Manchester isn’t that close to the sea and even it was, you’re unlikely to see tropical sea creatures swimming about there. Luckily, for those looking to admire all the underwater creatures, there are a range of aquariums to visit in and around Greater Manchester with some boasting a host of aquatic animals from sharks to sea horses, jellyfish to rays, clownfish to turtles. Without further ado, check out the best aquariums near Manchester where you can marvel at and get up close to sea creatures.
1. SEA LIFE Manchester
One of the closest aquariums to Manchester is SEA LIFE Manchester, located in Trafford Palazzo, where you’ll find the likes of rays, clownfish, rockpool creatures and jellyfish. What sets SEA LIFE Manchester apart from other aquariums is that it offers experiences such as turtle and stingray feeding, snorkelling with sharks and private after-hours access with a guided tour where you can witness sharks at night. SEA LIFE Manchester also host quiet sessions and special events like After-hours with the Mermaids.
📍SEA LIFE Manchester, Trafford Palazzo, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 8AS.
🎟️ Standard adult tickets start from £15.95 when you book in advance here. Multi-attraction tickets and annual passes are also available.
2. Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archives
Named one of the best free museums to visit in the UK, Bolton Museum has a lot going for it, boasting a library and an aquarium, alongside displays of art, Egyptology, archaeology, botany and zoology. Bolton Museum is also one of the only museums in Greater Manchester that boasts an aquarium, making it the perfect spot for family days out, especially on a rainy day. Having first opened its doors to the public on in 1941, it’s now home to more than 70 varieties of fish originating from across the globe.
📍Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive, Le Mans Cres, Bolton, BL1 1SE.
🎟️ Admission is free and you can find more information here.
3. Blue Planet Aquarium
Located close to the Cheshire Oaks Outlet, Blue Planet is around an hour’s drive from Manchester city centre and is home to the longest underwater shark tunnel in the UK. Explore an impressive array of underwater life, featuring 12 different species of shark, majestic rays, an abundance of marine and freshwater fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. And if you’re feeling brave, you can even dive with huge sharks in Blue Planet’s 3.8 million litre tropical tank! Blue Planet also hosts kids birthday parties as well as daily shows and feeds.
📍Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks, Cheshire, CH65 9LF.
🎟️ Standard tickets for those aged 13 or over start from £27.75 here and free entry for toddlers. Annual passes are also available.
4. Matlock Bath Aquarium
Possibly one of the most affordable aquariums, yet one of the furthest from Manchester, is Matlock Bath Aquarium tucked away in a village within the Derbyshire Dales and on the cusp of the Peak District. It is quite the emporium, featuring an aquarium with over 50 species of fish and a beautiful gemstone and fossil display. Visitors can admire The Thermal Pool, once a Victorian swimming pool, but is now home to a Mirror, Common and Koi Carp collection. Matlock Bath Aquarium also boasts one of the largest public displays of holograms in Europe and is the site of the only remaining Petrifying Well in Matlock Bath.
📍Matlock Bath Aquarium, 110 N Parade, Matlock Bath, Matlock, DE4 3NS.
🎟️ Admission costs £6.50 per person and children aged four and under can visit for free. Find out more here.
5. SEA LIFE Blackpool
If you thought one SEA LIFE aquarium in the North West wasn’t enough, there’s a second location in Blackpool, right on the famous promenade. For those wanting to be really immersed with the world under the sea, SEA LIFE Blackpool offers an Undersea Explorer VR experience with five different ocean and sea creature themed experiences, such as ‘Shark Dive’ and ‘Swimming with Humpbacks’. You’ll also find seven aquarium zones to explore including an ocean walk-through tunnel, leafy jungle and rock pools featuring sharks, stingrays, seahorses and thousands of tropical fish.
📍SEA LIFE Blackpool, Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 5AA.
🎟️ Standard adult tickets start from £15 when you book in advance here. Multi-attraction tickets and annual passes are also available.