15 amazing aquariums to visit with your kids
From 'Finding Nemo' clownfish and huge sharks to hands-on interactive rockpools, it's no wonder kids love aquariums.
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Northern England and Yorkshire
1 The Deep, Hull, East Riding
When: all year round
The Deep in Hull is the perfect place to go on a family day trip.
Highlights at the aquarium include a daily dive show, twice-daily penguin feeds and touch pool sessions where you can get hands on with some of the smaller sea life.
2 Blue Reef Aquarium, Tynemouth, Newcastle
When: all year round
Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth offers close encounters with hundreds of incredible creatures - from otters and clownfish to seahorses and stingrays.
Meet the adorable California sea lions at Seal Cove or take part in the entertaining talks and feeding displays.
3 Blue Planet Aquarium, Ellesmere Port, Merseyside
When: all year round
Perfect for kids who love the ocean and the animals that live in it, Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port has everything they could want.
Little ones can encounter crabs, rays and starfish in the Rockpool area and bigger kids can even dive with sharks.
You can watch the Aquashow where the presenter will tell you all about the fascinating creatures you’ll see swimming by.
Scotland
4 Deep Sea World, North Queensferry, Fife
When: all year round
Scotland's National Aquarium. Deep Sea World in Fife, has the UK’s longest underwater viewing tunnel.
If your kids are fascinated with sharks, they'll love that the aquarium has one of Europe’s largest collections of Sand Tiger sharks.
There are also thousands of fish and sea creatures to meet and you can learn more about them in the regular talks and feeding demonstrations.
Wales
5 SeaQuarium, Rhyl, Denbighshire
When: all year round
Situated right on the seafront, SeaQuarium in Rhyl will provide kids with hours of fun while they peer into the tanks to see the fish.
The venue features species from around the world in nine different zones, plus the amazing outdoor Sea Lion Cove where you can meet the delightful harbour seals.
Northern Ireland
6 Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry, County Down
When: all year round
Not only is it an aquarium, but there's also an impressive reptile exhibition at Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry.
See playful otters, rescued seal pups and hundreds of fish on your family day out at the aquarium.
There's also a hands-on discovery pool where aquarium staff give regular presentations. On certain days, divers can be seen feeding some of the fish.
7 Riverwatch Aquarium and Visitor Centre, County Londonderry
When: Monday - Friday all year round
Riverwatch Aquarium in Londonderry has a unique mix of marine and freshwater life for you to discover.
It represent five different habitats and has some amazing and interesting species, including lobsters, starfish and seashores as well as salmon and other freshwater fish.
Southern England
8 SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Westminster, London
When: all year round
Head out to SEA LIFE in London for a fun filled day with your family.
Your kids will love the different aquarium zones including Shark Walk, Ray Lagoon and the Ocean Invaders exhibit which is all about jellyfish.
9 SEA LIFE, Brighton, East Sussex
When: all year round
See rare, rescued and wonderful sea creatures at SEA LIFE in Brighton.
There's an interactive exhibit where you can stroke a crab or sea anemone.
You'll also get up close to the sea life in the unique glass bottom boat where you can watch the fish swim beneath your feet.
10 National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, Devon
When: all year round
Visit Britain's deepest tank, see the huge shark and meet Snorkel the turtle at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.
You can even book an exciting opportunity to sleep with the sharks, where kids can bring their sleeping bags and stay overnight at the aquarium.
11 Oceanarium, Bournemouth, Dorset
When: all year round
Learn all about the ocean and the wonderful animals that live in it at Oceanarium in Bournemouth.
Along with the viewing tanks, talks and feeding demonstrations, there are also experiences you can take which include a VIP penguin feeding.
Eastern England
12 Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary, Norfolk
When: all year round
Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary combines a seal hospital, otter and penguin sanctuaries and an aquarium all in one place.
Little ones can hold a crab or touch a starfish in the Discovery Pools, before watching an exciting feeding demonstration.
For even more fun, take part in the free childrens' quiz trail.
Midlands
13 The National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham, West Midlands
When: all year round
Be transported into the underwater world at The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham.
Kids will love the underwater 360° ocean tunnel where you get amazing views of the sea life.
Along with talks and feeds that happen throughout the day, there is also the chance for little ones to get hands-on at the interactive rockpool.
14 Matlock Bath Aquarium and Hologram Gallery, Matlock, Derbyshire
When: all year round
More than just an aquarium, Matlock Bath Aquarium and Hologram Gallery in Derbyshire offers a unique experience.
Visit the piranhas, terrapins and other fish at the aquarium before peering into the petrifying well and being marvelled by the holograms.
15 Natureland Seal Sanctuary, Skegness, Lincolnshire
When: all year round
Natureland Seal Sanctuary in Skegness is well known for rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured seal pups that become stranded on beaches.
Visitors can see the seals at various stages of their rehabilitation and hear about the rescue work.
Along with seals, there are also lots of other animals from penguins and beautiful tropical fish to meerkats and reptiles.
