On a recent visit to the South Coast, we popped in to see my Sister, took her kids off her hands for the day and headed for Brighton. Maybe it was just an excuse to indulge myself “Well we’ve got to amuse the children”, but I’d always wanted to visit one of the Sea-Life Centres, but had never got around to it.
I’ve always been fascinated by the under sea world and can remember avidly viewing things like Jacques Cousteau on TV and other Natural History programmes on underwater life. So the opportunity arose to visit Brighton’s Sea-Life centre with three young nephews and in any case – it was raining outside so we had nowhere else to go!
It really is a joy to visit one of these places. A joy for me as an adult, but also to see the faces of the kids and hear their enthusiasm. The Sea-Life centres are not just one big Aquarium or succession of boring displays, but they bring the whole wonder of Sea life to the ‘surface’ so to speak.
At Brighton they have a brilliant underwater ‘Ocean’ tunnel. You can walk beneath the water and see all the fish swimming above and around you. It’s fascinating and well, I loved it.
The ‘blurb’ in the Guidebook tells you it’s a ‘fascinating expedition of discovery through the uncharted depths of the sea’ or something similar. But it truly is. You can see and get up close to some of the ‘inmates’ as there are ‘feeding times’ throughout the day. Many of the displays are in as natural an environment as possible with locations such as ‘the cliffs’, ‘sandy seabed’ and the ‘kingdom of the seahorse’ all housing rare and interesting fish. Is it just me or are Seahorse just the cutest little things? Here at the Sealife centre they have their own section, built especially for them. Tiny little mites darting and bobbing around in the water. No one can fail not to fall in love with them.
Anyway enough of me being all girly. It really is a great day out for the Family. My ‘borrowed’ family (boys of 7, 10 and 12) who are usually only satisfield if they are in huge long queues at some Theme Park, thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was something different – not a Zoo, not a boring Museum, but a real life environment that didn’t try too hard to educate, just led you around for you to wonder at the beauty of all the things that inhabit the seas around us.
Try it – you and your kids will love it.
NOTE – If you have younger ones there is plenty for them to do as well as see – there is a nice sift play area for them to muck around in if it all gets a bit much for them
MORE INFORMATION – 01273 604234 (Telephone bookings) or Info Line 0870 840 5678
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My mate is at uni in Brighton, and no matter how many times I pester when I go visit, we stillhaven't gone to the Sea Life Centre! I remember going to the one in Southend and loving it, so I will have to insist next time! K xxx
Dodger 13.02.2002 22:03
I agree, my kids love this place, and occasionally there are offers. I love looking down in the darkness into the shark pool with the spotlights on it - very atmospheric!
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Advantages: good variety of artwork, absolutely free unless you buy some artwork,you get to see some lovely houses, meet some friendly artists Disadvantages: you can't see them all, can be a bit tiring trekking around Brighton!
Sep 27th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
