the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and ring-tailed lemurs, coati, kookaburras and other animals are added to the collection
Plans to redevelop the Zoo commence with a move towards a stronger association with native British wildlife.
Two Scottish Wildcats are added to the collection. A male, Ruthven, and female, Fearne, are a non-breeding pair and part of an important conservation plan to protect this endangered species.