Bristol Aquarium
Bristol Aquarium
3.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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- Craig Murray2 contributionsGreat for younger childrenAfter mixed reviews, we decided to head here for a rainy day at Christmas. Although some of the less positive reviews are true, here is my review, based on a two year old and 4 month old twins spending a couple hours on site... The variety of sections, tanks is pretty good, and although the volume and type of fish can be questioned (i.e who wants to see Plaice, Coley and Pollock), there are some pretty cool species. This includes the Unicorn thing, several rays, sharks, "Finding Nemo friends" and various Tangs and Dragon Fish species (allllllll very appealing to a toddler). For my son, there were a few photo opportunities, through cut outs, and talks whilst feeding the animals which he enjoyed, although he was happy to move on to the next section after a few minutes. He particularly liked the outdoor sections (under canopy), where the turtles, rays, catfish and other tropical river fish were based, as it had curly pathways and dinosaur figures. Yes, you could move through the Aquarium in 30 minutes, but that would be bad parenting. The whole point of the aquarium is to educate and have fun with your kids, talking about the fish and films relevant (like Tiddler), and enjoy the day. Take note of the talks and time it well. The cafe is pretty gross, and the toilets need urgent improvement, but it's no different to a softplay or kids area. Under 3/4s are free, and therefore paying for an adult is not too expensive, if you compare it to other leisure activities. Overall, this is a great couple hours to spend with younger kids, but perhaps not something if you are an animal expert of family with older kids. Parking is super expensive - be aware.Visited December 2022Written 6 January 2023
- Sam NBristol, United Kingdom10 contributionsGreat aquarium, shame about cafe and gift shopA thoroughly lovely aquarium, a really nice size for young children and lots of education about conservation issues as you go round, which is a nice bonus. I won’t be going in the cafe next time though as it was £8 for a burnt panini and the only option for children was a lunch box of bits when mine would only want a sandwich (not an option). The gift shop is also full of flimsy plastic bits, which seems odd given all the messaging about the harm of plastic to ocean life as you go around!Visited February 2023Travelled with familyWritten 27 February 2023
- Robert S5 contributionsWould recommend when quiteMe and partner really enjoyed this experience. Went in the summer but before kids out of school. Was still busy but quite quite enough to enjoy ourselves. I can see it being an issue if it’s packed as there’s no s lot space so best to go when quite if you can (in my option). It seems overpriced for what you get; nevertheless I enjoyed the top tanks being able to view all the different marine life swimming around. I wouldn’t go again but I think it’s worth a visit when it’s quiet. We followed this with food outside in the restaurant next door and ice cream along the harbour. Good to keep in mind it’s not a full day out. If you’re got kids that like to be on the move your be round the whole thing in 10 minutes. We followed the website recommendation. Try spend at least 60 seconds at each display and actually observe and pay attention to what you’re looking at. If you do this for each thing as you go along you’ll be in there for a couple of hours. They have toilets along the way.Visited May 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 9 May 2023
- Andrew DGloucester, United Kingdom91 contributionsFeeding times were fun to watch and it was great at times to sit and relax just watching the fish swimming about.We were able to go round twice on the membership ticket we had. Our daughter loved it and we enjoyed seeing all the aquatic animals. Feeding times were fun to watch and it was great at times to sit and relax just watching the fish swimming about.Visited April 2023Written 25 May 2023
- tasgardHobart, Australia255 contributionsEducational entertainmentThe Aquarium is focused on the youngsters. Notwithstanding it is an enjoyable experience for people of all ages. Bristol Aquarium has much in common with other aquariums but adds that bit of extra excitement for the youngsters with model dinosaurs lurking in the giant Botanical house which forms part of the complex. Patrons are able to watch, and in some cases participate in the feeding of the marine exhibits. Signs are set up outside each of the many separate locations such as the Amazon zone. The signs advise of feeding times where a staff member will feed the creatures and answer questions from the public about the animas being fed. The big tanks and the viewing tunnel are on the lower levels as are the café and shop. The well laid out and clearly signed pathway slowly winds up through the higher levels where one is able to look down into the lower tanks. The pathway leads upwards for a while through the jungle, big model dinosaurs and all, and slowly descends towards the eventual exit at the shop level. The entry price is £19.75 for adults with children’s, groups and seniors tickets cheaper. The complex is a little tired in sections but overall, it is not bad for an hour or so’s walk in a warm environment whilst being educated and entertained.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 July 2023
- samanthaLas Vegas, Nevada4 contributionsBristol Aquarium - definitely recommend!I visited Bristol Aquarium last month and it was definitely a experience to remember! I loved it and would definitely recommend to anyone who is in Bristol. Shop was quite pricey but I understand. I loved the experience and would definitely recommend it’s very worth it! Also lots of places to eat near the aquarium. I loved seeing all the different types of fish and loved how pretty the place was. Only downside is that it felt quite short, like when I had finished walking through the aquarium (and I had also stopped multiple times to take photos) I was quite surprised that it was over but other than that a lovely place to visit and good for the whole family!Visited June 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 30 July 2023
- anthea p1 contributionover priced and shoddy goodsBe warned about buying goods from the shop in the Bristol Aquarium. My grand daughter wanted a bracelet. no prices on the goods. It was a bit of string with a small metal fish on it. She paid £6 25, probably worth 50p and it has now broken.. I bought a child's sandwich and crisps for £3 50, one slice of processed cheese in it and a bag of ??? not crisps. Cafe generally poor quality and expensive.. weak coffee for £ 3 25 per cup.Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 1 August 2023
- Beth D7 contributionsSummer hol visitCame with young kids and elderly disabled grandparents. Felt that the experience is quiet short, and the price is fairly pricy for what you get (only my opinion) Only took 45/1hr to walk through. Best bit was the tunnel but even that was fairly short. Not a lot of passing places for pushchairs and wheelchairs.Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 3 August 2023
- Martin MackenzieLondon, United Kingdom21 contributionsDecent Aquarium to VisitWe have visited quite a few Aquariums however this Aquarium was very decent, not overly expensive entry fee, especially considering that you can walk around leave the premises to do something else or eat and then go back in and walk around again. Which is handy if you have kids because you may have missed some bits the first time around. There is a few little bits around your journey here for the kids to do, like stick their head inside a tank for an all round view and sit in some curved glass giving you a feeling of being inside a tank. And the overhead water tunnel is a good view point to see all those different species of fish and the sharks!! Really good place to visit and on certain days and times there are talks and feeds to watch. If in Bristol and stuck for something to do - I would recommend giving this a go.Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 4 August 2023
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3.5
1,530 reviews
Excellent
392
Very good
508
Average
407
Poor
153
Terrible
70
allim
Hassocks, UK149 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Was expecting more for the very steep entrance fee of £20 each.
Absolutely FULL of screaming children but that was our bad for visiting on a weekend 🙄
Needs better exhibits and better information
Absolutely FULL of screaming children but that was our bad for visiting on a weekend 🙄
Needs better exhibits and better information
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N J
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
The place is really big, there is a great gift shop where you can buy GIANT fish plushies. I bought a clownfish plush and I love him.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Food&Traveller
Newport, UK42 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Amazing. I have been to nearly every aquarium in the Uk. This would make the top 5. Staff very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Some increadible species.
The aquarium is laid out so well. Lots packed into the space but in a way visitors are not crammed in together (even though we attended in half term!)
The aquarium is laid out so well. Lots packed into the space but in a way visitors are not crammed in together (even though we attended in half term!)
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie
Sevenoaks, UK50 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We visited the aquarium during October half term and our first time in was very busy with children which was to be expected but the good thing about this aquarium is that tickets last all day so we went in again an hour before closing and got to see everything a little better. The aquarium itself is very nice, smaller than some others but still lots to see
Written 12 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Levin Harris-Thomas
Bristol, UK18 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We had a wonderful day here. Average entry prices and much better than other aquariums we've been to. Fully accessible for prams/wheelchairs which is fab, plenty to see for all ages. Our children absolutely loved it. Staff friendly and whole venue very clean. Once you pay for your ticket you can go around as many times as you like which is brilliant. Would highly recommend.
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ozcymru
Cardiff, UK106 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We were very disappointed. Might as well as called it the Grey Mullett aquarium as there were in a lot of the tanks with these bland fish in. The displays were only ok and didn't represent much imagination or size for the fish's habitat. The bigger tanks were overstocked with too many fish. It didn't take long to get around either. Why was the ground devoid of aquariums and contained bland white space? Very underwhelming in deed.
We won't be back as this attraction represents poor value for money and not worth a trip into England to spend our hard earned money on.
We won't be back as this attraction represents poor value for money and not worth a trip into England to spend our hard earned money on.
Written 3 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marley Elliot
London, UK22 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
I was also disappointed with the variety of fish on display. There were a few interesting exhibits, such as the piranhas and the penguins, but overall I found the selection to be quite limited.
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea
Liphook, UK5 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
The aquarium itself was nice but quite small if you remove the tropical plant house section - the exhibits all well maintained. The short walk through tunnel was great (we wished it could have been longer, however could have done with lighting to the right hand side of that specific exhibition as once fish went to that side, it was a little harder to see them.
The shop was disappointing in that it didn’t have a lot of own branded items ie fridge magnets saying that you’d visited.
We arrived late in the day but were very surprised to see that the cafe had already shut by 3:45 on a Saturday!
It took us about 45 minutes to walk round, including sitting down to watch in the larger exhibitions plus allowing one of the party to sit regularly.
The shop was disappointing in that it didn’t have a lot of own branded items ie fridge magnets saying that you’d visited.
We arrived late in the day but were very surprised to see that the cafe had already shut by 3:45 on a Saturday!
It took us about 45 minutes to walk round, including sitting down to watch in the larger exhibitions plus allowing one of the party to sit regularly.
Written 28 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FussyEater83
181 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
The place is ok to waste a bit of time in.
There are some nice tanks & fish to see but it’s not very big. It took us less than an hour to go round & this was at a slow pace & reading about all the different fishes etc…
It was also quite warm in there & the toilets weren’t very nice- no toilet paper.
Average at best.
There are some nice tanks & fish to see but it’s not very big. It took us less than an hour to go round & this was at a slow pace & reading about all the different fishes etc…
It was also quite warm in there & the toilets weren’t very nice- no toilet paper.
Average at best.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon W
Oxford, UK4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Excellent Clean interesting displays and stunning fish, nice location with lots of restaurants for food, sat for ages just watching the super impressive reef with the Magnificent Huge Sheila the Grouper stealing the show, first time seeing baby seahorses too! We took our time so spent a good 2 hours to go round, it’s a small but impressive aquarium and worth the visit too see unusual species, it’s good that you can pop to the shops and go back round before 4pm for a second viewing,
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy P
Wiltshire, UK
Can visitors bring their own food? If so, is there an indoor area to eat one's own food?
Turners80
High Wycombe, UK86 contributions
There is a cafe with seating but it’s for paying customers only. Outside the aquarium there is plenty of space to have some food if it’s a nice day and they have fountains and water for the children to play in.
My partner has broke his foot and we are visiting today do you have wheelchairs available and what ticket shall I select?
Carolla
Bristol, UK113 contributions
Hi sorry for late reply ! I somehow missed your question !
I hope you went I love it there 😍
Yes it is wheelchair friendly , not sure if they provide wheelchairs ! As for which ticket to select I would say one adult and cater .
If I am bringing my two year old do I select the 3-13 option or not include one? I'm confused
Darrell F
Swansea, UK95 contributions
You don't have to pay for children under 3.
Naylyan
Bournemouth, UK
How much is the ticket per person? Adult or child?
wiseguy4reel
Bath, UK71 contributions
Hope this helps:
Standard (13 yrs+) £14.75 (Standard Admission) £13.28 (Online Price)
Junior (3-12 yrs) £9.75 (Standard Admission) £8.78 (Online Price)
Child Under 3years Free (Standard Admission) Free (Online Price)
Family (2 standard and 2 junior) £47.00 (Standard Admission) £42.10 (Online Price)
Friends pack (4 adults) Online Exclusive (Standard Admission) £51.10 (Online Price)
Stevebuster
2 contributions
Hi do you have concessions for foster carers
Hi Stevebuster,
Thank you for your question. At the current time we do not offer any reduced concession rate for foster carers, only for full-time students with an NUS card, over 60s, and people with disabilities (who may bring a free carer with them).
Keep an eye out for promotions that may be running such as our popular 'Kids Go Free' which may help you.
Kindest regards,
Simon Hubbard
Office Supervisor
Hi, I'm jasmine and I want to no How long does it take to go round the Bristol aquarium?
Hi Jasmine,
Thank you for your question. The length of time for a visit is completely variable depending on your level of interest. Some visitors like to walk through in 45 minutes to an hour and some like to spend a few hours reading the information boards and learning about wildlife and conservation. We have over 40 naturally themed exhibits and so you really want to be spending more than a minute looking at each one to really see what's inside.
The ticket price is an all-day rate for unlimited entry all day so that you can catch the daily talks and feeds too!
Hope to see you soon,
Kind regards
Simon
SallyBristol
Bristol23 contributions
Instead of recommending visitors to look out for special promotions, would it not be more helpful to reduce the general ticket price to a more realistic level?
Hi Sally, Thanks for your question. We review our prices every year, as well as compare our prices with other major city attractions, but your comments will be passed to the General Manager. Kind Regards, Sarah.
SallyBristol
Bristol23 contributions
Will Elsa the Octopus be getting replaced by another octopus at some point?
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your enquiry regarding one of our displays. We’ve had giant Pacific octopus at Bristol Aquarium for five years now and, following the sad loss of Elsa, we are taking this opportunity to review the cold-water area within our displays, with a view to introducing new species here to share new habitats with our visitors and members.
We haven’t ruled out introducing octopus altogether though, so watch this space. You can follow announcements of our new displays on our Facebook page, BristolAquarium.
Thanks again, hope you can visit us soon.
jennifer c
Bristol, UK1 contribution
Opening hours
Hi Jennifer,
Bristol Aquarium opening hours are
Monday 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 10am – 5pm
Wednesday 10am – 5pm
Thursday 10am – 5pm
Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 10am – 5pm
Last entry is one hour before closing.
We are open all bank holidays. The only day we are closed is Christmas Day.
Thank you
Sarah
Sarah Moore
Marketing Manager
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bristol Aquarium
- Bristol Aquarium is open:
- Mon - Fri 10:00 - 16:00
- Sat - Sun 10:00 - 17:00
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- (0.11 mi) The Bristol
- (0.07 mi) Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
- (0.10 mi) YHA Bristol
- (0.08 mi) The Stables
- (0.13 mi) Ibis Bristol Centre
- Restaurants near Bristol Aquarium:
- (0.03 mi) Blazing Bird
- (0.03 mi) Bristol Sports Bar
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- (0.02 mi) Bristol Street Art Tours
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- (0.09 mi) Blackbeard to Banksy the Ultimate Bristol Walking Tour
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