4.5
Fascinating and Educational Aquarium Experience
We visited this aquarium with our primary school aged granddaughter. It is very impressive. The ground floor has 'rooms' of smaller exhibits, divided into different areas. There was some seating but not in all areas. Things are clearly labelled and there are steps to viewing platforms. All the tanks are glass so there is no need to mount the steps to see the fish, tree frogs and other exhibits. There is a large shop, though it has a very limited range of expensive stock and not much in the way of pocket money toys. Things like pencils, rulers, badges and sticker books would have suited tighter budgets. (£20 for a stuffed toy is a bit OTT). Through the shop was an excellent ice cream stand (the ice cream was delicious and very welcome on a hot day. There is also a very good playground out there, which can be accessed via steps with handrail, or a grassy ramp. However there were no benches up there where I could sit and watch the child play, so my husband had to go up to watch her.
Downstairs is where the main aquarium is. We went down by one of the lifts (the other is being replaced), though unfortunately I had to return via the stairs as there was an emergency procedure after the fire alarm went off.
There are further exhibits down there (I loved the Crystal Cove) before entering the main attraction: two curved tunnels take the visitor through the huge main tank, so you can see the fish really well. My favourites were the sharks and the rays. Mysterious music plays to create a relaxing atmosphere.
The cafe is also downstairs. The menu is pretty basic. If I were going with a family I would take a picnic and eat outside. However we did have a drink and a cookie in the cafe and our grandchild loved the portholes looking into the aquarium.
There were a few of those paid amusement machines scattered around, and some painted boards for a face to go through, which added to the fun, but in the case of the machines, to the cost as well. We enjoyed watching the fish being fed in the 'show' which is mostly the divers showing off but also includes information about the fish. The divers were excellent, and good sports.
All in all this is a fun day out. The overhead costs are high which is reflected in the price. However, what helped us is that one carer gets a free entry on production of proof, which saved us £25. The parking charge is a flat fee for all.
I would recommend this place, with a few small reservations ( see access)
We visited this aquarium with our primary school aged granddaughter. It is very impressive. The ground floor has 'rooms' of smaller exhibits, divided into different areas. There was some seating but not in all areas. Things are clearly labelled and there are steps to viewing platforms. All the tanks are glass so there is no need to mount the steps to see the fish, tree frogs and other exhibits. There is a large shop, though it has a very limited range of expensive stock and not much in the way of pocket money toys. Things like pencils, rulers, badges and sticker books would have suited tighter budgets. (£20 for a stuffed toy is a bit OTT). Through the shop was an excellent ice cream stand (the ice cream was delicious and very welcome on a hot day. There is also a very good playground out there, which can be accessed via steps with handrail, or a grassy ramp. However there were no benches up there where I could sit and watch the child play, so my husband had to go up to watch her.
Downstairs is where the main aquarium is. We went down by one of the lifts (the other is being replaced), though unfortunately I had to return via the stairs as there was an emergency procedure after the fire alarm went off.
There are further exhibits down there (I loved the Crystal Cove) before entering the main attraction: two curved tunnels take the visitor through the huge main tank, so you can see the fish really well. My favourites were the sharks and the rays. Mysterious music plays to create a relaxing atmosphere.
The cafe is also downstairs. The menu is pretty basic. If I were going with a family I would take a picnic and eat outside. However we did have a drink and a cookie in the cafe and our grandchild loved the portholes looking into the aquarium.
There were a few of those paid amusement machines scattered around, and some painted boards for a face to go through, which added to the fun, but in the case of the machines, to the cost as well. We enjoyed watching the fish being fed in the 'show' which is mostly the divers showing off but also includes information about the fish. The divers were excellent, and good sports.
All in all this is a fun day out. The overhead costs are high which is reflected in the price. However, what helped us is that one carer gets a free entry on production of proof, which saved us £25. The parking charge is a flat fee for all.
I would recommend this place, with a few small reservations ( see access)
