The National Marine Aquarium is the UK’s largest aquarium, located in Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth, on the shores of the UK’s first National Marine Park: Plymouth Sound. We are home to over 4,000 marine animals and are visited by around 30,000 students per year.
As art of their visit to the Aquarium, students will come face to face with animals and habitats from around the world, beginning with an introduction to our native species and Marine Park neighbours, to the colourful characters of the Great Barrier Reef.
We offer two levels of School entry: Self-Guided and Interactive visits. Visiting student cohorts will be given access to facilities, spaces and exhibit areas according to the booking type detailed below.
Self-led ‘Explorer’ Visits (from £5.50 per person)
An Explorer visit to the National Marine Aquarium allows your students to discover the wonders of the Ocean for themselves, focusing on their favourite animals and exhibits.
Included in your experience:
- Entry from 10:00am
- Full access to all aquarium exhibit areas
- Picnic lunch space in the Maritime Garden
- Optional bag storage facilities
“We free roamed and had a superb time. I booked a lunch time area which was great, as we could leave the children’s backpacks there securely while we went around the Aquarium. There was plenty to occupy the children for four hours! All exhausted when we returned to Preschool!” Jane Beard, Buckland Beehive Nursery
Interactive visits (from £8.00 per person)
Our Interactive package is our most popular visit package for students of all ages. Your students will spend the day with a member of our Schools Team, who will guide them round the exhibits, highlighting links to key stage specific curriculum topics and particular points of interest for those continuing their studies beyond the statutory National Curriculum. Our Schools Officer will also lead your students through an OCT Schools Workshop of your choice, each with a particular focus and format that can be fine-tuned to the needs of your group.
Included in your experience:
- Entry from 10:00am
- Full access to all aquarium exhibit areas
- Dedicated lunch space and bag storage facilities within the Learning Centre
- A choice of 90-minute School Workshops (see programme guide for details)
- A choice of 90-minute Aquarium Tours (see programme guide for details)
- You own OCT Schools Officer guide for the day, on hand to help with all aspects of your visit
“Our guide’s energy and ability to engage with the children was inspiring. He did a fantastic job at teaching them new information and the children are still talking about their experience back in the classroom!” Ms Murray, KS2 teacher, Princetown County Primary School
Click below to download further information about visiting the National Marine Aquarium with your school group, including detailed Learning Outcomes and National Curriculum links for each of our activities.
To book, or for more information: Call us at 01752 275 233 or email learning@oceanconservationtrust.org