We went to visit the London Aquarium which is located in County Hall next to the London Eye.
As you enter the aquarium, you cross over a glass floor with sharks swimming underneath you, and that sets the scene for what you are going to experience here. There is a brilliant variety of sea creatures from leafy sea dragons up to sand tiger sharks (James's favourite). All the tanks are set at different levels and visible for even the youngest viewers. There is a touch pool where you can feel star fish, and various interactive displays and information boards telling you all about the creatures you are seeing. The boys enjoyed the walk through tank which had a clear tunnel where you could watch rays, bonnet head sharks and other fish swim over you. There is also a new interactive experience which makes it appear that an orca is splashing about in front of you and a polar bear and cub walk in front of you too. This was a hit with the kids especially as when you walked along the floor ice appeared to crack under your feet. In this area there was also a hurricane simulator capsule which was great fun. The Aquarium is well located next to many other attractions and is very easy to find. After our visit we headed to Jubilee gardens which is in front of the London Eye. It was a good spot for a picnic, has a good play area for the children and had lots of musicians and street entertainers in the area adding some atmosphere. We then took a ride on the London Eye. Its the second time the boys have been on it, the last being when they were a lot younger. Before you board you go into the visitors centre where you watch a short 4d film (about 5 minutes long), about the eye where you feel rain on you, snow falls on you and the floor vibrates etc. It was a fun way to get the boys enthused about going on the eye and whilst we were waiting to watch it there was a short video about the construction of the eye. We then boarded the London Eye. We had fast track tickets and if you are visiting at the weekend or any other busy time I'd highly recommend getting them, as the queues can be massive and we waited about 2 mins in total so was worth it. The "flight" on the London Eye lasts about 25 mins for a full rotation and your pod is air conditioned and has interactive terminals that can tell you what you are looking at if you are unsure. It goes without saying that the views were great !! |
About Me.I'm Ruth. A mum to two boys and a believer of learning through experiencing. Archives
October 2016
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