London Zoo’s giraffes are taking center stage in a striking new poster set to appear across London Underground stations, as ZSL (the Zoological Society of London) celebrates its 200th anniversary.
The poster has been commissioned by London Transport Museum in collaboration with Transport for London (TfL) and forms the final artwork in the Museum’s popular “Great Days Out” poster series.
Celebrating One of London’s Most Iconic Landmarks
The artwork highlights London Zoo as one of the capital’s most beloved cultural attractions, celebrating its long-standing place in the city’s history.
At the heart of the design is the Zoo’s famous Giraffe House, which has stood since 1836 and remains the oldest building at London Zoo still in use for its original purpose.
Designed by renowned architect Decimus Burton, it was the world’s first purpose-built giraffe house and went on to influence animal enclosure design across the globe.
A Long History With London Transport
The poster also reflects the deep connection between London Zoo and the city’s transport network.
Since transport posters were first introduced in 1908, more than 80 London Transport and Underground posters have promoted visits to the Zoo — making it one of the most frequently featured attractions in the network’s history.
A Contemporary Artwork for a Historic Milestone
The new poster was created by award-winning artist Eliza Southwood, marking the return of contemporary artists being commissioned to design TfL travel posters for the first time since 2020.
Once released, the artwork will become part of London Transport Museum’s permanent collection, which includes around 36,000 posters and artworks — one of the world’s largest collections of twentieth-century graphic art.
200 Years of Connecting People With Wildlife
For two centuries, ZSL has worked to advance understanding of wildlife and inspire people to care about the natural world.
The new giraffe poster reflects that mission, celebrating London Zoo’s enduring role in helping generations of visitors connect with animals and conservation.
A City-Wide Celebration
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, praised the project:
“London Zoo is among our capital’s most treasured attractions. It’s wonderful that London Transport Museum and TfL are helping to celebrate the 200th anniversary of ZSL. This beautiful new poster joins a long tradition of iconic transport artworks that bring fun, charm, and inspiration to passengers across the city.”
A Modern Icon for a Historic Zoo
As the poster rolls out across the Underground, Londoners and visitors alike will be reminded that London Zoo is not just a place to see animals — it’s a living piece of the city’s cultural history, still inspiring curiosity and wonder 200 years on. 🦒🚇