Sea Life London Aquarium
South Bank aquarium beneath County Hall with sharks, penguins, an ocean tunnel and hands-on rock pools
South Bank aquarium beneath County Hall with sharks, penguins, an ocean tunnel and hands-on rock pools
Sea Life London Aquarium occupies the basement levels of County Hall, directly beside the London Eye on the South Bank. Opened in 1997, it holds over 600 species in themed zones that trace a journey from British rivers to tropical reefs and the open ocean.
The route passes through freshwater habitats, a rainforest zone and a glass-walled ocean tunnel where sharks and rays glide overhead. Feeding sessions, rock pool touch experiences and a colony of Gentoo penguins give younger visitors hands-on encounters beyond the tanks.
Sea Life London Aquarium opened in March 1997 in the basement levels of County Hall, the former headquarters of the London County Council and later the Greater London Council. The building's deep sub-basement vaults proved ideal for holding the enormous water volumes required, and the conversion preserved many of the original structural features now hidden behind tank walls.
Originally called the London Aquarium, it was rebranded as Sea Life London Aquarium in 2008 when Merlin Entertainments took over operations. Since then it has undergone multiple refurbishments, adding the penguin colony in 2011, the Shark Walk in 2018 and an expanded rainforest zone. It now displays over 600 species across 14 themed zones.
The one-way route begins with British freshwater habitats, including trout, pike and otters, before descending into warmer waters. The tropical reef section holds clownfish, lionfish and blue tangs amid living coral displays. The centrepiece is the ocean tunnel and Shark Walk, where sand tiger sharks, green sea turtles and large rays circle in a tank holding 400,000 litres.
Penguin Point sits at the lower level, with above-water and underwater viewing windows into the Gentoo colony. The rainforest zone is warm and humid, housing piranhas, poison dart frogs and a caiman. Interactive touch screens throughout the aquarium provide species information, and daily feeding talks and rock pool sessions are scheduled on boards near the entrance.
Sea Life London Aquarium is one of the most popular family-friendly attractions on the South Bank. It is fully pushchair-accessible, and the interactive trail sheets handed out at the entrance keep younger children engaged through each zone. Allow 90 minutes to two hours for a thorough visit, more if you stay for feeding talks.
The aquarium shares the County Hall complex with the London Eye and the London Dungeon. Combination tickets covering two or three of these attractions offer savings over individual entry. The Southbank Centre, with its food market and cultural programme, is a five-minute walk east along the river.
Online tickets are significantly cheaper than walk-up prices, and off-peak visits cost less than peak weekends and holidays
School groups and families pack the aquarium on weekends, half terms and summer holidays. A Tuesday or Wednesday morning during term time is noticeably quieter and gives you clear views of every tank.
Daily shark feeds, penguin feeds and ray feeds run at set times posted near the entrance. Arrive 10 minutes early for the best viewing position, as the areas around tanks fill up fast.
Free activity trail sheets are available for children. They turn the visit into a scavenger hunt with questions to answer in each zone, keeping younger visitors focused and engaged.
Merlin combo tickets bundle Sea Life with the London Eye, London Dungeon or Madame Tussauds. If you plan to visit more than one, the combined price is considerably less than buying separately.
The supervised rock pool touch experience is included in the ticket price and is the highlight for many children. Aquarists help visitors handle starfish and anemones gently and explain what they are feeling.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: March 5, 2026
