CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED
Aquariums & Sea Life in Preston
There isn't a proper aquarium in Preston itself, so this one means a trip out. Closest is SEA LIFE Blackpool, about 15 miles away, with rays, turtles and an ocean tunnel from £14. Further afield, SEA LIFE Manchester sits next to the Trafford Centre with free parking and party rooms, and Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive is free to get into, with mummies and touch screens alongside its tanks. For a cheap day, Bolton wins on price. Toddlers will do better at Blackpool or Bolton than the longer runs to Liverpool, where the Royal Liver Building 360 Tour needs a head for heights and Royal Albert Dock is more of a waterside wander than a fish tank in sight. If you just fancy looking at fish without booking anything, Swell UK in Hyde has tropical, coldwater and marine tanks to browse, plus reptiles, though it's over 50km so best paired with something else nearby.
7 places 2 upcoming events 1 free to visit
What's on: aquariums & sea life
Places for aquariums & sea life
FreeBolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive
Bolton
Free museum with real Egyptian mummies, hands-on touch screens and local history, right in the middle of Bolton.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingGift shop+3 more
from £4Liverpool Boat Tour
Liverpool
A half hour cruise round Liverpool's dock system, past the yachts and working boats moored in the Marina.
Card onlyIndoor seatingFood on site
Royal Albert Dock Liverpool
Liverpool
A waterfront cluster of warehouses by the Mersey with cafés, restaurants and step-free paths for a wander, not one single attraction.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféDog friendly+3 more
from £13Royal Liver Building 360 Tour
Liverpool · ages 5+
Climb up above the clock face of the Royal Liver Building for 360 degree views and a close look at the Liver Birds on the roof terrace.
Accessible toiletGift shopToilets
from £14SEA LIFE Blackpool
Blackpool
Promenade aquarium in Blackpool - ocean tunnel, rays, turtles and a Jurassic Ocean Tunnel for 2026.
Gift shopToiletsBooking requiredWheelchair accessible
from £16SEA LIFE Manchester
Manchester
Indoor aquarium at Trafford Palazzo - ocean tunnel, sharks, turtles and rays next to the Trafford Centre.
Free parkingParkingToiletsGift shop+6 more
Swell UK Ltd - Garden, Pond and Aquatic Supplies
Hyde
A garden and aquatic supplies shop where you can wander past tanks of tropical, coldwater and marine fish, plus reptiles and amphibians.
Good to know: aquariums & sea life in Preston
Are any of them free?
Yes, Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive is free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £4 at Liverpool Boat Tour. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find aquariums & sea life in Bolton, Liverpool, Blackpool, Manchester and Hyde. Every place we list is in or around Preston, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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