Bristol Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium and botanical house located on Anchor Road in the historic harbourside area of Bristol. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the latest admission structure, noting that standard adult tickets now cost £22.50 and the attraction does not currently offer an NHS or Blue Light discount.
Quick facts about Bristol Aquarium
| Quick facts | Details |
| Opening hours | Monday to Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (seasonal variations apply) |
| Ticket prices | Adults £22.50, Children (3–12) £15.30 |
| Address | Anchor Road, Bristol, BS1 5TT |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Millennium Square Car Park; Bristol Temple Meads railway station |
| Typical time needed to visit | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Bristol Aquarium opening hours
Bristol Aquarium is open seven days a week from 10:00 am. Closing times vary depending on the season, with the facility typically shutting between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Last entry is always permitted one hour before the scheduled closing time.
The facility operates year-round with these core hours, remaining open on all weekends and bank holidays. The attraction only closes entirely on Christmas Day.
Bristol Aquarium ticket prices
Adult tickets (ages 13 and older) cost £22.50, and junior tickets (ages 3 to 12) cost £15.30. Concession tickets for university students and seniors aged 65 and older cost £20.50 with valid identification. Children under three years of age enter for free. All tickets are valid for the entire day, allowing visitors to leave the building and re-enter later.
Bristol Aquarium is not included in any multi-attraction city pass schemes. If you are using regional tourist passes to visit other local sites like the Roman Baths, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, or the M Shed, you will need to purchase a separate admission ticket for this attraction.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
How to get to Bristol Aquarium
The attraction is situated in the city centre on the historic Bristol Harbourside. For public transport users, Bristol Temple Meads railway station is approximately a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride away.
Visitors can also use local First Bus services 8 or 9, which stop at College Green, located a short walk down the side of Bristol Cathedral from the main entrance. Alternatively, the Bristol Ferry boat service operates routine stops along the nearby waterfront.
Parking at Bristol Aquarium
Bristol Aquarium does not own a dedicated car park. Visitors are advised to use the Millennium Square Car Park, a large underground paid facility situated just a two-minute walk from the main entrance.
Additional paid city centre parking options include the Prince Street NCP and the Wapping Wharf car park on Wapping Road, both located within a ten-minute walk of the attraction.
How long to spend at Bristol Aquarium
Most visitors need between one and a half and two hours to tour the facility. This provides enough time to walk past the 40 living displays, explore the indoor botanical house, and watch one of the scheduled daily animal feeds.
Accessibility at Bristol Aquarium
The aquarium is fully wheelchair and pushchair accessible, featuring wide pathways and gently inclining ramps between the ground and first floors. Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow at the front desk for an additional cost, subject to availability.
A registered carer accompanying a paying disabled visitor is admitted free of charge, provided they show valid documentation such as an Access Card or a Carer’s Allowance letter. The attraction also periodically hosts ‘Even Calmer Days’, where music and children’s rides are turned off to create a consistent sensory experience.
Inside / what to see at Bristol Aquarium
The facility showcases a variety of native and tropical marine life across seven themed zones. The Ocean Floor exhibit focuses on cold-water species from the UK coastline, featuring a large native display with Atlantic wreckfish, sea bass, and lesser spotted catsharks.
The Sunken Shipwreck provides an environment replicating a coastal wreck, while the Coral Seas gallery displays tropical species, including giant groupers, lionfish, and honeycomb moray eels.
The Bay of Rays is an open-topped tank where visitors can observe several ray species, such as thornback and painted rays. This display is housed within the Urban Jungle, a large indoor botanical glasshouse containing exotic tropical plants and trees.
The Amazing Amazon zone explores freshwater habitats, featuring open-topped displays containing red-bellied piranhas and blind cave fish.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
| Timing | Plan your visit around the daily scheduled talks, such as the octopus or seahorse feeds, to see the animals at their most active. |
| Crowds | The aquarium is busiest during school holidays and rainy weekends, so arrive at 10:00 am for a quieter experience. |
| Layout | The attraction features a one-way system spread across two floors, connected by ramped walkways inside the botanical glasshouse. |
| Entry process | Tickets do not require a pre-booked time slot, allowing you to walk up and purchase admission at the desk upon arrival. |
| On-site logistics | There are no secure luggage lockers available, so avoid bringing large bags or heavy items that you cannot carry throughout your visit. |
Frequently asked questions about Bristol Aquarium
| Question | Answer |
| Is Bristol Aquarium suitable for children? | Yes, the facility features engaging displays, daily talks, and children under three enter for free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Bristol Aquarium? | No, advance booking is not required, and flexible day tickets can be purchased at the door. |
| Is Bristol Aquarium open on Sundays? | Yes, standard Sunday opening hours are from 10:00 am. |
| Are bags allowed at Bristol Aquarium? | Yes, standard bags are permitted, but there are no cloakrooms or secure storage lockers on-site. |
Things to do near Bristol Aquarium
- Brunel’s SS Great Britain: A historic passenger steamship permanently docked in the Great Western Dockyard.
- Bristol Cathedral: A historic Church of England cathedral featuring notable Gothic architecture, located just off College Green.
- M Shed: A museum dedicated to the history of Bristol and its people, situated within a 1950s transit shed on the wharf.
- Clifton Suspension Bridge: Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s famous toll bridge spanning the Avon Gorge, located a short drive away.
- Bristol Museum & Art Gallery: A large museum featuring collections of art, nature, and history, located near the university campus.
More South-West England travel
Other South-West England travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect at Aerospace Bristol.
- Practical guide to visiting Shepton Mallet Prison.
- Key details for visiting No. 1 Royal Crescent in Bath.
- Visitor guide to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath.
- What to look out for at Wells Cathedral.
