Best Aquariums Near Me in the UK (+ Biggest Aquarium)

2. National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth

The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth boasts the UK’s biggest collection of sharks. Their display tank, named Eddystone Reef, is home to around 20 different shark species including Nurse sharks, Blacktip reef sharks and the formidable Zebra shark.

You can learn about shark anatomy, biology and behaviour thanks to informative signs, displays and feeding talks by aquarium staff. The aquarium also has the only public accessible breeding area for sharks in the UK.

Of course, there are plenty more marine creatures to meet at the National Marine Aquarium. The huge Atlantic Ocean exhibit features fish, rays and other species found off the coast of the British Isles. Seahorses, clown fish, jellyfish and octopus all have their own dedicated displays too.

And the rockpool experience allows you to handle starfish, crabs and shells.

Address: Rope Walk, Coxside, Plymouth, PL4 0LF
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £16.95 adults, £13.95 children 4-15yrs

3. Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire

Home to over 100 living exhibits, Blue Planet Aquarium near Manchester is considered one of the best aquariums for kids in the UK. The spotlight is firmly on their impressive shark collection, including the UK’s largest Sand Tiger shark population.

You can observe them up-close from the 70-metre underwater walkthrough tunnel, which provides jaw-dropping views of these stealthy predators gliding above and around you. Other shark species on display include blacktip reef sharks, zebra sharks, nurse sharks and the gigantic pacific sleeper shark.

As well as sharks, Blue Planet Aquarium has plenty of other interesting exhibits to explore like the colourful coral reef, the Flooded Forest with freshwater stingrays, and endangered amphibians like the Panamanian golden frog. And new for 2023, don’t miss ‘Madagascar’ – a recreation of the island’s biodiversity with over 1,000 creatures.

After you’ve had your fill of sea life, why not pop down to nearby Chester Zoo – one of the best zoos in the UK and the largest in the country!

Address: Mottram Old Rd, Tameside, Cheshire SK15 3QT
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £17.20 adults, £12.30 children 3-15yrs

4. National SEA LIFE Centre, Birmingham

Considered one of the top attractions in Birmingham, The National Sea Life Centre brings you face-to-face with over 2,000 underwater creatures. Sharks and rays glide above your head as you walk through the ocean tunnel – the UK’s only 360-degree underwater viewing experience.

Beyond the tunnel, discover seahorses, jellyfish, octopus, clown fish and many more exotic species. There are over 30 displays in all, plus talks and feeding demonstrations from the expert staff. 

Get hands-on at the rockpool, handling starfish and sea urchins. With so much to see and do, the National Sea Life Centre makes for an unforgettable family day out, and one of the top things to do in the West Midlands.

Address: The Waters Edge, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HL
Opening times: Mon-Fri 10am – 5pm, Sat-Sun 10am – 6pm
Ticket prices: £19.75 adults, £15.75 children 3-15yrs

5. SEA LIFE Weymouth

When it comes to world-class interactive aquariums in the UK, SEA LIFE Weymouth brings the wonders of the ocean to life with over 40 stunning displays showcasing underwater worlds.

The walkthrough tunnel puts you at eye-level with sharks and giant sea turtles. Touch a starfish in the rockpool experience. And learn how the staff rescue and rehabilitate seals.

Unique activities let you race ghost crabs or become an honorary keeper for a day. Take in scenes from prehistory on the Jurassic safari. With endangered sea dragons, rays and the behind-the-scenes Turtle Breeding Centre, there’s always something new to discover on a return visit to SEA LIFE Weymouth.

Address: Lodmoor Country Park, Preston Rd, Weymouth DT4 7SX
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £20.95 adults, £15.95 children 3-15yrs

6. The SEA LIFE London Aquarium

Housed in a prime central London location, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is home to over 500 aquatic species from around the world, and is one of the best aquariums with penguins in the UK.

The spotlight is on their colony of Gentoo penguins – the only one in country! Watch them play and dive gracefully at their chilled-out pad. For shark encounters, take a walk through the glass Sea Treks tunnel, putting you at eye level with these stealth predators.

With 14 themed zones, there’s plenty more to explore like the coral reefs, rainforest, and Atlantic displays. Take part in the feeding shows and talks to learn about seahorse conservation, jellyfish lifecycles, and caring for turtles. 

The staff here are constantly working to protect global marine life. Don’t miss out on the fun photo opportunities too!

