13 reasons to visit the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
You needn’t wait for a day where it’s pouring with rain to visit the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. However, as the weather was apocalyptically wet on our first day in Devon, I don’t think we could have chosen a better venue for our day out.
review visit*
Just under an hour’s drive from our AirBNB base in Topsham, we weren’t the only people who’d picked it for a soggy Monday in half-term – I later realised that if you’re booking online in advance, you can get fast track entry (and free return visits as part of the priority pass for a few pounds more). This is worth doing!
Because rain, shine, queue or quiet, I’ve got 13 excellent reasons to visit the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.
1. The sheer size
It’s the largest public aquarium in the UK, with around 300,000 visitors per year. Despite that and the holiday queue, once you were inside the aquarium rarely seemed busy as there’s simply so much to see. I still like the fast track option though.
2. It has the deepest tank in the UK
The Atlantic Ocean exhibit has more than two million litres of water, several types of shark and the only whitespotted eagle rays in Europe – and a tunnel to peer at them through.
3. The staff
The staff at the National Marine Aquarium don’t just know their stuff, they know what kids want to hear – tales of lobsters which wee out of their eyes to say hello (well, from just under their eyes at least. I shall never look at a lobster the same way again).
Or there was the talk outside Miss Squishy’s tank – aka the giant Pacific Octopus, rather aptly named by toddlers – hearing about the sneaky tricks these intelligent cephalopods get up to.
4. You can find Dory
And Dory’s family. Quite a lot of regal blue tangs in fact, plus there’s a clownfish tank to go Nemo hunting, if you need more reasons to visit the National Marine Aquarium with kids.
5. It’s hands on
There are plenty of interactive exhibits as you walk around the aquarium – boards to spin, flaps to lift, quizzes to take, even a floor that reacted if you stood or lay on it.
I’ve been trying to persuade Minnie that sharks aren’t as scary as their reputation (because they aren’t). She’s now gleefully retained the fact that coconuts are more lethal than sharks, and we have now added unexpectedly murderous vending machines to our list.
6. You can travel around the world
And all without leaving Plymouth. While I love seeing the exotic inhabitants of an aquarium, I also love it when places have a strong link to their actual location.
Here you can peer out to the real Plymouth Sound while exploring tanks and a rock pool featuring the inhabitants also living on the doorstep, including local sharks and rays plus Penny the lobster for those unexpected facts.
7. You’ll always find something new to see
With over 4,000 marine creatures and almost 400 different species, they range from corals, seahorses and tiny fish to eels, Eagle rays and Sand Tiger sharks.
I’m always a fan of the jellyfish and here there were upside down jellyfish and a rather fabulous blue spotted version to gaze at.
8. They’re autism-friendly
The National Marine Aquarium runs special events called ‘Quiet at the Aquarium’ aimed at visitors with autisim or other sensory needs, cutting the usual daytime noise and bustle to let people experience the marine life who might not otherwise be able to visit.
9. You can sleep with sharks
Not an upgraded mafia reference but one of the special adventures events which take place during the year, aimed at children over five and named ‘one of the top three museum sleepovers in the world’.
There are also toddler events on Tuesdays in term time, with the whole aquarium buggy accessible.
10. You can nip out for award-winning fish and chips
Although there’s a café in the aquarium, you’re only a short walk from the historic Barbican and its many places to eat (plus the very helpful ladies in tourist information directed us to somewhere open in October that sold ice cream. It’s never too cold for my daughter).
We were guests of Harbourside fish and chips which has some very fine battered haddock indeed, a kids’ menu and a seafood platter that I regretted not having a second stomach for.
11. There are activities throughout
We kept stumbling across colouring and crafts, got a mini story to teach about conservation, and as a half-term bonus, Minnie was given a ‘sea-renity sketchbook’ to draw as she went around.
That was such a hit that I wondered why I hadn’t thought of doing it before.
12. There’s more to do at home
You can also find extra downloads and colouring to print off the website – if you’re either more organised than I am, or want a bonus activity to do before or after your visit.
Check out the kids’ downloads here.
13. It’s fantastic for conservation
The whole aquarium aims to raise awareness of marine conservation issues – they have previously focused on the damage caused by microbeads and plastic bags, two pollutants which are now being tackled under new laws.
Need to know: The National Marine Aquarium with kids
Tickets cost from £22.50 for adults and £12.50 for children aged three to 15. If you buy any of the tickets online, you automatically qualify for fast track entry.
Tickets also give you a year’s free entry – prebooking is advised.
