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 Murray
    2 contributions
    Great for younger children
    After 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 2022
    Written 6 January 2023
  • Sam N
    Bristol, United Kingdom10 contributions
    Great aquarium, shame about cafe and gift shop
    A 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 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 27 February 2023
  • Robert S
    5 contributions
    Would recommend when quite
    Me 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 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 9 May 2023
  • Andrew D
    Gloucester, United Kingdom91 contributions
    Feeding 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 2023
    Written 25 May 2023
  • tasgard
    Hobart, Australia255 contributions
    Educational entertainment
    The 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 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 July 2023
  • samantha
    Las Vegas, Nevada4 contributions
    Bristol 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 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 30 July 2023
  • anthea p
    1 contribution
    over priced and shoddy goods
    Be 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 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 1 August 2023
  • Beth D
    7 contributions
    Summer hol visit
    Came 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 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 3 August 2023
  • Martin Mackenzie
    London, United Kingdom21 contributions
    Decent Aquarium to Visit
    We 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 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 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
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!)
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.
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.
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.
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.

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BRISTOL AQUARIUM: Tickets, Tours & Tips (with Photos)

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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