A couple of weeks ago Lucas and I were invited* to review Sea Life in Manchester and LEGOLAND. I am going to write separately about LEGOLAND. 

 

Sea Life Manchester review Lucas is sat on a ledge in front of a tank of fish

 

The Sea Life centre is situated at the Trafford Centre so it is easily accessible from the motorway and has an incredible amount of free parking. I hadn’t been into Barton Square in the Trafford Centre and it’s fab, there was a beach set up and various fairground rides. It is also the home of the bigger homeware stores in the Trafford Centre.

 

Sea Life Manchester review Lucas is under the opening of a tunnel to walk underneath the fish tank

 

We have been to the Sea Life centre in Blackpool a couple of times and really enjoyed it. The Manchester one is smaller than Blackpool but I didn’t feel as though anything was missing. As you go in, you have your photo taken then queue to start with a talk and show about turtles. It is in a dark room with a small beach set up and using lights, turtles come to life while the staff discusses them. This was a really lovely way to start the centre. I could have actually listened to the lady for a lot longer, the room is so relaxing and she was very informative. Did you know that the temperature of the sand where the turtles are nesting determines the sex of the babies? If the sand is under 26.8°C the babies will be boys, if it is over 26.8°C they will be girls.

 

Sea Life Manchester review Lucas sat colouring

 

After the talk, you continue into the centre where you can find an array of underwater creatures with fab tunnels, walkways and globes for the little ones to explore. Lucas was a lot more se going round here than Blackpool so I think the smaller centre is good for smaller children as it is less overwhelming. The is also a soft play area half way through that Lucas loved. There isn’t a café in the centre but there are vending machines by the soft play if you want to get a snack or drink.

 

Sea Life Manchester review

 

There are lots of special offers online so if you do plan on going, I would recommend you booking before. You can even get a ticket for an adult and toddler (3-5 years) for £15. Under 3’s are free. There are also combination tickets to visit the Sea Life centre and LEGOLAND in the same day. Make sure you get your hand stamped when you go in, this means you can re-enter during the day if you do go to LEGOLAND or want to go into the Trafford Centre for shopping or something to eat x

 

 

#sealifecentre #sealife #aquarium #traffordcentre #manchester

 

We were given admission free of charge for the purpose of this review, it does not influence how I write or my views

25 Comments

25 Comments on Sea Life Manchester review

  1. Louise x (@withlovefromlou)
    September 13, 2017 at 9:08 pm (8 months ago)

    I didn’t know there was a Sea Life Centre in The Trafford Centre! I’m thinking about doing my Christmas Shopping there this year as I haven’t been since I was in my teens. I may have to add this on as a special treat for the kids while we’re there 🙂

    Louise x

    Reply
  2. The Indigo Hours
    September 13, 2017 at 10:21 pm (8 months ago)

    I didn’t know there was a Sea Life at the Trafford Centre, either – what a handy location! It looks like Lucas was loving the soft play 🙂

    Reply
  3. Ingrid
    September 14, 2017 at 7:09 am (8 months ago)

    Hey it’s great to know about that Sea life Centre! I’m a new mum and my baby is too young but she’s still probably like to see the colours and movements of the fish!

    xx
    Ingrid

    Reply
  4. Lottie
    September 14, 2017 at 8:08 am (8 months ago)

    I love a sea life centre! I’ve not been to this one but looks like you had great fun.

    Reply
  5. rhianwestbury
    September 14, 2017 at 9:20 am (8 months ago)

    I do love a good sea life centre but it takes something truly special to excite me about them now as most are all the same x

    Reply
  6. Globalmouse (@globalmouse1)
    September 14, 2017 at 2:48 pm (8 months ago)

    I love Sea Life Centres, they really care about sea creatures and they do so much good as well as being really fun for the kids – this one looks great.

    Reply
  8. The Inner Circle
    September 14, 2017 at 3:30 pm (8 months ago)

    I like the idea of the small tunnels for the kids,it brings everything down to their level so they won’t be overwhelmed by the size of the fish,clever

    Reply
  9. lullabiesandlouboutins
    September 14, 2017 at 5:29 pm (8 months ago)

    Sea Life Manchester looks like such a fun destination for kids. And omg – Lucas is beyond adorable. Looks like you guys had a wonderful afternoon. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Sarah Bailey
    September 14, 2017 at 6:40 pm (8 months ago)

    I used to love going to the Sea Life Centres and it looks like you had a lovely time at the one in Manchester, so much to see and do!

    Reply
  11. Laura Dove
    September 14, 2017 at 6:49 pm (8 months ago)

    I do love the Sea Life Centre but I never feel that there is a lot to do there! It’s not really a day out and yet the cost is still high. We haven’t been to the Manchester one, there are a few down south which are big with penguins and sea lions though!

    Reply
  12. Kara
    September 15, 2017 at 9:29 am (8 months ago)

    We loved Sealife Manchester when we visited. Do they still have the turtle beach at the beginning

    Reply
  13. melissazia90
    September 15, 2017 at 11:07 am (8 months ago)

    Its been ages since I last went to a sea life centre, this sounds great! Sound like you all had a great time

    Reply
  14. Amy
    September 15, 2017 at 11:29 am (8 months ago)

    I loved Sealife Manchester when I visited – it is a great place to take a little one or even for a family day out…. or even just with your partner!

    Reply
  15. kirstyralph13
    September 15, 2017 at 12:47 pm (8 months ago)

    I always loved visiting Sealife but I’ve never been to the Manchester one before. It’s going to be so fun to take my LO when she’s older!

    Reply
  17. Deborah Butler (@SuperBusyMum)
    September 15, 2017 at 4:40 pm (8 months ago)

    I am a big fan of the sealife centre in Blackpool but I’ve never been to the one in Manchester before – I wonder if we’ll ever get one here in Belfast!

    Reply
  18. Ami Rose
    September 15, 2017 at 8:44 pm (8 months ago)

    What a treat getting to go to Sealife. I have one quite local to me but I’ve never been, instead I tend to go when I’m on “holiday” as a treat. Sounds like you had a lovely time. I can’t wait to read about Legoland. I haven’t been there in years!

    Ami xxx

    Reply
  21. Ruxandra
    September 17, 2017 at 10:55 am (8 months ago)

    I love aquariums! Every time I visit a new country I pass by the aquarium – great way to learn more about that region

    Reply
  22. hodgepodgedays
    September 17, 2017 at 9:46 pm (8 months ago)

    This is our local Sea Life Centre. We go quite a lot. I really like going as soon as it opens when it’s really quiet and we are the only people in there. It somehow makes the underwater experience more special.

    Reply
  23. jenny
    September 19, 2017 at 7:04 pm (8 months ago)

    I haven’t visited a Sea Life Centre for ages, this sounds like a great day out.

    Reply
  24. LaaLaa
    September 19, 2017 at 11:00 pm (8 months ago)

    It seems to be a good place, relaxing, educational and a nice enviornment. I’ve never been to sea life before but I enjoy aquariums.

    Reply
  25. Emma
    September 20, 2017 at 7:29 am (8 months ago)

    I didn’t realise they had a Sea Life Centre in the Trafford Centre! It sounds like you had a brilliant day x

    Reply

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