Sea Life London Aquarium

SEA LIFE Centre London Aquarium, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB, UK
1-99 Years
Paid

Description

Sea Life London Aquarium is a world-renowned indoor attraction and one of the best things to do with kids in London. Located on the historic South Bank inside County Hall, this premier aquarium houses thousands of aquatic creatures across fourteen themed zones. 

Standard online ticket prices start from £27.13 for adults and £24.38 for children, with under-twos going free. Families can explore stunning underwater environments, walk through glass ocean tunnels, and encounter everything from gentle green sea turtles to majestic sharks.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this central London venue combines educational marine conservation with immersive exhibits. Children can marvel at glowing jellyfish and colorful coral reefs while parents enjoy a smooth, fully accessible indoor experience right next to the River Thames.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

  • Immersive Thematic Zones: Fourteen distinct aquatic environments ranging from shallow rockpools to deep ocean trenches.
  • Interactive Touch Pools: Hands-on educational sessions allowing children to touch native sea creatures and learn about marine life.
  • Educational Conservation Hubs: Informative displays highlighting global ocean protection, breeding programs, and rescue efforts.
  • Fully Accessible Indoor Trail: Step-free routes with lifts throughout the building, making it straightforward for families using pushchairs.
  • Daily Feeding Displays: Scheduled public talks and feeding presentations hosted by expert marine biologists.

Top 5 Highlights

  • The Ocean Tunnel: A spectacular walk-through glass corridor where magnificent sharks and sea turtles glide directly overhead and alongside families.
  • Coral Kingdom: The UK's largest living coral reef display, teeming with vibrant clownfish, regal tangs, and hundreds of colorful reef species.
  • Ocean Invaders: A mesmerizing jellyfish zone featuring glowing cylindrical tanks, moody lighting, and interactive displays exploring these fascinating drift animals.
  • Rainforest Adventure: A humid, lush habitat showcasing freshwater stingrays, poison dart frogs, and exotic piranhas.
  • Polar Adventure: An immersive Antarctic experience bringing visitors face-to-face with a colony of lively Gentoo penguins.

Facilities

  • Toilets & Baby Changing: Accessible public restrooms and baby-changing stations located on the main visitor route.
  • Buggy Accessibility: Fully lift-accessible building layout; buggies can be brought through the entire exhibition trail.
  • Food Options: On-site snack points and a wide selection of family-friendly restaurants located immediately outside along the South Bank.
  • Cloakroom & Buggy Park: Secure stroller parking areas available during peak weekend slots.

Pro-Tips for Families

  • Book Online in Advance: Securing tickets ahead of time guarantees entry at your preferred time slot and saves significantly compared to gate prices.
  • Arrive Early or Late: Visiting right when doors open or during late afternoon slots helps avoid peak midday weekend crowds.
  • Allow Two Hours: Set aside roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to comfortably walk through all fourteen zones without rushing little legs.
  • Check the Talk Schedule: Note down daily feeding times upon entry so your children do not miss seeing the penguins and sharks fed by experts.

Targeted FAQ

  • Are dogs or pets allowed inside the aquarium? No pets or animals are permitted inside, with the exception of registered assistance dogs.
  • Can visitors bring their own food and drinks? Cold snacks and baby food can be brought along, though hot food consumption is restricted to designated cafe areas outside the main exhibition trail.
  • Do adults need to book a ticket if accompanying a baby under two? Infants under two enter for free, but they still require a zero-value infant ticket booked in advance.
  • Is re-entry allowed if we leave the aquarium temporarily? Standard tickets permit a single entry, so re-entry is generally not permitted once you exit the turnstiles.
  • Are there bag size restrictions for entry? Large luggage and oversized suitcases are not permitted inside, though standard rucksacks and baby changing bags are welcome subject to routine security checks.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction

  • The London Eye: Iconic observation wheel situated directly outside County Hall.
  • Jubilee Gardens: Riverside green space featuring an open-air children's play area right next to the aquarium.
  • Southbank Centre: Cultural hub hosting family-friendly weekend workshops, street performers, and riverside cafes.
  • The Florence Nightingale Museum: Historic museum located nearby on St Thomas' Street.

What Visitors Love:

  • The breathtaking glass ocean tunnel that lets children walk right underneath large sharks and sea turtles.
  • A convenient central location that pairs easily with other South Bank sights and public transport links.
  • Engaging, hands-on touch pools that keep toddlers and young children thoroughly entertained.

