The Lake District Coast Aquarium has proven over the years to be a valuable educational resource for students of all ages and abilities as well as being a fun and exciting day out. We host many school / college groups each year, while we also cater for birthday parties and business meetings.

The spacious Wild Solway meeting room space can be booked for £16 per hour (min 3 hours), or £95 for a full day for business groups, with plenty of seating and tables to accommodate up to 35 people. The same space can be converted into a party room for birthdays. The video projector and audio system is ideal for presentations / music etc.

Our guided tours offer a unique experience where you can observe and engage with many different species of fish; we have over 50 different species ranging from those native to the Solway to those inhabiting warmer climates. Below is an example run-through of an educational visit. Please click on the 'Birthday Groups' and 'Function Room' icons for more details about those specific services.

EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL VISITS - What do you see and do?

(Please note visits are slightly different with Covid safety measures - please call for details. 

Arrival
There is free coach parking on the large pay & display car park as well as free parking for smaller coaches in our private car park by the Adventure Playground.

Welcome at Reception
When you arrive, please make it known to a member of staff at reception. You will then be introduced to your aquarist(s) for the day and taken to our Wild Solway Theatre Room where your personal belongings can be left.

Short Film
We offer a variety of short films that we show before beginning the tour. These range from 10 minutes to 25 minutes and are shown in our Wild Solway Theatre Room.

Explore the Aquarium (not guided during current Covid measures)
Accompanied by your aquarist, you will be guided throughout the aquarium and given all sorts of facts and information relating to the exhibits, habitats and animals you meet throughout the aquarium. Tours usually last around 1 hour. Depending on group size, you may be asked to split into smaller groups allowing more interaction between student and aquarist during the tour.

Touch Pool Talks
Learn more about seashore life and interact with rock pool critters and rays in our rock pool & ray pool touch pools.

Time in the Gift Shop
Our gift shop is packed full of souvenirs to suit all ages and pockets.

Play Park & Harbour Walks
Our “Shiver Me Timbers” adventure playpark s situated near the entrance of the Wild Solway Exhibition. There are also paths that take you around the dock and marina should you wish to take your group(s) on a walk during your visit.

Lunch
You are welcome to bring your own food to the aquarium which you can eat in our Wild Solway Theatre Room or during pleasant weather you are welcome to use the picnic benches that are located outside on the play park. There are also large grassy areas surrounding the park where you can enjoy a picnic.

Additionally
We also have additional quizzes & activities available that can be used during your tour or after your tour should you wish to go around the aquarium again.

Party Groups

Exhibits

Watch a Film

Cafe / Restaurant