In a nutshell

Sea Life Brighton opened in 1872 and is the oldest working aquarium in the world, although it is now part of the SeaLife chain and branded and marketed with all the hallmarks of a global franchise. Set underground, near the pier, the beautiful vaulted granite and marble hall is a wonder in itself. It is home to more than 150 different sea creatures, from sharks to sea horses, in waters from tropical rainforest to the cold north Atlantic. The new Secrets of the Reef exhibit has got more Finding Nemo clownfish than you could throw a Pixar script at – discover how fiercely territorial they are about their anemone home. Or you can tickle a crab and stroke a starfish at the interactive pool.

Best thing about it

The 170,000-gallon lagoon contains a 76-year-old giant turtle, a giant ray, and 13 sharks that you can float above in a glass-bottomed boat – or look up at through a glass tunnel that runs below.

Fun fact

The most dangerous creatures in the tank are not the sharks – they would most likely be frightened of you – but the fantastically named foxface rabbitfish, a pretty little thing with yellow and black marking that has spines on its back that release a venom the equivalent of a very nasty bee sting.

What about lunch?

The cafe does a kids’ lunch deal for £4.95 – bagel, smoothie, crisps, fruit.

Exit through the gift shop?

There’s only one way to surface…

Value for money?

Book online and save up to 30%. The £11.50 ticket gets you a 15% discount in the gift shop, and under threes are free. The £14.50 ticket includes the Behind the Scenes tour.

Getting there

Brighton railway station is a 10-15 minute walk away. All car routes into Brighton lead to the seafront and there is street and multi-storey parking nearby. Open 10am-6pm every day, last entry 5pm, visitsealife.com/brighton

The verdict

8/10