What Visitors Don't Like:

  • Weekend and holiday time slots can feel crowded, leading to slower movement through narrow exhibit tunnels.
  • Pushing a pram through peak afternoon sessions requires patience due to high visitor volumes.

Detailed Inventory of Park Attractions & Events

  • Atlantic Ocean Tank: Deep marine habitat featuring large sharks and rays.
  • Pacific Basin: Multi-level viewing area showcasing shoals of tropical fish.
  • Ray Lagoon: Shallow pool area dedicated to native ray species.
  • Seahorse Kingdom: Specialized display tanks housing delicate seahorses and pipefish.
  • Rockpool Discovery Zone: Interactive touch pools for tactile learning.
  • Jellyfish Discovery Tanks: Multi-tank exhibit featuring bioluminescent moon jellies.
  • Freshwater Stream Ecosystems: Exhibit highlighting native British river life.
  • Submarine Simulator Entrance: Themed gateway introducing visitors to the deep sea journey.
  • Sea Creature Rescue Squad: Seasonal interactive family trail and live challenge events.
  • Gift and Souvenir Emporium: Exit shop offering marine-themed plush toys, books, and sustainable gifts.

New for 2026

  • Expanded Daily Operating Schedule: Extended opening hours running up to 7:00 PM during peak periods to give families more flexibility.
  • Upgraded Virtual Reality Experiences: Enhanced 360-degree underwater VR pods providing hyper-realistic ocean floor dives.
  • Refreshed Conservation Trails: Newly updated interactive mission packs designed to teach younger visitors about plastic pollution and coral reef preservation.
  • Streamlined Digital Ticketing: Upgraded mobile entry gates ensuring faster queue clearance upon arrival.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

  • Standard Ticket: £27.13 per adult & £24.38 per child
  • Anytime Entry: £34.00 per adult & £30.60 per child
  • Standard Entry + VR: £38.00 per adult & £34.20 per child
  • Deluxe Package: £41.00 per adult & £36.90 per child
  • Group Ticket: £29.00 per adult & £26.10 per child
  • Under 2s: Free
  • SEA LIFE + London Eye: £51.63 per adult & £46.38 per child.
  • SEA LIFE + London Eye + Madame Tussauds: £56.00 per adult & £50.31 per child.
  • Standard Entry + VR Experience: £35.00 per adult & £31.50 per child.
  • Deluxe Package: £49.00 per adult & £45.00 per child.
  • SEA LIFE + Shrek’s Adventure: £51.63 per adult & £46.38 per child.
  • SEA LIFE + London Eye + Madame Tussauds + London Dungeon + Shrek’s Adventure: £60.38 per adult & £54.25 per child.
  • SEA LIFE + London Eye + Shrek’s Adventure: £56.00 per adult & £50.31 per child.
  • SEA LIFE + Madame Tussauds: £51.63 per adult & £46.38 per child.

Pricing URL: https://www.visitsealife.com/london/tickets-prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

For private group celebrations, VIP tours, or specialized event bookings, enquiries can be directed through the venue's corporate and group booking portals.

Opening around 9:30 AM or 10 AM and closing around 6 PM or 7 PM. 
You can find the most current information by visiting their website

Address: SEA LIFE Centre London Aquarium, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB, UK

Post Code: SE1 7PB

Council: Lambeth

County: Greater London

  • By Tube : The nearest tube stations to SEA LIFE London are Westminster and Waterloo.
  • By Train : The nearest train station to SEA LIFE is Waterloo. From Waterloo follow the exit signs for the South Bank and walk towards the London Eye. SEA LIFE London Aquarium is in County Hall, next to the London Eye. Charing Cross train station is also near to SEA LIFE London Aquarium. From Charing Cross take the exit next to platform 1 for Hungerford Bridge; go over the bridge and follow signs for Jubilee Gardens. Follow the river front past the London Eye and the Aquarium is on your left.
  • By Bus : For Westminster Bridge Road, take the 12, 53, 59, 76, 148, 159, 211 or 341. For Belvedere Road (just behind the Aquarium, parallel to the South Bank), take the 77 or RV1. For York Road (next to Waterloo and behind the Aquarium) take the 211, 77 or 381.
  • By Foot : SEA LIFE London Aquarium is a 15 minute walk from Trafalgar Square in the centre of London. Just head straight down Northumberland Avenue, across the Golden Jubilee bridge and straight up The Queens Walk to our entrance!  

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