If you head northwest out of the centre of London towards Camden Town, you will find Regents Park, home to London Zoo and one of the nicest open spaces in London.

Although originally used as hunting grounds and then farmland for Royalty, Regents Park as it is now was largely due to the vision of Architect, John Nash, who was responsible for the formal Gardens, flowerbeds and many of its historic buildings ( Carlton, Cumberland and Chester terraces, various villas and the Inner circle) early in the 19th Century. The Public were only allowed into the park in 1845. The completion of the Royal gardens and Botanic and Zoological gardens took place over a further 20 years. The modern day park occupies a vast area – nearly 500 acres of open parkland, gardens, sports pitches, playgrounds and a boating lake.

To the west end of the park is the London Central Mosque, a huge building with white walls and a large golden dome. Non Muslim visitors are allowed to have a look inside the (rather plain) building as long as you leave your shoes at the door.

In the North end corner of the park, near the Regents canal which runs through the park is the site of London Zoo, the oldest scientific zoo in the world (opening in 1828). Originally the zoo was populated with animals from Royal menageries and intended for scientific study by academics only. It was nearly 20 years later before it was opened to the public in 1847 and was an instant hit. London zoo has also a number of other first to its credit – as well as being the first scientific zoo, it was also home to the first Reptile House and Insect House, the first aquarium open to the public and the first Children's or 'petting ' zoo.

The Zoo has had an uncertain history and has been faced with closure on a number of occasions, in the early 1980s and also in 1991. This is partly because London zoo has never received any government funding and has to rely on entrance fees and donations.

The zoo is no longer home to some of the really big animals like Elephants, Hippos and Rhinos, these have since been moved out to London Zoo's bigger sister site at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire. However there is still plenty to excite the visitor young and old alike.

Film buffs amongst you will remember parts of London Zoo as set locations in a variety of films : the last scene in 'Withnail and I' where a despondent Withnail gives a speech from Hamlet next to the wolf enclosure. The scene in an American werewolf in London wakes up naked in the wolf's enclosure and has to pinch a child's balloon and a lady's coat in order to cover up and get home. More recently, an early scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone where the young Harry finds he can talk with the large Python.

In recent years, the Zoo has made efforts to replace the traditional animal cages with more natural enclosures to give the visitor a more realistic experience which highlights the ecological aspects of the Zoo's work. Examples of this new approach are the newer "Into Africa", "Gorilla's Kingdom" and the "Clore Rainforest Lookout". One of the most memorable parts of the Zoo would be the Children's enclosure where the kids can actually handle the animals, most kids love the place and you'll be hard pushed to drag them away!