Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

what is london aquarium like with 3 yr old and 5 month old?

27 replies

mad4myboys · 23/04/2009 15:47

ds1 loves these types of things, as do we and ds2 loves our fish tank

what is this place like? any good? is it a whole day or couple hours? pros cons etc?

tia

OP posts:
Original poster
mad4myboys · 23/04/2009 20:50

bump

OP posts:
EldonAve · 23/04/2009 20:53

with 2 adults fine if you like fish
with a preschool trip hellish
there is a nice playground by the london eye too

Original poster
mad4myboys · 23/04/2009 20:56

yes me plus dh although will be a saturday...is it going to be squashy, scramble to see everything?

OP posts:
Yurtgirl · 23/04/2009 20:57

My mum and her friend went there - their visit lasted about half an hour! I guess with kids it would be longer

My mum was mega disappointed given how much it cost to get in!

nancy75 · 23/04/2009 20:59

it does get very busy, especially if you go on a day when the weather is bad. if you are going by train you can get a form from the trainstation so that you can get in 2 for the price of one, which is good because it is abit overpriced.

silverfrog · 23/04/2009 20:59

I went in Feb half term, and it was a bit crowded. but e hung back a bit, and people do move on fairly well.

Was good though (and they only had half of ti open then due to refurb) - very good large tanks for sharks etc. both dds (4 and 2) loved it.

I found the layout not very buggy friendly, but that could have be due to refurb too, as a fair few bits were closed off.

Would second playground, and lots of child friendly places to eat too.

ChippyMinton · 23/04/2009 20:59

went just before xmas and it was being refurbished. very disappointing and took no more than an hour to get round. Wouldn't pay to get in (have Merlin passes). Also dispalys are quite high up so you will be lifting the DC up to see.

TheGashlycrumbTinies · 23/04/2009 21:00

We were there last Saturday with DD's 6 & 3. We got there for about 10.30, and beat the crowds, we took about 1 1/2 hours to go round and enjoyed it.

The little play area is quite good, DD's enjoyed it, and of course the street entertainment is fab.

Have a great time.

IlanaK · 23/04/2009 21:00

Here is an alternative suggestion: go to the zoo. No, seriously! They have a little visited aquarium there that is suprisingly large, generally empty of people and really long and great for running toddlers. The cost of the London Aquarium is high for what you get. If you pay for the zoo instead (also high price) you get two in one as you can make a day of it as well as doing the aquarium bit. The zoo now has a great children's section that just opened as well.

silverfrog · 23/04/2009 21:01

agree I'd have been disappointed to pay (we have Merlin passes too), but there was a LOT closed due to refurb, which should all be open now.

Queues were insane though, so getting there early essential.

EldonAve · 23/04/2009 21:03

I agree with IlanaK that the zoo is better

merryberry · 23/04/2009 21:05

yup i 2nd the zoo suggestion. been twice this week...much more baby and pre-schooler friendly. my 3 year old is as excited by a tank of tiddlers as by sharks. just as long as they move.

aquarium only takes just over an hour with a fast moving 3 year old.

merryberry · 23/04/2009 21:07

tho the cafe there is about the worst possible. talking £8+ for coll, small plate of fish and chips. take some of your own fresh food.

Original poster
mad4myboys · 23/04/2009 21:07

we are going this saturday and i think its meant to rain...10.030 is ealriest we'd get there as obv have ds2 to get fed and we'd be driving. Would the zoo not be awful if it rains?

OP posts:
ohdearwhatamess · 23/04/2009 21:15

It is crap. Don't waste your time or money.

Original poster
mad4myboys · 23/04/2009 21:16

ohdear, which is crap?

OP posts:
ohdearwhatamess · 23/04/2009 21:17

Aquarium is crap (and would be v. hard work with little ones - you'd have to hold them up a lot).
Zoo is good.

Sarimillie · 23/04/2009 21:22

If you fancy an aquarium which is perfect for littlies, try the Horniman (Forest Hill is the nearest train station, and various buses stop right outside). And it's free.

Original poster
mad4myboys · 23/04/2009 21:22

is there anything under cover?

OP posts:
Sarimillie · 23/04/2009 21:27

Oh - just seen that you plan to drive. Not sure where you park for the Horniman, but I bet their website would say.

Original poster
mad4myboys · 23/04/2009 21:29

dh works in the city and knows parking. would go by train but i sadly have a bit of a phobia and dont want to go that far and long on a train with the ds's!

OP posts:
IlanaK · 23/04/2009 21:32

The zoo is fine in the rain. It has so many inside bits. As well as the aquarium, there is the reptile house, the bug house, the rainforest house, the butterfly exhibit, zoo world - all indoors. Also, they have a covered outdoor ampetheatre which does shows during the day.

Original poster
mad4myboys · 23/04/2009 21:34

thanks guys, really glad i posted on here!

OP posts:
Yurtgirl · 23/04/2009 21:35

I agree london zoo is far better value for money and takes a lot longer to see everything

nancy75 · 23/04/2009 21:45

if you go to the zoo eat before/after or take food with you. the food there is totally vile