Ilfracombe Aquarium
Ilfracombe Aquarium
4
About
This exciting and award winning, all weather, educational attraction provides a fascinating insight into the watery world of North Devon. The aquarium houses a diverse collection of local aquatic life in beautifully recreated natural habitats. The exhibits provide visitors with a unique zoned journey experience starting from the source of an Exmoor stream, down river to an estuary, local rockpool, Ilfracombe Harbour to Lundy and its marine reserve. Complimentary children's quizzes following fun trails are offered on entry.The aquarium also has a funky fish gift shop and a cafe, selling locally sourced delicious items.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
88 within 3 miles
Attractions
66 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Jamie RHorley, United Kingdom11 contributionsVery GoodA small aquarium but feel that price reflects this. Friendly staff on hand with lots of interesting information. Plenty of types of sea life on show. Our baby loved staring at the little starfish in the ceiling tank!Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 11, 2024
- Kittykoochie271 contributionsOk for 20 mins out of the rainThis needs a separate entrance to the cafe. The queue to go into the aquarium blocks serving staff and their route in the cafe. Not helped by the staff member on the ticket desk having to give a long introduction speech before you can go in. Other families were selfish and blocked displays for too long. A way of keeping people moving is needed. Most of the displays were good though. Not a long activity, maybe 20-30 minutesVisited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 10, 2024
- Michelle C2 contributionsFantastic small aquariumMyself and my husband thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. We spent about an hour wandering around, learned plenty of interesting facts, and got some great photos. The staff are really friendly and knowledgeable. It's a great way to raise awareness about our waterways and seas. Highly recommended!!Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 10, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
855 reviews
Excellent
380
Very good
284
Average
110
Poor
43
Terrible
38
David C
17 contributions
Apr 2021
A Cafe taking CoVid regulations seriously as well as giving great service and delicious food. A great spot on the harbour by Damien Hurst’s statue. Everyone was making the effort to ensure check and trace was followed sanitised chairs and tables every time they were vacated full masks on the staff and after all that good coffee and cakes. I would highly recommend this location to anyone visiting Ilfracombe with seats both downstairs and upstairs on the mezzanine level.
Written April 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda A
Exmouth, UK1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
My Husband & I visited the aquarium on Good Friday & were amazed at the number & variety of the fish. The story of their journey is well told & the staff were very knowledgeable & friendly, nothing was too much trouble. We were particularly impressed with the conservation work being conducted, this elevated the aquarium from being very good to excellent. The food was reasonably priced & delicious (we had the award winning sausage rolls). All in all a very pleasant 2 hours was spent here & the old adage “you are never too old to learn “ is particularly apt. Well worth a visit, whether with young children or young at heart! Do not be put off by the size from the outside, this aquarium is amazing & will not disappoint.
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham S
Southport, UK127 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Very interesting insight into our own rivers and coastal waters. The staff are extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
The visit is quite short and can get very busy and could possibly benefit from stricter control on visitor numbers but the overall experience is very good and excellent value for money.
The visit is quite short and can get very busy and could possibly benefit from stricter control on visitor numbers but the overall experience is very good and excellent value for money.
Written September 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sari P
5 contributions
Aug 2022
Amazing
Staff were brilliant, kept us informed as to the waiting time to go in, very cheerful. Height of summer season
Once inside they were very helpful and knowledgeable, very happy to talk to you and explain things, we’re able to answer our questions,.
Very child friendly, gave the children stools to stand on so they could see into the tanks, a small quiz to do while going round, (age appropriate)
Well worth the money
Very interesting
Would definitely go again
Staff were brilliant, kept us informed as to the waiting time to go in, very cheerful. Height of summer season
Once inside they were very helpful and knowledgeable, very happy to talk to you and explain things, we’re able to answer our questions,.
Very child friendly, gave the children stools to stand on so they could see into the tanks, a small quiz to do while going round, (age appropriate)
Well worth the money
Very interesting
Would definitely go again
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Midlandsman56
Mansfield, UK525 contributions
May 2021
On Wednesday 26th May 2021, me my wife and 16 year old son with autism popped in to the cafe, the waitress asked if we could sanatise our hands and follow the one way system t our table, I then scanned the bar code thing. Me and the wife had the Cheese Scone with coffees whllst my son had carrot cake and a drink of coke. For its prime position next to the harbour, thought it was quite cheap. All thee staff were very friendly and all spoke nicely to my son who kept telling them dad jokes. We will be back again
Written May 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HamptonKex
Hampton199 contributions
Mar 2022
This is a quaint little aquarium run by enthusiastic staff who are keen to explain the various fish/exhibits.
When we visited, they weren't taking admission fees but all donations were being given to the DEC Ukraine fund which was a great idea.