When you’re done spending a couple of hours at SEA LIFE London, be sure to head down to the London Dungeon to complete a truly memorable day out!

Address: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 7PB
Opening times: Mon-Fri 10am – 6pm, Sat-Sun 10am – 7pm
Ticket prices: £29 adults, £22 children 3-15yrs

7. SEA LIFE Manchester

SEA LIFE Manchester brings an underwater world alive in the heart of the Trafford Centre. The walkthrough underwater tunnel puts you face-to-face with sharks and rays gliding above and around you. It’s an unforgettable up-close experience.

This aquarium also boasts the UK’s first artificial dive wreck, recreating the creatures that live on sunken ships. The jungle biome exhibit with free-flying birds fully transports you. 

Conservation is a key mission, with programmes to protect endangered seahorses and giant sea turtles. With talks from passionate staff, SEA LIFE Manchester reveals ocean magic.

Address: intu Trafford Centre, Barton Square, TraffordCity, Manchester M17 8AA
Opening times: Mon-Fri 10am – 8pm, Sat-Sun 10am – 7pm
Ticket prices: £22 adults, £17 children 3-15yrs

8. The SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Brighton

SEA LIFE Brighton is the world’s oldest aquarium – bringing an underwater world to life with over 150 species on display. 

The walkthrough shark tunnel puts you eye-to-eye with these stealthy predators as well as placid rays. See local marine wildlife like vivid reef fish, starfish and seahorses found along the Brighton coastline.

There are opportunities to feed the rays yourself and observe giant sea turtles up close. Talks from knowledgeable staff provide a window into marine conservation challenges. 

Don’t miss the UK’s first Planet Jellies experience illuminating these alien creatures. With endangered seadragons and behind-the-scenes turtle rescue, SEA LIFE Brighton inspires admiration for our oceans.

Address: Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TB
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £22.50 adults, £17.50 children 3-15yrs

9. The Cornish Seal Sanctuary

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary provides a vital rescue service for sick and injured seals across the South West. Visitors can learn about seal conservation through talks and feeding demonstrations with the knowledgeable staff.

Get up close to the sanctuary’s residents as these charming creatures frolic and play. Displays detail their biology and behaviour. As well as seals, spot penguins, otters, ponies and more. 

A visit to The Cornish Seal Sanctuary supports their mission of rehabilitation and is a memorable family day out.

Address: Gweek, Helston TR12 6UG
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £16.50 adults, £13.20 children 3-15yrs

10. SEA LIFE Aquarium Scarborough

SEA LIFE Scarborough contains over 2,500 creatures to discover across interactive displays. The main ocean tunnel lets you walk beneath sharks and rays as they swim overhead, providing thrillingly close encounters. 

See mesmerising jellyfish illuminate their tanks as they pulse. Laugh at the antics of the playful otters and admire the UK’s largest octopus.

Unique experiences allow you to become an honorary keeper for the day, preparing food and feeding the animals. Talks from staff provide insider knowledge about the residents. Conservation is a key mission, with endangered seahorse breeding programmes. 

With so much hands-on discovery both above and below the surface, SEA LIFE Scarborough truly immerses you in the mysteries of the deep.

Address: Scalby Mills, New South Bay, Scarborough YO12 6RP
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £19.50 adults, £15.50 children 3-15yrs

11. Loch Lomond Aquarium, Scotland

Although small in size, Loch Lomond Aquarium provides in-depth education on local Scottish wildlife found in the loch and surrounding areas.

Interactive displays detail the lifecycle of seals, seabirds, salmon and other aquatic species. Learn about the relationships between the animals and their habitat.

Get hands-on at the touch pools, feeling shells, starfish and sea anemones. The otters always delight as they playfully swim and dive as they would in the wild. Seals glide gracefully past the windows. The staff give insightful talks and feeding demonstrations throughout the day.

With a focus on conservation, Loch Lomond Aquarium highlights the wonders of native marine life on the doorstep. Don’t miss this hidden gem for the best of the Scottish seas. Kids will love the interactive elements while adults can deepen their knowledge of local aquaculture.

Address: Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch G83 8QL
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £8.50 adults, £6.50 children 3-15yrs

12. Lake District Coast Aquarium, Cumbria

Looking for the best family-friendly aquariums in the Lake District? Look no further. In the heart of the Lake District National Park, you’ll discover this small aquarium that provides a window into the wildlife found in the lakes and rivers of Cumbria.

Discover the lifecycles of charismatic species like the Atlantic salmon on interactive displays, fascinating visitors with insights into their epic migrations.

Friendly staff give daily feeding talks and demonstrations, providing further education about protecting these special ecosystems. Don’t miss getting hands-on with shells and bones in the discovery zone.

Although compact, Lake District Aquarium is packed with in-depth discoveries about the wonders of native aquatic wildlife. Kids and adults alike will deepen their appreciation for these captivating species and fragile habitats.

For more exciting activities in the Lake District, consider going paddleboarding on Ullswater, one of the top paddle-boarding spots in the UK.

Address: Lake District National Park, Cumbria CA12 4TP
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket Prices: £9 adults, £7 children under 16

13. SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth

Over 2,000 creatures populate the SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth displays. The main draw is the underwater viewing tunnel, putting you at eye-level with sharks, rays and gigantic sea turtles. It’s an unforgettable walkthrough experience.

Beyond the tunnel, exhibits showcase coastal marine species found nearby like vibrant reef fish, alien-like jellyfish and local crustaceans. Talks and feeding times let you learn about marine conservation in East Anglia from the passionate staff. 

With endangered seahorses and the hands-on rockpool, SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth brings the ocean to Norfolk’s coast.

Address: Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth NR30 3JT
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £19.99 adults, £15.99 children 3-15yrs

14. National Lobster Hatchery

The National Lobster Hatchery provides a specialised look into the world of lobster conservation. Through talks and displays, learn about lobster biology like their lifecycle from egg to adult. 

Witness the hatching process up close in the nursery. The touch pools allow close encounters with the spiny residents. And the staff are dedicated to education on sustainable lobster fishing. 

Although small, the National Lobster Hatchery is packed with fascinating insights into these captivating crustaceans. Don’t miss this unique marine experience in Padstow.

Address: South Quay, Padstow PL28 8BL
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £5.95 adults, £4.95 children 5-16yrs

15. Anglesey Sea Zoo, Wales

Although compact, Anglesey Sea Zoo provides up-close access to over 150 marine species found in the waters around Anglesey. Displays celebrate local biodiversity with mesmerising seahorses, alien-looking octopus, camouflaged pipefish and conger eels.

There are talks and feeding demonstrations throughout the day where you can learn about British marine wildlife from the passionate staff. Find out how the zoo cares for rescued and rehabilitated animals before returning them to the wild. Don’t miss the seabird rehabilitation centre too.

With a mission dedicated to conservation and education, Anglesey Sea Zoo packs in fascinating insights about the wonders of the Welsh coastline. Kids will love getting hands-on with local species, while adults can deepen their knowledge of marine biology and protecting aquatic ecosystems.

Address: Brynsiencyn, Anglesey LL61 6TQ
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £10.95 adults, £8.95 children 3-15yrs

16. SEA Life Blackpool

Discover an underwater world on the Blackpool seafront at Sea Life. The main draw is the floor-to-ceiling ocean tunnel, putting you eye-level with sharks, rays and massive sea turtles as they glide gracefully by. Walking through is an unforgettable experience.

Upstairs, interactive rockpools allow hands-on encounters with starfish, crabs and small sharks. Learn about local wildlife found along the Lancashire coast and see rescued animals recuperating before release. Chatting with the staff provides fascinating insights into marine biology and conservation.

With endangered seahorses, moon jelly exhibits, and seabird rehabilitation, Sea Life Blackpool brings the mysteries of the ocean to the Golden Mile. Kids and adults alike will be captivated by the up-close marine encounters and inspirational conservation mission.

When you’re done at SEA LIFE Blackpool, don’t miss out on the city’s biggest attraction: The Pleasure Beach – one of the best theme parks in England.

Address: The Promenade, Blackpool FY1 4QF
Opening Times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket Prices: £19 adults, £15 children under 14

17. Macduff Marine Aquarium, Scotland

Macduff Marine Aquarium educates visitors on the captivating marine species found just off the Aberdeenshire coast. Displays detail the lives of local dolphins, seals, whales and seabirds. 

Get eye-to-eye with alien-looking squid and jellyfish. The touchpools allow up-close encounters with starfish and urchins. And the staff demonstrate the rescue process for stranded marine animals. 

With a conservation mission, Macduff Marine Aquarium provides a window into the wonders of the seas off eastern Scotland.

Address: 11 High Shore, Macduff AB44 1QB
Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Ticket prices: £9 adults, £7 children under 16yrs