Camden with kids: the zoo, the canal and the markets

The plan: Camden Market first, the canal second, the zoo last, or flip it if your children are animal people and will not wait. The zoo is the expensive part, so book it ahead, and check the opening times on the zoo's own site before you set off.

ZSL London Zoo

The zoo is on Outer Circle, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY, between Regent's Park, Primrose Hill and Camden Town. From Camden Town station it is a 15 to 20 minute walk, or you can take the 274 bus. Check the stop name on TfL before you go, because the guides disagree on it.

It opened in 1828 and covers 36 acres. The headline exhibits include Gorilla Kingdom, Tiger Territory, Land of the Lions and Penguin Beach, and there are several indoor areas, which helps if the forecast turns. Monkey Valley, built from the old Snowdon Aviary, opened in 2022.

Tickets: the zoo has four price bands: Off Peak Weekday, Standard, Standard Weekend and Peak. Advance adult tickets (16 to 64) run from £27.70 to £34.50 without the voluntary donation. Child tickets (3 to 15) run from £19.40 to £24.10. Under-3s are free. Buying at the gate costs more, so book ahead. Online advance tickets must be bought before 10:00 on the day. Members do not need to pre-book. A disabled visitor can bring one essential carer free, and there are discounted tickets for people on Universal Credit and some other benefits. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Hours: the zoo is normally open from 10:00 every day except Christmas Day, and last entry is an hour before closing. Closing time shifts through the autumn, so check the official opening times page for the day you are going. Some animal exhibits can close up to 30 minutes before the zoo does.

Food inside: the Barista Bar, next to The Terrace Restaurant, serves coffee and hot drinks from 10:00 until closing. The Terrace Restaurant is open for eat-in or takeaway from 11:30 to 14:30. If you want a hot lunch there, plan the day around that window.

The canal

Regent's Canal runs 8.6 miles from Little Venice through Regent's Park, King's Cross and Camden Lock to Limehouse Basin. It was completed in 1820 and carried coal, timber, ice and building materials, and zoo animals went by barge too. From the towpath you can see the zoo aviary and may catch a glimpse of animals.

Walking it: the Canal and River Trust describes the walk from Little Venice to Camden Lock as 2 miles and about an hour. Where Maida Hill Tunnel blocks the towpath, you detour via Edgware Road and Aberdeen Place. The towpath is shared with cyclists and runners, so keep small children close. Head east from Camden and the towpath is blocked at the Islington Tunnel. Read the Trust's towpath code before you set out with toddlers, and keep them close to the water side of you.

Going by boat: the London Waterbus Company runs between Little Venice and Camden Market in either direction, about 45 minutes depending on canal traffic and tunnel waits. The official timetable page gives fares from £17. Camden Market's journal puts single tickets at £13 to £17. The Camden end is at Camden Lock Place, and the Little Venice end is Browning's Pool, nearest Tube Warwick Avenue. Ring 020 7482 2550 to confirm the child fare and the autumn timetable. Do not assume the boat stops at the zoo until the operator confirms it.

Camden Market

The market has three areas: the Stables on Chalk Farm Road (NW1 8AH), the Lock on Camden Lock Place (NW1 8AF) and Hawley Wharf on Chalk Farm Road (NW1 8AA). Use Camden Town station for the Lock and Chalk Farm for the Stables and Hawley Wharf. Opening times are generally 10:00 to 18:00 or 19:00 daily, but individual traders vary, so check the market's visit page.

The Stables can feel cramped at peak times, and with children the advice is to arrive early and leave before the crowds build. Hawley Wharf is the most family-friendly zone, being indoor with plenty of seating.

• Babylon Park, Hawley Wharf: an indoor rollercoaster, bumper cars, arcade games, soft play for smaller children and a café for parents. Check prices and hours first.
• Plonk crazy golf, Stables arches: nine holes, and under-18s can play before 17:00 on weekdays.
• Hans & Gretel, North Yard: a sweet shop and gelateria, the obvious pudding bribe.
• Camden Old Time Photos: a dressing-up photo studio.
• Curzon Camden, in the railway arches: five screens, popcorn and an all-day pizza menu, handy for a rainy afternoon.

Camden Market itself lists these on its family days out page. Opening hours change, so check before promising anyone a go on the bumper cars.

Putting the day together

• Morning: Camden Market at the Lock or Hawley Wharf, lunch and a lap of the family spots.
• Middle: the waterbus from Camden Lock Place, or the towpath on foot if the weather and the children's legs allow.
• Afternoon: the zoo, with last entry an hour before closing. If you have only one afternoon, make that the zoo and start there.

The zoo is the main event, the canal is the best free thing in NW1, and Hawley Wharf is the dry-weather fallback. Book the zoo, ring the waterbus, and pack snacks for the walk between them.