Overview

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)

Transport & Parking

Large car park with disabled spaces, but these were quite a long walk to the door, albeit closer than the rest of the car park.

Access

Entry completely step free. All the exhibits on the ground floor were level except for the gently sloping bridge to enter them. There was a lift to go down to the tunnels through the aquarium and cafe area, but unfortunately the fire alarm went off so I had to exit via the stairs. This was made more difficult for me by the fact the handrails were not continued along the landings, so I needed my walker to access the next and last flights, which made it take longer. A boy in a wheelchair had to be bumped up the stairs! We couldn't hear the fire announcement in the cafe but the staff advised us we had to get out. The travellator in the glass tunnels wasn't working at all during our visit and would have been a big help. There are seats but some are more suitable for children and the picnic benches used outside are not really suitable for disabled people. There was plenty of space for a wheelchair even in the tunnels. They have wheelchairs to borrow but these are not self propel. As a disabled person, if you want to watch the show where divers feed the inhabitants of the huge aquarium tank, at the moment you have to get to the level seating downstairs. The tiered seating has low level light and would be impossible for a disabled person. It is possible to watch in a wheelchair from the upper platform on the other side of the glass barrier, but there are currently no chairs there. A staff member brought me a chair from a nearby classroom, but it would be good to have some seating there permanently. There is an excellent view from there and plenty of space for some seating, even if just one row, plus gaps for wheelchairs so families can sit together.

Toilets

There is an accessible loo on the ground floor in the large entrance hall. I was surprised that such a family orientated place did not have a changing places toilet, that I was aware of. The accessible toilet on the lower floor was out of order and there is no larger stall in the Ladies so I couldn't shut the stall door. Considering the cafe is on this level, it was disappointing.

Staff

The staff were, without question, absolutely brilliant.

Photos