Got round fairly quickly, but there's a friendly cafe attached with scones and other snacks.
When we visited, they weren't taking admission fees but all donations were being given to the DEC Ukraine fund which was a great idea.
Got round fairly quickly, but there's a friendly cafe attached with scones and other snacks.
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TML
Bristol, UK832 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
I would say this is a good visit if you have young children to entertain, it is very small, we paid ÂŁ15.50 for 2 adults and a 2 year old, our 2 year old did enjoy the aquarium and there was some tanks at great eye level for her to see, she was happy to go back and forth a few times and we probably spent about 40 minutes here.
The staff were all friendly.
I feel we were lucky as we had the place to ourselves but the price is a bit steep if it was a busier time as the viewing would be restricted and the place really isn’t that big. I would just bare this in mind.
Informative about local fish.
The staff were all friendly.
I feel we were lucky as we had the place to ourselves but the price is a bit steep if it was a busier time as the viewing would be restricted and the place really isn’t that big. I would just bare this in mind.
Informative about local fish.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise l
31 contributions
Apr 2023
I thought this aquarium is very expensive for its size, Its absolutely tiny, there's only about 10 tanks spread out in a couple of rooms but if you know that in advance obviously its your choice wether to pay it or not.
Having said that, what there is, is very well done.
Great location in the harbour, parking right outside, free toilets right outside the main doors. Lots of eateries next to it but it does have a lovely little cafe and tiny gift shop inside it.
Staff are knowledgeable and friendly, there's quizs for the younger kids and an advanced one for older kids, every tank has informative boards next to it and staff ready to chat.
Nice to see wildlife native to Devon and the local area.
Having said that, what there is, is very well done.
Great location in the harbour, parking right outside, free toilets right outside the main doors. Lots of eateries next to it but it does have a lovely little cafe and tiny gift shop inside it.
Staff are knowledgeable and friendly, there's quizs for the younger kids and an advanced one for older kids, every tank has informative boards next to it and staff ready to chat.
Nice to see wildlife native to Devon and the local area.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hayzi
Oxford, UK89 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Went here for a quick stop on a rainy day. There is limited parking as Ilfracombe was packed, but it is school holidays so expected. Ended up some way away but got up the step count. Easy to find and signposted well.
This is a really small aquarium but has a lot to offer. It takes you on a journey from the top of Exmoor down to the sea and gives plenty of information throughout. You could easily go round in 10 minutes but we spent around an hour with the 2 boys who were gripped by the fish and crustaceans on display. They loved looking for the octopus!
Staff were great, had good knowledge and answered questions.
Maybe the entry fee was a little high for the size but it’s an independent business so I’m not averse to paying a little more.
A really good way to spend some time in Ilfracombe and inspired some rock pooling too!
This is a really small aquarium but has a lot to offer. It takes you on a journey from the top of Exmoor down to the sea and gives plenty of information throughout. You could easily go round in 10 minutes but we spent around an hour with the 2 boys who were gripped by the fish and crustaceans on display. They loved looking for the octopus!
Staff were great, had good knowledge and answered questions.
Maybe the entry fee was a little high for the size but it’s an independent business so I’m not averse to paying a little more.
A really good way to spend some time in Ilfracombe and inspired some rock pooling too!
Written July 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trevor
1 contribution
Jul 2020 • Couples
Couldn't wait to revist the cafe at Ilfracombe Aquarium following the covid lock down. Whilst the actual aquarium remains closed with a major extention and refurbishment in progress, the cafe and shop are back open.
As always, excellent coffee on offer with a slightly slimed down food menu. But still serving fantastic pasties, sausage rolls and cream teas, as well as cakes and cookies. Staff extremely friendly and helpful and obviously very COVID aware and taking every possible precaution.
Good coffee, lovely pastie all on the side of Ilfracombe's pretty harbour.
Wants not to like.
As always, excellent coffee on offer with a slightly slimed down food menu. But still serving fantastic pasties, sausage rolls and cream teas, as well as cakes and cookies. Staff extremely friendly and helpful and obviously very COVID aware and taking every possible precaution.
Good coffee, lovely pastie all on the side of Ilfracombe's pretty harbour.
Wants not to like.
Written July 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
less than a fiver. Cost ÂŁ16 for 2 adults, 2 children.
Written May 31, 2017
Is there a car park or parking nearby? Free or at a charge? Thanks
Written February 21, 2017
Pier parking (NDDC -local authority) 60p/hour ÂŁ1.60/day currently until mid march then ÂŁ1.10/hour through summer.
Is most convenient otherwise 5mins walk to long stay on south Cove side of harbour also Ropery Road car park & St Philip & St James' car park resonably priced.
We will look forward to welcoming you..
Written February 22, 2017
Showing results 1-4 of 4
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing