Living in West Sussex for most of my childhood, I always looked forward to a visit to the aquarium at Brighton to see the dolphins.
Fast forward a few years (I’m not counting, but it’s a lot), the dolphins are now gone and the aquarium has been transformed into Brighton SEA LIFE Centre.
SEA LIFE Brighton is set outside Palace Pier and is the oldest operating aquarium in the world, built in 1872 and features 3,500 mesmerising creatures including jellyfish, rays, turtles and octopus.
The first thing that strikes you as you head inside, is just how spectacular the building is and I loved the rainbow of colour changing lights that illuminate up the huge vaulted ceiling.
They have married old and new well, with interactive exhibits for the kids to get involved with.
SEA LIFE Brighton is a not as large as SEA LIFE Weymouth, where we visit regularly, however, there are plenty of added extra’s to keep the family entertained, including a behind the scenes tour and Rainforest Adventure.
Like Weymouth, they have a new conservation cove, which helps both children and adults to understand how shopping and fishing habits are affecting our oceans and what they can do to help.
The SEA LIFE centre was still doing refurbishments during our visit, which should be completed by half term next week and will see the glass bottom boat and ocean tunnel re-open to the public.
It didn’t spoil our visit though.
Entry to SEA LIFE Brighton is free for Merlin Annual Pass holders or the best value way to purchase tickets is online, in advance, with prices starting from £10.50 per person at www.visitsealife.com/brighton/tickets/general-admission/.
We hope to head back to Brighton soon to do the i360 and can’t wait to head back to SEA LIFE to see the finished refurbishments!
Have you visited SEA LIFE Brighton before?
Oh wow what an impressive building! We live quite far away from Brighton, however are planning to visit the SeaLife Centre in Birmingham this weekend 🙂
This is definitely of places to visit. We’ve been to the London one and loved it!
This looks ace! Can never get enough of the underwater creatures at that age!
This looks like such an amazing SeaLife Centre to go and visit! I have to admit I’ve not been to one in ages, I might have to try and see if I can convince the other half we need a trip to our local one soon!
First time I read about this. I have visited Brighton for the vegan festival a couple of years ago, didn’t had a clue you had an aquarium! It’s so cool, love the colors and designs.
The Sea Life center looks amazing. We love to visit aquariums and treat vacations as learning experiences for our family.
That is such a unique building for a Sea Center. I’m sure the kids must have loved it.
We love the tunnels you can walk through. This looks fab for our next trip to Brighton.
I love how there are behind the scenes tour and Rainforest Adventure which are quite unique as we don’t usually get to see what is behind the scenes. It sure lights up the kids imagination.
Oh fab! We love the SEALIFE centre up here too, I love how each one offers something a little different!
I haven’t but I would love to! It looks interesting and fun… 🙂
Wow looks like a fun place for kids.
This looks a nice place to visit in Brighton. You surely enjoyed a lot. Loved reading your experience.
Looks like it has great architecture. I don’t agree with keeping animals in captivity though.
Wow, I didn’t realise it was the oldest operating aquarium in the world, what an amazing achievement. It looks like a fab place to visit.
My son loves aquariums and sea life centers so much. He would love to visit this place!
Looks amazing, we’ve been to the Birmingham and Chessington one’s a couple of times. My kids love sea life, we used to have our own marine aquarium but they take so much looking after.
Wow that building does look impressive. I think the contraction sections are great for teaching children
We love the location of Brighton SEA LIFE Centre as it’s super close to the pier and the beach. It’s such a wonderful building too!
this is really cool! my son would love to go here!
I think I would have as much fun as the kids there! Looks like such a great place to spend the afternoon with the family!
This place looks like somewhere my kids would LOVE!
I’m always in awe of the magical nature of water creatures!
That’s a stunning building to have the sea life in, I love seeing all the different types of fishes too
What a neat place to visit! It sounds like a perfect place to check out with the family. I studied marine science in college and I love visiting different aquariums.