With a young toddler and twins just past the "fourth trimester", we simultaneously struggle to get out of the house, and couldn't desire anything more! Weekends are our big time for family outings, as with 2 parents, tag-teaming and team work makes it possible... We'd always heard about the Battersea Park Zoo, and with an animal-mad toddler, thought it would be a perfect Saturday out. And we were correct! Pros: it's absolutely child-friendly, with loads of different elements that are especially appealing to the 0-5 crowd and their tired parents... Lots of the cute and easy-to-name animals you'd expect from a zoo/city farm, like ponies, llamas, different types of monkeys, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, as well as added outdoor extras, such as sit-on diggers, remote-controlled boats in a small reservoir, a full-size fire engine to climb in, playground bits and pieces, and, most excitingly for our 22-month-old, a large sandpit with chutes, containers, dams and steps for water and sand. Also a gift shop full of animal-related stuff for bribes (parents perhaps less excited about that one!), and a small cafe that serves coffee, hot and cold sandwiches and salads, and has a sandwich-and-extras children's meal. Great facilities for changing, I must say - changing tables outside of the stalls, clean and new, working straps, and Dettol spray and paper towels on offer (an important element to me, as so many public changing facilities are, frankly, sordid). They even have covered areas with hay bales inside reserved for children's parties... I'd certainly think about it! A highlight was ground-level metal tunnel leading to the meerkat enclosure - safe, secure and fun for the smalls to crawl through and pop their heads up through. Cons: not many, as it was a lovely visit for us all, and I'm aware we're in a minority for having had 3 under 1.5 years old... but... The entry fee is a bit pricey at £9.50 per adult, and once the littles hit 2, they cost £7.50, which isn't cheap considering how many attractions still have them free at that age. Also, in our family configuration, we couldn't even benefit from the family group discount (we need 2 adults present to in any way have a smooth-running, or even passably-running, good time!). I wonder how fun it would be if it were raining, as most of the attractions and activities take place outside, not necessarily under shelter... we had good weather, but playing in a wet sandpit or looking at monkeys while it pours on you doesn't sound too fun. Finally, the cafe was good for our purposes, but it is VERY small, and you have to squeeze between the queue/counter and a fridge to get to the seats, which proved a bit challenging for us and other parents. We have a double buggy, but a tandem one, so it's as narrow as single ones. All in all, a great afternoon out for families, pricey but worthwhile!

Recommended by Vanessa Martin with children ages 22 and months 16-week-old twins - Thu May 11 2017