Regent’s Park, Outer Circle, London NW1 4RY
Snowdon Aviary (now Monkey Valley)
Zoo
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4.8
Wildland
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Time
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Cost
Quirky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.8Conceived as a bold piece of zoo architecture, the Snowdon Aviary opened in 1965 as Britain’s first walk-through aviary. Its soaring, tension-supported structure has since been given a new purpose as Monkey Valley.
A distinctive encounter with London Zoo’s architectural past: the former aviary’s inventive 1960s structure survives in a new habitat setting. It is a focused zoo visit rather than a standalone wild landscape.
Quirky · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapRegent’s Park, Outer Circle, London NW1 4RY
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The experience
Visit the former Snowdon Aviary within London Zoo and look at how a pioneering walk-through structure has been adapted for a new habitat. Check current opening, access and ticket information with the zoo.
Things to do
Look closely at the structure
Notice the aviary’s soaring form and tension-supported construction, described in London Zoo’s history as a web of steel cables over an aluminium framework.
Trace the aviary’s change of purpose
Learn how the pioneering walk-through aviary opened in 1965 and was later revitalised as Monkey Valley.
Make a day of it
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See the aviary’s architectural legacy
- 01
Visit the Snowdon Aviary area within London Zoo; the original structure has been reimagined as Monkey Valley.
- 02
Notice the soaring framework and consider how the building’s original design was adapted for a new purpose.
Verified history
Designed in 1960–61, developed between 1962 and 1964, and opened to the public in 1965, the Snowdon Aviary was Britain’s first walk-through aviary. Antony Armstrong-Jones, the Earl of Snowdon, worked with architect Cedric Price and structural engineer Frank Newby on its design. The structure used tensioned steel cables, an aluminium framework and lightweight mesh. London Zoo says it has since been revitalised as Monkey Valley.
Hidden details
A permanent tension structure — London Zoo describes the aviary as the first tension building in the UK designed to be permanent, and notes its extensive use of aluminium and computer modelling in the engineering calculations.
When to go
· Check before visiting; no evidence-backed recommendation available.
The supplied source does not identify a seasonal highlight.
Check before visiting for current visitor information.
What to look for
Look for the aviary’s soaring framework and its distinctive tension-supported design. The official history describes a web of steel cables, an aluminium framework and lightweight mesh.
The story
Science, Industrial design and architecture
Best time to go
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Check before visiting; no best time of day is confirmed by the supplied sources.
How long to spend
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Perfect for
Families · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-4pm
- Tuesday: 10am-4pm
- Wednesday: 10am-4pm
- Thursday: 10am-4pm
- Friday: 10am-4pm
- Saturday: 10am-4pm
- Sunday: 10am-4pm
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Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Located within London Zoo. The historic Snowdon Aviary has been reimagined as Monkey Valley; check London Zoo for current visitor access and details before travelling.
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Parking
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Check London Zoo for current route and facility details.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Snowdon Aviary (now Monkey Valley)
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
