If you think of visiting London you probably don’t immediately think fish, unless they are in batter, but London does have a world-class aquarium right on the banks of the iconic River Thames.
The Aquarium is correctly known as Sea Life London Aquarium, part of the chain of Sea Life centres and one of the biggest aquatic collections in Europe. The Aquarium has over 500 species of fish and over 2 million litres of water, sitting, unexpectedly, beneath the historic and beautiful County Hall building. It’s next door to the awesome London Eye and almost directly opposite The Houses of Parliament.
The way the fish are displayed is imaginative and exciting. Kids loved walking on glass over the tanks and lying on their backs in glass bubbles to look up at the elasmobranchs.
Well thought out tank structures, a whale skeleton and submerged Easter Island Moai, were also a hit with the kids, and me, truth be told. I’m a sucker for fish.
London’s aquarium is a great educational resource, particularly in conservation issues. They’re big fans of sharks at the centre, so are we. I’d like to see these misunderstood creatures grow a bigger fan base and for the slaughter to stop. It’s not just the finning industry, drum lines and shark nets also contribute to the sharks’ demise.