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Sea Life Centre London Aquarium Review

If you think of visiting London you probably don’t immediately think fish, unless they are in batter, but London does have a world-class aquarium right on the banks of the iconic River Thames. We took the kids along to The Sea Life Centre London Aquarium to test it out and create this review.

London Aquarium review. Sea Life London Family Travel BlogLondon aquarium review World Travel Family

At the time of writing The Sea Life Centre Aquarium is closed due to the 2020 crisis. According to their website, here, they will be opening shortly. Please check current status for yourself.

The London Aquarium Sea Life Centre

London Aquarium review blog family travel

London Aquarium was a favourite of ours when we lived in London with small children and, when they were teens and tweens, we got a chance to go back and check out the changes that have taken place over the last seven years.

So does London Aquarium still cut it? Our London Aquarium review and blog.

The Aquarium is correctly known as Sea Life London Aquarium, part of the chain of Sea Life centres and one of the biggest aquatic collections in Europe. The Aquarium has over 500 species of fish and over 2 million litres of water, sitting, unexpectedly, beneath the historic and beautiful County Hall building. It’s next door to the awesome London Eye ( review post here) and almost directly opposite The Houses of Parliament.

Big things seem to be favourite with my kids and the aquarium has plenty of those, big tanks, big rays, big sharks and big crabs.  Not all of the 40+ sharks are big, but some are monsters.

The way the fish are displayed is imaginative and exciting, the kids loved walking on glass over the tanks and lying on their backs in glass bubbles to look up at the elasmobranchs. Well thought out tank structures, a whale skeleton and submerged Easter Island Moai, were also a hit with the kids, and me, truth be told. I’m a sucker for fish.

London aquarium shark tank review
Home to the sharks!

The aquarium has a couple of small touch pools, I’ll be honest, I’ve seen better, but not everyone has seen as many global aquariums as we have ( Kuala Lumpur, SEA Aquarium Singapore, Perth, Chiang Mai, Sydney and more) , any touch pool is a great touch pool with most kids.

London aquarium review world travel family blog
Touch pools at London Aquarium

The aquarium now houses a large family of penguins, part of the Arctic Ice Adventure collection, my boys had great fun naming them. Matt Smith and David Tennant were busy rock hopping and diving, Amy Pond was looking a bit sullen.

My personal favourite parts were the British coastal species and river fish. I’ve been in the tropics too long, it was great to see some old friends from childhood fishing days.

sharkfin soup 550

London’s aquarium is a great educational resource, particularly in conservation issues. They’re big fans of sharks at the centre, so are we. I’d like to see these mis-understood creatures grow a bigger fan base and for the slaughter to stop. Yes, I’m pointing at you Australia, it’s not just the finning industry.

We think the London aquarium is great and it stands up well against the global competition. We’re recommending it highly for your trip to London. Back to our mail London Family Travel Blog page. Back to our main UK Travel Blog page. We’ve spent a lot of time in London, both the kids were born there and we visit every year. London is one of our very favourite global cities. Look out for more London content, revues and features on the blog.

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Emma @ Life. By Emma

Saturday 13th of September 2014

We were there three days ago. Got a two for the price of one entry off the side of a Kelloggs cereal box which made it affordable but full price would have stung! Great aquarium though, my two year old loved it and is constantly talking about it.

Bente Vold Klausen

Monday 4th of August 2014

Good travel tip for London, will certainly check this out next time in London.

Charles McCool

Monday 4th of August 2014

I certainly would not think of an aquarium visit when I go to London. Interesting activity, though.

Cacinda Maloney

Friday 1st of August 2014

I am just the opposite of reader Sophie Bowns, I love, love, love aquariums!! thanks for the wonderful photographs!

Sophie Bowns

Friday 1st of August 2014

I have to admit to not being a huge fan of aquariums. If I'm in London (which is only once every 3 ish years) I'd rather go to a museum, shopping or to the theatre!