Fun Day Out at The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth

We really are spoilt for choice for fun days out in Devon, whether you are looking for some free fun or a jam-packed day out there really is something for everyone. 

The National Marine Aquarium 

A few weekends ago we visited the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. It's the UK's largest aquarium attraction and a great day out! 

As an added bonus if you pay once you can visit again free for a whole year! That makes it great value for money if you are local. 

We had a guided tour of the aquarium which the kiddies loved! 
They have different zones throughout the aquarium including...

• Plymouth Sound
• Eddystone Reef 
• Ocean Drifters 
• Atlantic Ocean 
• The Biozone 
• Great Barrier Reef

As well as being a fun day out the aquarium is also a marine charity. 

'The National Marine Aquarium is the charity dedicated to raising awareness of the oceans, the challenges they face and the ways in which we can all help ensure they have a sustainable future. With this in mind, our mission statement is to drive marine conservation through engagement and we do this through visitor interaction, teaching more than 30,000 school children and running conservation projects here in the UK and abroad'.

You could easily spend an entire day there as there's so much to see. They have a cafe (with amazing views) on site or alternatively, you can pack a picnic and use their dedicated outside picnic area (if the weather is nice). 

The boy loved walking under the sharks! He just couldn't get his head around how we were underneath them and kept ducking every time they swam over us. 

We had a really lovely day out and would definitely recommend the aquarium if you are looking for a fun indoor day out in Devon. 

Useful Information  

Opening Hours

Aquarium

Open Daily 10:00–17:00
Latest Admissions: 4pm

How to Get There

National Marine Aquarium
Rope Walk
Coxside
Plymouth
PL4 0LF
United Kingdom

To find out more about The National Marine Aquarium visit their website. 

National Marine Aquarium (Plymouth) Membership Offer

Recently while on our half term holiday on the boat we went to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. We have never been before and I was worried that it was going to cost a fortune, as most places seem to these days, and then we saw there membership offer. 

How much it costs...

Family Membership £45.00

(2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children)

Couple Membership £40.00

Adult membership £25.00 

Child Membership £10.00

(aged 4 - 15) 

What's included...

• Unlimited access to the building and facilities for 12 months
• Fast track entry through a dedicated membership entrance
• 10% off all food, drink, gifts, parties and sleepovers
• Discounted admission for family and friends
• Subscription to our e-newsletters
• Admission to special Member Only events
• Individual membership card/s
• Discounts for other attractions in Devon and Cornwall (contact the membership coordinator for specific details)

As our youngest is only two and therefore free, we only payed £35.00 for the year which I think is a fantastic price! It's a great aquarium with plenty to see and I'm looking forward to going back again.

We use Queens Anne Battery marina a lot when we go sailing which is right next to the aquarium so it's perfect for us. Even if we didn't go around the actual aquarium we can go upstairs and use the soft play area in the cafe, so the kiddies can release a bit of energy before getting back on the boat.

You can go back as often as you like so if you were shopping in Plymouth you could go in for a bit after, a good bribe for the kiddies to behave whilst going round the shops.

*Disclaimer - I haven't been paid to write this review we just went and thought it was a fantastic deal and I thought I'd share it *