Hastings Aquarium sits on Rock-a-Nore Road at the eastern end of the Old Town, among the net shops and the fishing beach, and it is a small independent aquarium rather than a national one.
Knowing that in advance makes the difference between enjoying it and being disappointed, because the two most common reactions — “lovely, plenty to see” and “very small for the price” — are both describing the same place accurately.
Marine and tropical tanks across a couple of floors, with a good range: reef fish, rays, seahorses, jellyfish, native Channel species, octopus, and a shark tunnel.
Reptiles and amphibians — snakes, lizards, frogs — which is not what the name promises and is a genuine part of the collection.
A touch pool, and feeding and talk sessions through the day.
The tanks are well maintained and the displays are well decorated, which visitors mention consistently, and there is a lot of written information — more than most small aquariums bother with.
The staff are the strongest asset: knowledgeable, happy to talk, and good with children. For an independent attraction that matters more than square footage.
There is a saver ticket which is not always volunteered at the desk, and visitors who found out about it afterwards are noticeably less happy than those who asked. Ask what combinations are available before you buy — there are also arrangements with other Hastings attractions.
Carers go free, and no proof of disability is required, which is a good policy well applied.
This needs stating because it is the aquarium’s real weakness.
The building is compact and the shark tunnel cannot be used by wheelchair users or by anyone using a cane, which excludes the centrepiece. Getting round with a disability buggy is described as hard, particularly when busy, and busy is normal in school holidays and on wet days.
If accessibility matters, ring ahead and ask specifically about the route, because the general “accessible” designation does not tell the whole story here.
Under-tens on a wet afternoon, primarily. An hour, sometimes ninety minutes, with talks and feeds if you time it.
It is also a sensible pairing with the free museums a minute away, which together make a proper half-day on Rock-a-Nore without a long walk.
Admission charged; ask about saver and combination tickets.
Time: an hour to ninety minutes.
Facilities: café — the drinks are, by common report, unremarkable — shop, toilets.
Location: Rock-a-Nore Road, five minutes from the Old Town, next to the East Hill Lift.
Parking: the Rock-a-Nore car park is alongside.
No outdoor animals — it is entirely indoors, which is the point on a wet day.
The Stade and the net shops — the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe, and the black tarred net huts, immediately outside.
The Fishermen’s Museum and the Shipwreck Museum, both free, are a minute away.
The East Hill Cliff Railway, the steepest funicular in Britain, is next door.
Fresh fish is sold from the huts on the beach.
Small — an independent aquarium of a couple of floors. Set expectations accordingly and it is enjoyable.
There is a saver ticket and combination options, but they are not always offered. Ask at the desk before buying.
Only partly. The shark tunnel cannot be used with a wheelchair or a cane, and the building is tight when busy. Ring ahead.
No — carers go free, and no proof of disability is required.
The net shops, two free museums, the East Hill Lift and the fishing beach, all within a couple of minutes.