London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL): where does the money come from?
London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL) had income of £93m in the year to April 2025. It welcomed 2,190,000 visitors.
What does London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL) do?
ZSL, the Zoological Society of London, is a conservation charity that runs London Zoo in Regent's Park and Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire. Founded in 1826 and granted a Royal Charter in 1829, it also carries out conservation projects worldwide and scientific research through its Institute of Zoology. Unlike the national museums it charges for zoo entry, and most of its income comes from zoo tickets, membership, donations, grants and partnerships.
In brief: conservation charity · two zoos · paid entry · Regent's Park and Whipsnade
Source: Spark Intel editorial, checked 27 September 2026. Official website: zsl.org.
Where does London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL)'s money come from?
London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL) receives no grant-in-aid: all £93m came from what it earns and raises itself.
- Admissions and exhibitions £32m 35%
- Shops, catering and commercial £20m 22%
- Donations and legacies £7m 8%
- Other income £33m 36%
What did London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL) spend, and what is it worth?
| Measure | Apr 2025 | Previous year |
|---|---|---|
| Total income | £93m | £83m |
| Total spending | £91m | |
| Net income before gains | £1.8m | |
| Staff costs | £39m | |
| Staff | 957 | |
| Net assets | £95m | |
| Cash | £25m | |
| Visitors | 2,190,000 | |
| Income per visitor | £42.33 |
Net income is before investment gains and property revaluations. For a charity it is the surplus kept for the collection and buildings, not a profit paid out.
- Legal form
- Charity incorporated under Royal Charter (registered charity 208728; Royal Charter RC000749)
- Sites
- London Zoo (Regent's Park), Whipsnade Zoo
- Trading company
- Zoo Enterprises Limited (01178687)
- Latest accounts
- Year to 30 April 2025
London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL): common questions
How much money does London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL) get from the government?
London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL) reports no government grant-in-aid in its accounts for the year to April 2025; its income of £93m comes from its own activities, donations and other sources.
How much does London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL) spend?
£91m in the year to April 2025, of which staff costs were £39m.
How many people visit London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL)?
2,190,000 in the year to April 2025 (Total zoo visitors, London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo combined, year to 30 April 2025 (chart in thousands: 2,190; London about 1.3 million, Whipsnade about 0.9 million)), according to its annual report.
Why isn't London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL) on the Companies House register?
London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL) is charity incorporated under Royal Charter (registered charity 208728; Royal Charter RC000749), so it publishes its accounts in an annual report rather than filing them at Companies House. Its trading company, Zoo Enterprises Limited, does file there.
Spark Intel, “London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL): where does the money come from?”, updated 28 September 2026. https://www.spark-intel.co.uk/companies/zsl/. Figures from London Zoo and Whipsnade (ZSL)'s annual report and accounts for the year to 30 April 2025.
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