The Lake District Coastal Aquarium can be found at Maryport, a half hour drive from Keswick. At the Lake District Coastal Aquarium, also known as Maryport Aquarium, you can discover the amazing underwater world of Cumbria’s seas and coasts.
Set in the heart of the refurbished Maryport Harbour, the new purpose built Aquaria contains over 35 creative displays, specialising in native British aquatic life.
There are fresh water displays, where you can see Trout and Perch in a large rock pool with cascading waterfalls. The display for the Solway Estuary contains Grey Mullet and Flounder. A large display recreates Maryport’s harbour wall, where you can experience being ‘underwater’ and see fish which come in with the tide – Whiting, Dog Fish and Lobsters.
There are over 2,000 specimens, with approximately 150 different species of local aquatic life, in over 35 display tanks. In the rock pool, you are allowed to make contact with some of the inhabitants.
In the ray pool, the favourite with most visitors, gentle stroking of the rays is allowed. There is a restaurant, with superb views over the harbour and Solway, and a shop selling a variety of local gifts and marine related items.
Outside, to the rear of Maryport Aquarium, there is a good children’s adventure playground with a nautical theme. Plenty of parking is available on the Quay to the front of the Aquarium.
If you like to catch fish as well as learn about them visit the Coastal Bait & Tackle shop inside the Aquarium. Here you can hire or buy rods and tackle, and buy live bait.
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