Bristol Aquarium — Attraction in Bristol

Extremely Distressing Experience. Deeply Concerned About Animal Welfare

If I could give this place zero stars, I would. My recent visit to Bristol Aquarium was not just disappointing, it was disturbing. I left feeling heartbroken, angry, and genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of the animals on display. I do not understand how this facility is still allowed to operate, and I seriously question how any family could return, let alone bring children here.

The aquarium was moderately busy on a Saturday, but there was no queue to enter. At £21 per ticket for anyone over 13, I expected a meaningful and well-maintained experience. Instead, we were done in under an hour, feeling more horrified with each exhibit.

Many tanks were shockingly small, overcrowded, and in visibly poor condition. Several fish appeared lifeless or were displaying signs of distress. Some were desperately trying to escape their enclosures, and I found myself on the verge of tears. I do not own pets, but no living creature deserves to be kept in such confined, seemingly neglected spaces.

The facility itself was in poor condition. Tanks were dusty, covered in cobwebs, and the water quality in some enclosures appeared questionable. The smell throughout was overpowering, something between decay and stale seawater—which only added to the discomfort. The general cleanliness was appalling, from the exhibits to the gift shop, which looked like it hadn’t been swept or maintained in weeks.

This felt less like an aquarium and more like an abandoned building where animals have been left behind. I would strongly urge any animal welfare organization, such as the RSPCA, to investigate the conditions here. It’s not just disappointing, it’s potentially abusive.

I deeply regret supporting this business, not for the money, but because I feel I contributed to a facility that may be neglecting the very creatures it claims to educate the public about. I hope this review encourages others to think twice and pushes for urgent reform or oversight.

IMPORTANT, i would add the videos but unfortunately google won’t...

We had an absolutely fantastic time at Bristol Aquarium! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by the incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff. They were eager to answer any questions and made the experience even more enjoyable with their enthusiasm and expertise about the marine life.

The variety of fish and other sea creatures on display is simply breathtaking. From colorful tropical fish to mesmerizing jellyfish, every tank is full of life and beautifully maintained. The highlight of our visit was definitely the huge tank that gives you the feeling of being submerged underwater. Walking through the tunnel with sharks, rays, and schools of fish swimming overhead was truly magical—like stepping into another world!

We were also incredibly lucky to catch a glimpse of the aquarium's newest addition—a baby octopus! It was amazing to see such a rare and fascinating creature up close. The staff were excited to share stories about the baby octopus and its behaviors, making the experience even more special.

The aquarium is well laid out, with informative displays that cater to both children and adults. Each exhibit is thoughtfully designed to not only showcase the incredible diversity of marine life but also educate visitors on conservation and the importance of protecting our oceans.

After exploring the exhibits, we were delighted to find a neat and well-stocked gift shop. It had a great selection of souvenirs, from educational toys and books to unique gifts that will remind you of your visit. We picked up a couple of items, and the prices were quite reasonable.

Overall, Bristol Aquarium offers a perfect blend of education and entertainment. Whether you're a family with young kids, a couple looking for a unique date spot, or just a solo traveller wanting to learn more about marine life, this place is a must-visit. Seeing the baby octopus was just the cherry on top of an already wonderful day. We will definitely be back for another...

Visited this delightful little Aquarium over the February Half Term. We pre-booked tickets using our Days Out + membership to take advantage of the kids go free offer they were running. We paid £43.50 for 2 adults and 2 children. We didn't have to book a time slot, we were just able to turn up when we wanted. As it was Half Term we were expecting it to be busy (especially as it was a Monday and many of the attractions in Bristol seem to be closed on a Monday!), but there was only a small queue to get in and the staff were dealing with it efficiently. Tickets were a QR code on my phone,which was scanned, and then we were given info about talks that were on throughout the day. We were also informed that your ticket allows you to come and go from the Aquarium as many times as you'd like for the whole day, this was a really great touch as it meant we didn't have to hang around for talks,we could leave and pop back later for them. So the Aquarium is small. Even with it being fairly busy we got round everything in about 90 minutes. The exhibits were all very clean and well maintained, and there was a good selection of fish and sea life to see. My youngest child is fish mad so he absolutely loved sitting watching the fish, and taking photos and videos. The talks we saw were informative and the staff were very friendly when answering questions. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and would definitely recommend it, especially if you have little ones (or even slightly bigger ones) who love fish! My son has already requested a...