Hanwell Zoo is offering local families the perfect Christmas present with free entry for children all the way up to Christmas Eve. There’s also plenty of fun and activities taking place during the festive period, as well as the much-loved menagerie of animals that call the zoo their home.

The zoo has been given a Christmas makeover and there are a number of photo opportunities for visitors to create their own special festive memories. Plus there are plenty of stocking fillers to be had in the gift shop.

There are now more than 50 species at the zoo, including the ever entertaining meerkats, tamarin monkeys, porcupines, and a family of ring-tailed lemurs.

Spectacular, endangered red-crowned cranes and green peacocks grace the zoo’s Asian aviary, which is dedicated to the conservation of rare birds from the Far East, and the ‘Jungle Walkthrough’ houses a number of fantastic lizards, snakes and butterflies.

The world’s largest rodents called capybara also reside at the zoo, alongside many other species, from the flock of flamboyant flamingos, to more familiar favourites such as pigs, goats, rabbits, ducks, chickens and turkeys.

There is plenty to learn about which animals choose to hibernate and which will migrate for the colder months to warmer climates.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for leisure and finance said: “Hanwell Zoo is spreading the Christmas cheer by offering free entry to children over the festive season – making it the perfect destination for a family trip.

“A visit will definitely get you feeling festive and there are some amazing animals to see – if you haven’t been down already, you should. You will be supporting the future of conservation and local community projects.”

Entrance fees into the zoo starts at just £3.50 for adults and up to Christmas Eve, Children up to 15 years old, accompanied by adult can visit free.

There are also annual season tickets and membership packages available at great prices – with your entrance money essential in funding the running costs of the zoo into the future.

You can find out more on the zoo’s Facebook page, which is currently giving zoo lovers the shot at winning a year’s free membership plus a chance to meet the resident lemurs.