Did you know that the iconic naturalist Charles Darwin visited the ZSL London Zoo to study the first orangutan that lived here in March 1838? He included the study in his book, On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection. When Darwin saw the ape named Jenny for the first time, he was astonished by looking her looking at her own reflection in a mirror. He also noted how animals could understand humans. And, this is not the only zoo in this region. So, the next time you visit Luton, make sure you plan your trip such that you can also see at least one of the famous zoos here. The best part about visiting Luton is the incredible options for accommodation, with hotels located conveniently near M1 Junction 9, says a spokesperson from Holiday Inn Luton South, one of the leading hotels on M1.
4 Must Visit Zoos near Luton
- The London Zoo: This zoo is celebrating 190 years of its opening in 2018. It is the oldest scientific zoo in the world. It is also the first site in the world to breed the Lake Oku clawed frog in 2014. Along with live bears, you will find a life size replica of Winnie-the-Pooh right here. The creator of this well-loved character, Alan Alexander Milne, changed the name of his iconic character from Pooh to Winnie-the-Pooh after visiting the London Zoo and watching a live bear named Winnie. Today, the zoo houses 698 species. To reach this zoo easily, you can stay at one of the affordable hotels near M1, Junction 9.
- Whipsnade Zoo: This zoo, also owned by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is spread over 600 acres of wilderness, making it one of the largest zoos in England. It is situated in Bedfordshire and is famous for its wild life safari that showcases 3,500 animals, as well as most of the animal species found in the African continent. You can also ride on the Jumbo Express, a toy train, to get a glimpse of the entire expanse. This zoo is also home to butterflies, housed in a separate Butterfly House.
- Woburn Safari Park: The jungle safari of this zoo makes it special, allowing you to see tigers and lions walking freely around your car. You can also go on a foot safari to see the lemurs, porcupines and otters. The safari park covers an area of 360 acres and is home to rhinos, elephants and black bears as well. You can shop for gifts or have a meal in the leisure area that also has petting zones, a gift shop and family restaurants. The best part is that hotels near Luton airport come with parking, so you can even go on a safari in your own car.
- Linton Zoo: This zoo was started as an initiative to save various animal species from becoming extinct when its founder, Len Simmons, shifted his pet shop business to a breeding farm in 1972. Covering an area of 18 acres, Linton Zoo is home to a large collection of wildlife, from tarantulas to snakes and zebras, Amur tigers, Brazilian tapirs and the Golden Lion Tamarin and more. Although situated in Cambridgeshire, it is an easy drive from the hotels near M1, Junction 9 in Luton.
So, the next time you are in this region, make sure to explore your wild side with a trip to one of these amazing zoos.