One of the most favored tourist areas in London is on the South Bank right across
from Big Ben and Westminster Bridge. This is where you will find the London Eye and the London Dungeon. We braved the masses last week to visit another attraction in the area, the Sea Life London Aquarium.
We've visited a few large new built aquariums in coastal cities in the past, but this aquarium was quite different. It's located in the lower floors of the historical County Hall Building on the banks of the Thames. It's a lovely area, but the building felt a bit claustrophobic and the interiors are a somewhat tired.
Even with the long queue to enter and the ticket price of £23.70 (try to find a coupon or voucher) the aquarium was jam packed. It was sometimes difficult to get near the tanks because of the crowds. Luckily, the larger tanks have several viewing areas, so if you keep following the path around, your likely to find another vantage point.
We went on a Sunday and it felt like for every adult there were six children and three strollers. So, it's probably better to visit during the week. All of the kids were having a great time, very engaged and excited. There was face painting, photo opportunities, sweet treats and plenty of educational material.
We went on a Sunday and it felt like for every adult there were six children and three strollers. So, it's probably better to visit during the week. All of the kids were having a great time, very engaged and excited. There was face painting, photo opportunities, sweet treats and plenty of educational material.
The highlight for us was the large shark tank.
We could just sit and watch the sharks and rays gliding by for hours.
Matthew is a huge fan of penguins (Everybody loves Penguins!) we have even sponsored some in the wild. But the penguin exhibit was not great. I had to leave the room. The enclosure is so small and unnatural. I realize that opens up a whole other debate about any animals in captivity, but I just wasn't comfortable seeing how the penguins were living.
We could just sit and watch the sharks and rays gliding by for hours.
Matthew is a huge fan of penguins (Everybody loves Penguins!) we have even sponsored some in the wild. But the penguin exhibit was not great. I had to leave the room. The enclosure is so small and unnatural. I realize that opens up a whole other debate about any animals in captivity, but I just wasn't comfortable seeing how the penguins were living.
Even though we weren't really blown away, we did appreciate the opportunity to visit.
The staff was very friendly and good with the guests, especially the children.
I would probably visit again if I had some little ones to entertain,
but only with discounted tickets and on a much less crowded day.
The staff was very friendly and good with the guests, especially the children.
I would probably visit again if I had some little ones to entertain,
but only with discounted tickets and on a much less crowded day.
Have you been to the Sea Life London Aquarium? What did you think?
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*I received two complimentary tickets to Sea Life London Aquarium for the purposes of review.
All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
You can find this review and many others in my
London Attraction Guide.
*I received two complimentary tickets to Sea Life London Aquarium for the purposes of review.
All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
You can find this review and many others in my
London Attraction Guide.
Beautiful photos Selena - I know what you mean about how busy it gets - I've been on a midwinter weekday and it's much nicer.
ReplyDeleteReally pretty photos! We went to Sea Life Paris and we were underwhelmed as well. We didn't have a crowd to fight, and the staff was really friendly- but it was just 'tired' as you say. This was in a shopping mall lower level and had the feeling of a hokey seafood restaurant. We are HUGE aquarium junkies (my boys are obsessed) and go to at least one in every country we've visited. I'm really sorry to hear that this one sounds similar to the Paris one. Maybe they'll see your post and think about updating ;) ? Thanks for saving us a trip next summer. Time is short and with so much to see in London, we have no time to waste.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your honesty in your reviews. I get irritated when bloggers (especially travel bloggers) NEVER express the cons in their experiences. I realize that we are blessed to have these opportunities and should appreciate them, but it's okay to say negative things because it isn't rainbows a butterflies all the time. So again, thank you for your honesty :)
ReplyDeleteDitto what Debbie said. It's refreshing to see a candid review! We have avoided the aquarium for the reasons you stated. We don't do well with big crowds. I will add that this attraction is included on the Merlin pass. If you have children, this season pass is a great option...it includes the London Eye, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park and more. We have bought this pass for the past 2 years and gotten every pence out of it. Now we have let it expire until we find out what the future (move?) holds for us here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos. We haven't been yet but it's on the list. I don't know why they have penguins there, I don't think anyone would expect to see them and I would feel very uncomfortable seeing them in a small enclosure. I hope they re-think that.
ReplyDeleteHow much? - That seems very expensive (to me). Definitely not on my list of places to visit when I'm next in London - I'll stick to the museums - unless you get a free penguin(?). Great photos, Selena :-)
ReplyDeleteSuper great photos and great honesty. :)
ReplyDeleteI went recently with my sister and our boys. I know what you mean about the penguins, but some species need very cold temperatures to be comfortable which could be why they're enclosed there. (I learnt this at SeaWorld Orlando!)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! It can get packed with school trips and also during school holidays.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shobha. It was so busy on the weekend that we went. I'm sure there are better times to go.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to Sea World in Orlando. There is one in San Antonio, Texas that I highly recommend. They were in a room with snow so I'm sure it's a climate control thing. It just seemed so small. I bet your boys loved it. All the the kids seemed to be having a great time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erin :D I was a bit worried about that honesty.
ReplyDeleteYea, almost £24, but there is always a coupon or combo ticket deal to take advantage of. Everybody loves penguins!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks so much :D The penguin exhibit was a bit distressing. I'm sure they do everything they can to make them happy and comfortable. It's just seemed so small and no natural light at all. There is a new outdoors penguin exhibit at the London Zoo that we really enjoyed although it was a different breed. Thanks for reading & commenting!
ReplyDeleteHi Tanya! I was a bit worried about the review. But I've always promised to be honest. I tried to give objective reasons for my opinions and then the reader can decide. That's a great tip about the Merlin pass! Someone was telling me about Thorpe Park this weekend. Might have to try it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Debbie. I try to be objective and respectful, but I have to be honest. lol at "rainbows and butterlies" That would be great, but not reality. Thanks so much for your comment. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Farrah. I haven't read any reviews of the one in Paris, but sounds similar. How long will you be in London next summer? There is so much to do in London! There is a pretty good penguin exhibit at the London Zoo.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Emma. I need to go back mid week. I'm also wanting to take the camera to the V&A. Perfect things to do when it starts to get colder & darker.
ReplyDelete