They have the old ZSL problem of a building which is hard to remodel and update. The old Clore was fantastic in its time (35 years ago) but the majority of the interior cages were always quite small and now they look far too small - partly because we now understand that species like marmosets should not be kept just in pairs, the young ones need to grow up in a group. Some of the stranger designs, like the moated cages for porcupines etc, should have been modified 25 years ago in my opinion.
I like the external cages that have been added and most of the modifications to the nocturnal section.The Rainforest section is an interesting attempt, although it's not much like a real rainforest. I think the way they have added a few birds, reptiles and fishes is not very convincing: is it a mammal display or a rainforest display?
I am surprised that they have never made more effective and imaginative use of the three courtyards inside the building.
