Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY
The Attenborough Komodo Dragon House
Zoo
Place photograph
4.3
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Paid
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.3A dry-riverbed landscape under glass brings visitors face to face with Khaleesi, a female Komodo dragon. The house honours Sir David Attenborough and his early connection with the species through the BBC series Zoo Quest for a Dragon.
This is a focused wildlife encounter rather than a wild landscape: the appeal lies in seeing a formidable, threatened reptile at close range and connecting the exhibit to the story of Attenborough’s early Komodo dragon filming.
Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapRegent’s Park, London NW1 4RY
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The experience
Visit London Zoo’s Komodo Dragon House to see Khaleesi through a panoramic sweep of dragon-proof glass, then learn about Komodo dragon conservation and the exhibit’s connection to Sir David Attenborough.
Things to do
Watch Khaleesi through the viewing glass
Look for the female Komodo dragon moving through her habitat, viewed across more than 20 metres of dragon-proof glass.
Allow time to observe
Notice the recreated dry riverbed
Look at how the naturally landscaped enclosure uses a dry-riverbed design, hot rocky scenery, vegetation and Indonesian bird sounds to evoke the species’ habitat.
Explore the conservation story
Read about threats to wild Komodo dragons, including habitat loss and declining prey, and ZSL’s support for a conservation project in Flores.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick dragon encounter
- 01
Visit the Komodo Dragon House within London Zoo.
- 02
Watch Khaleesi through the panoramic dragon-proof glass.
- 03
Take in the dry-riverbed habitat and read about Komodo dragon conservation.
Half day · Allow extra time
Add the story behind the habitat
- 01
Begin with Khaleesi and the habitat’s Indonesian-inspired landscape.
- 02
Explore the exhibit’s conservation information about threats to wild Komodo dragons and support for reserves in Flores.
- 03
Read the story of the house’s 2016 renaming in honour of Sir David Attenborough and his Zoo Quest connection.
Verified history
The exhibit was renamed in honour of Sir David Attenborough at a ceremony on 9 August 2016, marking his 90th birthday. The zoo’s account links the tribute to his history with ZSL and to Zoo Quest for a Dragon: in 1956, Attenborough and his team filmed Komodo dragons in Indonesia for the BBC series.
Hidden details
The exhibit’s namesake had an early connection to Komodo dragons — The house commemorates Attenborough’s 1956 Zoo Quest expedition, when he and his team filmed Komodo dragons in Indonesia.
When to go
· No particular time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check current zoo opening information.
The exhibit is an indoor, temperature-controlled habitat intended to reproduce a hot, rocky environment, so the weather outside is unlikely to be a seasonal draw.
The habitat is indoors. Check London Zoo’s current visitor information before travelling.
What to look for
Notice how the habitat’s dry riverbed, rocky setting, vegetation and bird sounds are designed to evoke the Komodo dragons’ Indonesian environment. Look for Khaleesi moving through the enclosure and consider the contrast between this carefully controlled habitat and the species’ threatened wild populations.
The story
Literature
Best time to go
Any season; the indoor, temperature-controlled habitat is designed to recreate a hot, rocky Indonesian environment. Check current opening information before travelling.
The habitat is indoors, so the exhibit can be visited in any season. Check the zoo’s current opening information before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Families · Young children · Teens · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-4pm
- Tuesday: 10am-4pm
- Wednesday: 10am-4pm
- Thursday: 10am-4pm
- Friday: 10am-4pm
- Saturday: 10am-4pm
- Sunday: 10am-4pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Located within London Zoo. The habitat is listed as open, but check London Zoo’s current opening and ticket information before visiting.
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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 with London Zoo for current route and access details.
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Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around The Attenborough Komodo Dragon House
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
