It's too late for Guy the Gorilla but London Zoo's new family attraction is such a popular London day out that you should book ahead when planning your London visit

Since His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh opened London Zoo's new Gorilla Kingdom on 29 March 2007, this new home for a group of western lowland gorillas has become one of London's top new attractions. The zoo in Regent's Park invested £5.3m (over $10m) in the stunning new enclosure, which took 18 months to create. The new Gorilla Kingdom has put the zoo's gorillas back as their number one attraction. For over 30 years the figure of Guy the Gorilla was synonymous with London Zoo.

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LONDON ZOO AND GUY THE GORILLA

• Guy was also an African lowland gorilla, who got his name because he arrived on Guy Fawkes Night, November 5th 1947. He was a magnificent animal, who became immensely popular with zoo staff and visitors alike. After Guy's death in 1978, a statue was erected in his honour.

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Like all good zoos, London Zoo is changing and providing its animals with as natural a habitat and as much space as possible. To have breeding groups of creatures like these western lowland gorillas is now seen as essential to the survival of the species.

The Gorilla Kingdom is part of London Zoo's belief in bringing down the bars. Visitors first walk down a leafy path and then through an aviary of African birds that would naturally share the gorillas' environment, before emerging in a forest clearing. Here there should be unbelievable close-up views of the gorillas on their island.

At present the island is home to Bobby and Zaire, who have lived together for five years, and Effie, a new arrival who has been introduced gradually. In the wild a dominant male will live with about five females, and in the Gorilla Kingdom London Zoo aims to slowly create this natural environment to encourage the gorillas to breed.

The Gorilla Kingdom also includes an indoor 'gym', where the gorillas can exercise, and a private den where they can retreat from the world if they feel like it.

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BUY LONDON ZOO TICKETS IN ADVANCE

Seeing the new Gorilla Kingdom has proved to be so popular that London Zoo advises visitors to buy tickets in advance, to avoid queues at the gate and delays in admission, particularly for weekends and during school holidays. Booking tickets in advance saves 10% on the admission price and provides access to a fast track entry gate. You can buy tickets from one day to six months in advance on the London Zoo website by clicking here.

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LONDON ZOO 2007 OPENING TIMES

London Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.

Mar 5 - Oct 21: 10am - 5.30pm

Oct 22 - Oct 28:10am - 4.30pm

Oct 29 – Feb 2008: 10am - 4pm

Last admission is one hour before advertised closing time.

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LONDON ZOO 2007 ADMISSION PRICES

For current entry costs click here.

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