There are talks throughout the day as well as crafts at weekends, and special events during school holidays. The aquarium is open from 10am to 5pm, with last admissions at 4pm and you can go out and re-enter on the same day.
There’s parking in the Harbour Car Park – you can pay by phone.
For more things to do in Plymouth with kids, check out my top picks
PIN FOR LATER: REASONS TO VISIT THE NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM WITH KIDS
Disclosure: Our visit and lunch were courtesy of Visit Devon and the National Marine Aquarium. All opinions and minor obsession with aquariums (aquaria?) are our own.
Images copyright MummyTravels
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You can’t go wrong with taking the kids to the aquarium – especially on a rainy day. This one looks like a really fun and interactive one. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely, she’d happily go every day, rain or shine.
I had no idea that the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth was the largest aquarium in the UK. I need to visit though even if it is just to find out more about these lobsters which wee from their eyes:)
I think that’s a pretty good motivator! And the aquarium doesn’t seem to be as well-known as some of the others, although it’s fantastic so definitely worth visiting.
Whenever I see someone post about an aquarium I’m always in awe at the beauty of the aquarium and fish and all the interactive things you can do, yet we never ever go to an aquarium whenever we travel. I guess I just went to the one’s in San Diego too much as a child. #CityTripping
It’s funny, I rarely went to them before my daughter came along (and now we go all the time) but would definitely have zoos on my list if we visited a city – am rather enjoying all our visits and how much there is to discover.
You can’t beat an aquarium with kids. #citytripping
Absolutely.
I love the interactive exhibits and activities for kids! How nice of them to even cater specially for visitors with autism. The sleepover reminds me of something the aquarium in Singapore has from time to time to! I can’t wait for my boys to be old enough to join in the sleepover at the aquarium here. #CityTripping
Isn’t it a great thought to make it accessible – and I’ve come across a few sleepovers like this, they always sound such fun.
Lobsters wee out of their eyes?? Astonishing. I like the sound of the sleeping with sharks events. I bet that’s mega-exciting, with or without sharks. #citytripping
I know – that was quite an unexpected fact!
Wow! I am totally sold. Looks incredible – educational and fun! Love the lobster fact. I’d be fast tracking it all the way. #citytripping
I know – love finding out extra bits of marine trivia like that!
Wow what a place and I love all the little factoids too. Our baby is just discovering fishes and I think he’d quite like a good aquarium. I might have to take him to sea life!
I think they’re so great for kids – it’s quite calming, you’ve got all kinds of colours and you can get pretty close as well (plus it’s good in winter) so quite a lovely sensory experience for babies as well.
Looks like an amazing aquarium! Used to love taking my daughter to aquariums too – always a great day out! The one in Cape Town sticks in my mind – you could add it to ones to visit if you haven’t been 🙂
I shall – I love Cape Town but haven’t been with my daughter (yet) so any excuse!
This sounds like an awesome aquarium. I love that they have quiet days to allow those that might becoming overwhelmed with all the chaos. I love that all children seem to get excited over Nemo and Dory. Nemo seems to be a common theme for children in aquariums all around the world. #citytripping
I thought that was a lovely idea – and the films are a lovely way to get kids interested (not that my daughter needs much encouragement)
I had no idea that the National Marine Aquarium was in Plymouth it sounds like a great place to spend a day rainy or not.
citytripping
It doesn’t quite seem to get the profile of some of the others, but definitely a great place to spend a day.
helpful staff makes all the difference when you’re out with kids. It sounds fantastic #citrytripping
Definitely – really helps engage them as well.
Sleeping with sharks? Sounds great. My whole family is obsessed with sharks and my daughter asked the other day what the movie Jaws is like – I told her she’s not watching it for many years to come! #citytripping
Doesn’t it! Fortunately my daughter hasn’t come across Jaws yet (although she knows the music is scary) but she’s already wary enough of sharks from Octonauts and Finding Nemo, so I think we might give that a miss…
Aquariums are great aren’t they? I quite like the idea of sleeping with the sharks – what a novel idea #citytripping
I know – I’d love to try that. I can’t help thinking it would be really relaxing to sleep in an aquarium too.
Oh how we love aquariums =) And Especially, Jellyfish! It’s just so therapeutic watching them bob. My son just performed his year end concert today and coincidentally, he was a jellyfish! #citytripping
They are fantastic, and I always find the jellyfish really mesmerising.
Marine aquariums are a must visit for every child, and adult. Lovely to hear that Minnie enjoyed her visit.
Definitely – she always loves an aquarium.