Blue Planet Aquarium facts for kids
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Sand tiger shark at the aquarium
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| Date opened | 31 July 1998 |
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| Location | Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England |
| Land area | 8,000 m2 (86,000 sq ft) |
| Volume of largest tank | 4,000,000 L (1,100,000 US gal) |
| Memberships | BIAZA |
The Blue Planet Aquarium is a fantastic place to explore the underwater world! It is a large aquarium located in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England. You can find it near the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet shopping area.
When it first opened in July 1998, the Blue Planet Aquarium was the biggest aquarium in the United Kingdom. It was even opened by Queen Elizabeth II herself! Today, it is still the largest aquarium in the North West of England. The building was designed to look like a giant crashing wave.
The main goal of the aquarium is to help people learn about the ocean and freshwater environments. They want to make learning fun and exciting, while also teaching how to protect these important places.
Contents
Exploring the Aquarium
Inside the Blue Planet Aquarium, you will find many different tanks and pools. There are also special underwater tunnels that let you walk right through the exhibits. These areas are designed to show you various habitats from around the world.
Amazing Underwater Tunnel
One of the most exciting parts is the main aquarium tank. It holds a massive 4 million litres (about 1 million gallons) of water! This huge tank features a 71-meter (233-foot) long underwater tunnel. As you walk through it, you'll feel like you're right in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by incredible sea creatures.
Different Water Worlds
The aquarium has several themed areas to explore. You can visit "Tropical Rivers" to see fish from warm rivers, or "Lakes and Ponds" to discover creatures from freshwater habitats. The "Where Land Meets the Sea" area shows you animals that live near the coast. Finally, "Seas and Oceans" takes you deep into the marine world.
Meet the Animals
The Blue Planet Aquarium is home to many different kinds of fish. You'll see both marine (saltwater) and freshwater species. It's especially famous for having more types of sharks than any other place in Britain! Besides fish, the aquarium also cares for various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Awards and Recognition
The Blue Planet Aquarium has received awards for its amazing experiences. For example, its special "shark dive" experience won the "Best Tourism Experience of the Year" award in 2010. This shows how much visitors enjoy learning about and interacting with the marine life there.
