Venue Description

Visit The Deep, Hull’s award-winning aquarium and enjoy a fun-filled family day. Journey through prehistoric seas, past tropical lagoons, into vast open oceans, down to dark depths, through the Kingdom of ice and into the future. With over 5,000 animals, including spectacular sharks and rays, the UK’s only Green sawfish, hundreds of tropical reef fish in the Lagoon of Light exhibit, Loggerhead sea turtles and a colony of Gentoo penguins, there's something to entertain all ages. Join us at Discovery Corner for artefact handling sessions. Stop by Endless Oceans where 2.5 million litres of water and 87 tonnes of salt make this home to an array of species. Don’t miss the penguins in the chilly Kingdom of Ice and walk through the amazing glass tunnel before riding in the glass lift through the 10m Endless Oceans exhibit. Located in the heart of the City Centre, The Deep is a five minute walk from the stunning Hull Marina, quirky Museums Quarter, shops, bars and restaurants – an ideal day out for the whole family. Would you like to become a ‘Friend of The Deep’ and support us?  For a donation of £15, £25, £50 or £100 you can #JoinOurShoal with a personalised fish plaque which will be mounted on our supporter’s wall in the reception area and a digital certificate in recognition. It could be a gift for a friend, in memory of a loved one, a family name, or just to show your support - it's up to you!

Accessibility

We are committed to accessibility for all visitors, we are continually updating and adding to our wide range of tools and information to ensure an accessible family day out. Sensory packs are available to borrow from our reception team. These contain ear defenders, crayons, a picture to colour in, a viewfinder, a small sensory toy, a printed social story, some AAC cards, a red/green card, and a map of the attraction. All are popped into a canvas bag, which we ask you to return to reception at the end of your visit. We are pleased to be able to offer complimentary use of the following mobility aids during your visit: electric scooters (3) - please note, these cannot be pre-booked and are available on a first come, first served basis, wheelchairs (7), walking aids (4) - 2 rollators with seats and 2 tri-walkers. Should you need a quiet space during your visit for prayer, breast feeding or any other reason, please just ask a member of staff who can take you to an appropriate quiet area or room. Our accessible entrance is located nearest to the Humber Estuary, close to the accessible parking bays and there is generally a shorter queue at this entrance. This entrance is welcome to anyone who needs to use it. Assistance Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs are welcome at The Deep.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.thedeep.co.uk/plan-your-visit/access-for-all

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://www.accessibilityguides.org/content/deep-1

Accessible Performances

Experience The Deep in a more tranquil environment on our Quiet Days held throughout the year. The audio is turned down for those who find the sounds distracting and the lights will are brighter to make information more clear. Audio, Braille and large print guides are also available free of charge at reception. Timetabled BSL signed presentations and shows are held throughout the day! Tranquil Tuesdays Join us each Tuesday (TERM TIME ONLY) for Tranquil Tuesdays. From 3pm until closing, the lights will be brighter and the audio turned down, creating a tranquil environment for our visitors. This event is perfect for those who prefer to visit a quieter and peaceful environment. Everyone is welcome to attend. Normal admission rates apply and there is no need to book.

Awards List

The Deep was a finalist in the Visit England Inclusive Tourism Award 2017 and has been awarded Gold in the National Enjoy England Awards - Access for All category, 2011, and Silver in the Enjoy England Award in the Access for All Category, 2009.

Toilets

The Deep has a Changing Places facility. Providing anyone with additional needs and their carers with additional space and equipment.. The room includes adjustable bench, hoist, adjustable basin and mirror, centrally placed toilet and a portable privacy screen The Changing Places facility is open to any who need it, not just those visiting The Deep and can be found on the Ground Floor near the lifts. It can be accessed using a radar key, which our reception staff can provide if you don't have your own. There are disabled toilets, with emergency call alarms, available at each level of the building. For visitors who require a larger area for changing, a first aid room is available on request. All disabled toilet facilities at The Deep have wide doors which enable wheel chair and mobility scooter uses access to the facility. There are railings around the toilet with lowered sinks with easy turn taps. The Deep caters for all visitors with large disabled and baby change facilities on all floor throughout the building. For more information on access at The Deep visit www.thedeep.co.uk

Staff

Our crew are on hand throughout the building to assist visitors at anytime.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Assistance Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs are welcome at The Deep. Due to the busy nature of the aquarium, we are not able to allow access for pets. We do not permit leaving dogs in cars.

Other assistance dog facilities

If you need water for your dog at any time please speak to a Crew member. Please note that we care about the welfare of your animal and as such we would like to make you aware that The Deep exhibition is dark in places, and can be noisy and busy with lots of visitors of all ages moving around: If during your visit your dog becomes unsettled at any time and you need to leave an area please speak to the nearest Crew member. If you would prefer to visit during a quieter time, off-peak periods are school term times, and the beginning and end of each day. Please contact us in advance if you would like to check how busy The Deep is likely to be on the day you are planning your visit. Once you are inside the attraction the linear journey through the exhibit means you do not exit the building until the end of your visit. If your assistance dog needs to get outside at any time during your visit please speak to a Crew member and they will accompany you to the nearest exit. You may like to consider a harness, jacket or lead identification for your Assistance Dog or Emotional Support Dog so that they are easily identifiable to other visitors to help them to better understand that you may not want them to interact with, or pet, your dog. The Deep thanks you for making sure that your Assistance Dog or Emotional Support Dog is well trained, vaccinated and in good health on the day of your visit. If they are still in training you may wish to arrange a specific quiet time to visit so that our Crew can give you any additional help you might need to make sure their time on site goes smoothly. In line with The Deep’s Code of Conduct, 'Activities of all those people on or around The Deep buildings and site must be carried out with due consideration for the safety and enjoyment of others. An appropriate standard of behaviour and attitude is therefore required to be able to continue to access The Deep’. In addition it is stated that visitors must not cause any distress to The Deep’s animals. Should The Deep have concerns about your dog’s behaviour or the way in which it is being handled you may be refused entry or be removed from The Deep in line with the Code of Conduct. In addition, should The Deep’s animal specialists have concerns around how our animals are responding to your dog we may ask you to move away from an exhibit or area. If you have any queries at all about your visit in advance please email info@thedeep.co.uk, make contact through social media or call 01482 381000 (option 0) during normal office hours.