The Lake District Coast Aquarium

With the option to leave and re-enter as many times as you like during the day of your ticket purchase, the Lake District Coast Aquarium offers great value for money and more. Perfect for when the weather is less than favourable, this indoor attraction showcases marine life from the adjacent Irish Sea.

Furthermore, when the weather is good, you can combine a visit to the aquarium with a play on the adventure playground, or a walk along the coast. Although small compared to many other aquariums, there is plenty to see here, including a mock-up of the Solway Estuary with fish from the area, and a petting pool where you can touch some of the creatures, such as star fish. The centre is pushchair friendly throughout, and there are interactive activities for children.

Highlights

You won’t find a plethora of exotic species here (although there is a small tropical section), but you will find a celebration of local marine life. See the freshwater fish that inhabit the Lake District’s numerous lakes, or learn about the sharks that dwell in the changing waters of the Solway Estuary. Lobsters, rays, and crabs are displayed alongside informative boards that will educate you about the fascinating waters that surround us. You can get hands on with some of the animals at the rock pool, or watch rays and lobsters being fed.

There are around 150 different species on display. Furthermore, the aquarium runs a lobster breeding programme, and, in the sea lab, you can see lobsters at various stages in their development before they are released into the wild.

For children, a quiz sheet can be obtained at the entrance, and there is usually a prize of a lollipop for completion. In addition, there is an education room where you will find colouring sheets, toys, and story books – many with a marine theme.

Outside, there is a large adventure playground that is free to use, and a crazy golf course that costs an additional £2.75 for adults and £1.95 for children. There are also coin operated remote control boats.

Located within the aquarium, the Harbourside Café is free to enter and serves a selection of seafood dishes, as well as other classic dishes, and has a good choice of child friendly foods. There are baby changing facilities and the attraction is pushchair friendly throughout.

Getting There

The aquarium is located adjacent to the coast, on the quay, in the small town of Maryport in west Cumbria. Once you arrive in Maryport, there are brown signs indicating the way to the attraction. The aquarium has a limited number of free parking spaces, but if these are not available, there is ample pay and display parking on the quay, which is just a few metres from the aquarium entrance.