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 Manchester.
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.
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.
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.
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
25 Comments on Sea Life Manchester review
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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
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 🙂
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
I love a sea life centre! I’ve not been to this one but looks like you had great fun.
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
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.
I love the Sea Life centres – so much to see and such a lovely day out for the family
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
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.
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!
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!
We loved Sealife Manchester when we visited. Do they still have the turtle beach at the beginning
Its been ages since I last went to a sea life centre, this sounds great! Sound like you all had a great time
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!
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!
I really need to take my daughter to Sea Life one day… I think she’d love it!
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!
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
What a funtastic place to vist. I’ve heard really great things about LegoLand.
I absolutely love the Sea Life centres, great fun for all the family 🙂
I love aquariums! Every time I visit a new country I pass by the aquarium – great way to learn more about that region
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.
I haven’t visited a Sea Life Centre for ages, this sounds like a great day out.
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.
I didn’t realise they had a Sea Life Centre in the Trafford Centre! It sounds like you had a brilliant day x