The National Marine Aquarium (NMA) in Plymouth is the biggest public aquarium in the UK, housing over 4,000 marine animals across four large zones, featuring the UK's deepest tank, and focusing heavily on ocean conservation and education as a charity. It offers extensive marine life, including sharks, rays, turtles, and diverse species from UK waters to the Great Barrier Reef.
Welcome to the National Marine Aquarium, located in Britain's Ocean City – Plymouth. Not only are we the largest Aquarium in the UK, but we are proud to also be the home of the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the Ocean.
You can sometimes just turn up at the National Marine Aquarium (NMA) in Plymouth, but it's highly recommended to pre-book online, as walk-ins are only possible if they haven't reached full capacity, especially during peak times (weekends, holidays, rainy days) when entry is limited and slots fill up quickly. Everyone, even under-3s, needs a booked ticket to guarantee entry and manage visitor numbers, with return visits also needing booking.
How much does it cost to go into Plymouth Aquarium?
Tickets for the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth generally cost £26 for adults, £16 for children (3-15), and £23 for concessions (students/seniors 60+), with under-3s and carers free, but booking online in advance is recommended for all visitors, even those with free or annual passes, as it includes a free annual return.
A Tour of the UK's LARGEST Aquarium! - NMA Plymouth (4000+ Animals!!)
Is the Deep the biggest aquarium in the UK?
The Deep is one of the biggest aquariums in the UK. It is located on the Humber estuary on the outskirts of the city of Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The aquarium is all indoors and it offers a great family- friendly day out plus it's educational.
This Seapora Standard Aquarium is a 40 gallon long show model that has been made with the highest quality materials available. It includes a top and bottom injection molded frame for maximum support, diamond polished edges, and black silicone.
The biggest aquarium in Europe is Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, recognized as the largest in Europe dedicated to marine discovery and protection, boasting massive tanks like the 10,000 cubic meter "Great Bay" and housing tens of thousands of animals, making it a premier European destination for exploring the ocean.
SEA LIFE London Aquarium is the best rainy day activity for you and the little ones. Take the whole family on a peaceful stroll through the 14 unique zones and see a range of jellyfish, sharks, corals and colourful fish. Book in advance to secure your spot.
At Bristol Aquarium, our collection of exhibits is the perfect place to spot different shark species and learn more about their unique characteristics, behaviours, diets and more.
If you're looking for a slice of history with your aquatic day out, then SEA LIFE Brighton is the best aquarium in the UK for you. This packed aquarium just happens to be the oldest in the world, having opened way back in 1872 there's some pretty cool architecture going on to check out too.
There's no single "best" aquarium as it depends on what you want, but top contenders are the National Marine Aquarium (Plymouth) for its size, conservation focus, and UK's deepest tank; The Deep (Hull) for its unique multi-level structure and TripAdvisor rankings; and SEA LIFE London for its central location and variety of themed zones, though some find Sea Life centres smaller.
While we don't have whale sharks here at Bristol Aquarium (you won't find them in any UK aquariums), we will take any excuse to celebrate these beautiful creatures. Did you know: whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea?
"Fish tank syndrome" usually refers to New Tank Syndrome, a problem in new aquariums where a lack of beneficial bacteria leads to toxic ammonia and nitrite buildup from fish waste, harming or killing fish, but it can also mean Old Tank Syndrome, where poor maintenance causes nitrates and poor water chemistry (low pH) to harm fish in established tanks. Both are solved with proper water changes, testing, controlled feeding, and establishing the nitrogen cycle, which involves bacteria converting ammonia to nitrite, then to less harmful nitrate.
If you're serious about fishkeeping, then getting a 100 gallon aquarium is a great idea – it's large enough to accommodate a good number of fish and extras like plants and ornaments, but it won't take up too much room in your home and can probably sit comfortably in most rooms.
Landen 60H 30 Gallon Rimless Low Iron Aquarium Tank, 23.6" W × 17.7" D × 17.7" H (60cm x 45cm x 45cm) 8mm Thickness with Black Nano Foam Leveling mat Included.
The most visited aquarium in the world with 12 million visitors a year is Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and the aquarium also holds the record for the largest aquarium tank by volume in the world.
Flamboyant cuttlefish. A flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) displays vivid colors while moving across the reef in Anilao, Philippines (credit: Getty Images) ...
Did you know? Brighton Aquarium was conceived and designed by Eugenius Birch, the architect responsible for the West Pier. Work began in 1869 and the aquarium opened in 1872 making us the oldest continually operating aquarium in the world!
Luckily for us here in the UK, sharks aren't really something we have to fear. Sure, we do have some sharks in our waters, but none of them pose much of a threat to humans. The likes of bull sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks and the ultimate apex predator, the great white, are rarely if ever spotted on these shores.
The River Hull was a good haven for shipping, whose trade included the export of wool from Meaux Abbey, which owned Myton. In 1293, the town of Wyke was acquired from the abbey by King Edward I, who, on 1 April 1299, granted it a royal charter that renamed the settlement King's town upon Hull or Kingston upon Hull.
