🐠National Marine Aquarium

Travel tips

• Book tickets online in advance

  Purchase tickets online before visiting to skip queues and often secure discounts, especially useful with younger children who get restless waiting.

• Plan around feeding times and talks

  Check the daily schedule for diver-led feeding demonstrations and talks – these are highlights that engage children and worth timing your visit around.

• The touch pool needs planning

  Touch pool sessions have limited capacity and set times. Arrive early or check schedules to avoid disappointment – toddlers especially love handling starfish and crabs.

• Buggies are welcome throughout

  The aquarium is fully pushchair-friendly with lifts and ramps, making it manageable for families with babies and toddlers without constant carrying.

• Baby changing facilities available

  Baby-changing areas are provided, so you won't need to hunt elsewhere. Useful for nappy changes between exhibits.

• Children under 3 get discounted entry

  If your child is under 3, you'll benefit from reduced tickets, making it good value for families with very young children.

• Soft play for little ones

  There's an indoor soft-play area – useful if younger children need a break from standing or get overwhelmed by crowds.

• Café serves family meals

  On-site café offers family-friendly food, so you don't need to leave for lunch. Worth packing snacks too if you want lighter options.

• It's entirely indoors

  Perfect rainy-day option – the whole aquarium is indoors, so bad weather won't disrupt your visit.

• Allow time for the Ocean Deep tank

  The massive shark tank with giant turtles and rays is a highlight – budget extra time here as children often want to linger.

• Explore the Eddystone Reef exhibit

  The Eddystone Reef is worth spending time on – it's an engaging exhibit that appeals to curious children of various ages.

• Lifts throughout make navigation easier

  With lifts and ramps available, moving between levels with a pushchair or when carrying a tired toddler is straightforward.

• Gift shop at the end may tempt

  There's a gift shop on site – set expectations with older children beforehand or budget for a small souvenir to avoid meltdowns.

• Over 4,000 creatures to discover

  With so many exhibits, you won't see everything in one visit – pick key areas in advance so children don't get overwhelmed.

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