The London Aquarium is on the South bank of the river Thames, right next to the London Eye. Not far from Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament.
How to Get There
Bus - Tourist will find the open-topped ‘London Bus’ a great introduction to the capital, and all the London sightseeing busses pick up and drop off near the aquarium
Train - Waterloo East is the nearest mainline train station (follow the exit signs for the South Bank and walk towards the London Eye).
Tube - Westminster Tube Station is also nearby (exit onto Westminster Bridge and then cross it to the South Bank).
Aquatic Habitats
400 species of fish and invertebrates are kept in 14 different ‘zones’. Each of these zones simulates a different habitat – such as Coral Reefs, Mangrove Swamps and Tropical Freshwater – and it is possible to take a ‘Virtual Tour’ on the website to learn more about each of these habitats.
Education at the London Aquarium
Much effort is put into educating the public about the aquatic environment, and Special Events are regularly advertised on the site, and in 2007 almost half the ticket revenue will be given to four conservation groups:
- Marine Conservation Society
- Shark Trust
- Project Seahorse
- Thames21
Group Tours
If more than ten people are travelling together it is possible to pre-book a group tour, and you can even have the tour ‘tailored’ to your special interests. It is also good to know that 25% is saved by booking online!
Eating Out
OZU – the Japanese Restaurant located in the same building as the aquarium – allows you to eat in style after your visit, and tables can be reserved online in advance. This, however, is not cheap – most Londoners and many tourists prefer to eat in pubs. London pub food is very good, and since popular places will almost certainly be crowded you can have a beer while you wait!
Other London Attractions
It will probably take several days to ‘do’ London, so it is difficult to know where to begin. Since the London Eye gives a great view over Westminster and the City of London, it is a good place to start. (Webcam) The open-topped bus tours pass most of the big attractions, and after that ‘second stage’ chosen places can be visited. Black Cab (taxi) drivers are very knowledgeable, and their extraordinary ability to weave their way through London traffic makes taxis the quickest way to get from place-to-place – but they are not cheap, so the more energetic might prefer to walk!
The best plan is to start at the London Aquarium, and then ‘take it from there’. (See blog)
Other articles by John Blatchford
