Blue Planet Aquarium facts for kids
Sand tiger shark at the aquarium
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| Date opened | 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 an exciting place to visit in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England. It is home to many amazing sea and freshwater creatures. When it first opened in July 1998, it was the biggest aquarium in the UK. It is still the largest in North West England.
The building cost £12 million to build. Its unique design looks like a giant crashing wave. The aquarium's main goal is to help people learn about the ocean. It aims to make learning fun and interactive, showing how important it is to protect our marine world.
Contents
Exploring the Blue Planet Aquarium
Inside the Blue Planet Aquarium, you will find many different tanks and pools. There are also special underwater tunnels. These areas are designed to show you various ocean and river environments. You can explore different habitats and see how animals live there.
The Giant Ocean Tank
The main attraction is a huge tank that holds 4 million litres (about 1 million gallons) of water. This tank is so big that it has a 71-metre (233-foot) underwater tunnel. As you walk through the tunnel, you will feel like you are right inside the ocean! You can watch sharks and other large fish swim all around you.
Amazing Animals to Discover
The aquarium has many types of marine and freshwater fish. It is especially famous for having more kinds of sharks than any other place in Britain. Besides fish, you can also see other animals. These include different mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Some of the themed areas you can explore include:
- Tropical Rivers: Discover colourful fish from warm rivers.
- Lakes and Ponds: See creatures that live in calmer waters.
- Where Land Meets the Sea: Learn about animals that live near the coast.
- Seas and Oceans: Explore the vast underwater world of the open ocean.
Awards and Recognition
The Blue Planet Aquarium has received awards for its amazing experiences. In 2010, its special shark dive won the "Best Tourism Experience of the Year" award. This was part of the Visit Chester and Cheshire Awards.
