Best aquariums and zoos in Kent for marine life
If you’re a Water Baby like me and you’re looking for some great Kent marine aquariums, sea life centres and wildlife centres, then I’ve got you covered for the best aquariums and zoos in Kent!!
It’s be one of those great days out that you’ll always remember. It’s the perfect place to learn about tropical fish, sharks, green sea turtles, marine animals and reef systems, then I got you covered.
You’ll learn about the important role of marine systems, essential elements for their habitat, marine life and reef aquariums that’ll be enjoyable for the whole family. There aren’t that many aquariums in Kent itself, but there are many on the edge, and there are plenty of wildlife centres to choose from too.
Keep reading to find the best aquariums and zoos in Kent!
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Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
You might be interested in my other Kent blogs:
26 Best lodges with hot tubs in Kent
Quirky and unusual places to stay in Kent
15 best dog friendly beaches in Kent
Best coach day trips and holidays, Kent
Best Aquariums and Zoos in Kent
Let’s get straight to it! Here are the best aquariums and zoos in Kent!
Underwater world Hastings
This fabulous is one of those sea life centres that you won’t want to leave! You’ll go on an underwater journey with breath-taking displays that will take you from the enchanting British coastline to the vibrant tropical reefs, saltwater aquariums and beyond.
They have a bunch of naturally themed habitats, and you’ll have the opportunity to choose your favourite fish tank, walk through a custom-built aquarium turned underwater tunnel with sharks and reef fish for a fabulous day out.
As you explore, you will have the opportunity to come face to face with a myriad of aquatic creatures ranging from colossal lobsters and crabs to the delightful seahorses and fierce tropical sharks. Honestly, some of the sea crabs were the largest things I’ve ever seen, low key terrifying (if I was to actually meet them in the wild) but still very impressive.
With over 40 authentically recreated displays and tanks, you will get an unparalleled chance to learn about marine fish and these remarkable sea creatures, coral reefs and the incredible life under water.
At the core of the aquarium lies a massive ocean tank where an underwater tunnel walkway provides an up-close and personal experience with the captivating beauty of an exotic coral reef.
This reef is the home to countless dazzling fish species that will leave you in awe. Learn about whether fish ever get thirsty, or what the fastest fish is, or the fastest shark… you’ll come away learning so much more than you thought you might ever.
Their ultimate goal is to show you life under the sea! The marvels of the underwater world are endless, and they want to raise awareness of the importance of preserving and protecting them. It is definitely home to some of the best aquariums and zoos in Kent!
Sea Life Chessington
Just on the outside of Kent, but not too far out is the Sea Life Centre in Chessington. Perfect for a day out with the whole family peering through glass aquariums and watching all the incredible tropical fish. You’ll see saltwater aquariums, fresh water marine life, tropical fish and other arrays of sea life creatures.
Learn a little more about coral reefs and why they’re important to not only marine life, but the whole ecosystem. You might even learn a little bit about the detrimental heavy metals and undesirable algae growth that can be present in the underwater world of the ocean.
Finicky Eaters don’t worry; there’s something for everyone at the in house cafe, where you’ll be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the ambiance.
British wildlife centre
The British Wildlife Centre is a zoo in the hamlet of New chapel near Lingfield village in the county of Surrey, South East England. The zoo was founded in 1997 by David Mills, who converted his dairy farm into a centre to celebrate British wildlife.
Wingham Wildlife Park
Wingham Wildlife Park is a medium-sized wildlife park situated near Wingham in Kent, UK where it covers an area of 26 acres. In 2011 the species count at the park reached 180 species, growing to over 200 in 2013 covering fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and birds.
Port Lympne Safari Park
Experience an unforgettable safari adventure amidst vast acres of breathtaking Kentish grasslands by visiting the Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve. Now is the perfect time to explore Port Lympne and introduce your loved ones to our welcoming community.
One of the best zoos in Kent!
Howletts
Discover over 390 magnificent animals, including Kent’s exclusive giant anteaters, the biggest group of African elephants in the United Kingdom, and a greater number of gorillas, leopards, and monkeys than any other zoo in the region, at Howletts Wildlife Park. You’ll definitely enjoy an exciting day out at Howletts, packed with adventure and fun.
Wingham Wildlife Park
Did anyone say red panda? Located on the outskirts of Canterbury, Wingham Wildlife Park is a rapidly expanding wildlife sanctuary in Kent.
As a family-run park, they take great pride in sheltering the most extensive variety of animal species amongst all wildlife parks and zoos in the county. This means you’ll find everything from majestic tigers and elegants, flamingos to fascinating bats and the most endearing little red panda you’ll ever see. One of the best zoos in Kent!
Wildwood Trust
This one is all about English wildlife, so a great one to support. It is one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK; the Wildwood Trust is dedicated to protecting, conserving and rewilding Britain’s wildlife.
They have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, including saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent’s nature reserves and they even managed to bring the extinct European beaver back to Britain!
Impressive much? And if that wasn’t enough, they returned the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct. Definitely one of the best zoos in Kent!
You might be interested in my other Kent blogs:
Best lodges with hot tubs Kent
Quirky and unusual places to stay in Kent
15 best dog friendly beaches in Kent
Best coach day trips and holidays, Kent
Weather in Kent
Kent Weather in January
- Average Temperature: 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: 8
- Sunrise Time: Around 7:50 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 4:30 PM
Kent Weather in February
- Average Temperature: 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy Days: 8
- Daylight Hours: 10
- Sunrise Time: Around 7:10 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 5:20 PM
Kent Weather in March
- Average Temperature: 6°C (43°F)
- Rainy Days: 9
- Daylight Hours: 12
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:20 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:10 PM
Kent Weather in April
- Average Temperature: 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy Days: 9
- Daylight Hours: 14
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 8:00 PM
Kent Weather in May
- Average Temperature: 12°C (54°F)
- Rainy Days: 8
- Daylight Hours: 16
- Sunrise Time: Around 5:10 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 8:50 PM
Kent Weather in June
- Average Temperature: 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy Days: 8
- Daylight Hours: 16
- Sunrise Time: Around 4:50 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 9:20 PM
Kent Weather in July
- Average Temperature: 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy Days: 7
- Daylight Hours: 16
- Sunrise Time: Around 5:00 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 9:00 PM
Kent Weather in August
- Average Temperature: 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy Days: 7
- Daylight Hours: 14
- Sunrise Time: Around 5:40 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 8:20 PM
Kent Weather in September
- Average Temperature: 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy Days: 8
- Daylight Hours: 12
- Sunrise Time: Around 6:20 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 7:00 PM
Kent Weather in October
- Average Temperature: 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: 10
- Sunrise Time: Around 7:00 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 6:00 PM
Kent Weather in November
- Average Temperature: 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: 8
- Sunrise Time: Around 7:40 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 4:20 PM
Kent Weather in December
- Average Temperature: 5°C (41°F)
- Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: 8
- Sunrise Time: Around 8:00 AM
- Sunset Time: Around 4:00 PM
Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
You might be interested in my other Kent blogs:
Best lodges with hot tubs Kent
Quirky and unusual places to stay in Kent
15 best dog friendly beaches in Kent
Best coach day trips and holidays, Kent
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