Were there ever any lions in Britain?

Yes, there were lions in Britain, but not in recent history. During the Pleistocene epoch, which lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, Britain was home to a species known as the European or Eurasian cave lion (Panthera spelaea).

These lions were larger than modern African lions and roamed across much of Europe, including what is now Britain.

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These lions became extinct as the climate changed and the Ice Age came to an end, leading to the disappearance of many large mammal species in Europe. By the time humans began to settle in Britain, these lions had already vanished from the region.

In later history, lions were known in Britain, but only in captivity. The Tower of London, for example, famously housed a menagerie of exotic animals, including lions, from the 13th century onwards. These animals were gifts to the monarchy or were captured in the wild and brought back to Britain.

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