National Marine Aquarium (National Marine Aquarium)

Member Name: chrisc92

Product:	National Marine Aquarium
Date:	25/07/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some very good displays particularly the big tank

Disadvantages: It needs a change of display to keep it fresh

I visited Plymouth twice with my 1st wife and the 2nd coincided with the opening of the National Marine Aquarium in 1998.

Whether through choice or luck our visit was a few months after it opened yet the queues were the width of the inclined walkway leading to the ticket desk on the first floor and stretched several yards out the main doors.

It is an imposing building set next to Sutton Harbour and the yacht haven with a moving bridge acting like a lock allowing ships in and out of the harbour and is built into one of the council's many car parks with a covered walkway leading towards the fishing harbour where trawlers still bring in their catch - and minutes away from the Premier Inn (that I've also reviewed).

It's strange but I've taken both my wives and now my partner to the Aquarium and on each occassion they have had some fascinating displays. On one of these occassions it felt like the tropics as we made our way to the 3rd floor for the start of the exhibition with a display designed to show a typical rainforest environment.

Of the many displays very few have changed and the enormous fish tank with giant fish including cod has stayed virtually untouched in 10 years. True there is now an exhibition including deep sea submersable vehicles, but even the giant turtle still swims quite happily around in its tank.

Many zoos and aquarium these days are set to breeding programmes and they keep many endangered species - this is no exception at Plymouth.

My last visit was 31st August 2008 and of all the fish tanks in the building there were 3 that we spent most time - a tank with a number of flat fish, one with the giant turtle and yes you've guessed it the one with the massive tank which we spent nearly an hour watching. For those that know a little about the aquarium you may be aware of the remote controlled shark that is in the tank - however, I cannot recall seeing this at any point. My only disappointment was missing the feeding.

Current prices are £11.00 adults, £6.50 children but there are a range of other tickets available, so it would be well worth looking at their website for prices (link below). In addition to the various tanks, there is also a small play area for younger children next to the cafe and a shop.

I have to confess that despite being extremely popular at the time it opened there were not massive crowds in August - especially when you consider it was still the Summer holidays and should still be its busiest period. To many it is probably a place you visit once and know you've done it.

I have given it a 4* rating as to me the displays are very good, but it is probably a little over priced. However, if you are in the Plymouth area it is certainly a place to spend a few hours.

http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/

Summary: For a spare few hours in the Barbican area of Plymouth it is worth a visit