Falmouth Aquarium

With all this weather and talk of what to do in the rain the forthcoming opening of the new Falmouth Aquarium cannot come soon enough for visitors and residents of Falmouth.

For several months behind the well covered bay windows of 23,Church Street Falmouth there has been a bubbling hive of activity. No it isn’t a new aquarium shop as many keep asking, it is a four storey visitor attraction that offers a diverse learning experience for visitors, families and local school children.

It is difficult to write about entering the Aquarium without being somewhat cliché. Stepping in from the busy street in the centre of town really is rather like stepping into another world. Calm descends and all that can be heard is the bubble and trickle of water from the tanks. Next, the visual impact of colour from corals, plants and fish WOW! It took a full ten minutes of watching Seahorses playing (yes playing), in the water jets of their tank before I remembered why I was there.

The Visual Impact of Colour Is Amazing

Johanna and Barry exude energy and are working tirelessly and passionately to bring a vision they both share and discussed only as recently as November 2011 to life. Since then Johanna has used all her contacts and knowledge from her time as a fundraiser for marine conservation while Barry has employed his business knowledge as a diving school owner and investment banker. Now only a few weeks away from opening, Falmouth can boast an attraction that will educate, entertain and bring a new dimension to Falmouth.

Over four storeys the aquarium will use tangible exhibits, contemporary technology and visual examples to educate visitors about their immediate marine world and those from around the world. The work of local artists will decorate the walls alongside a number of telling images donated by a number of wildlife trusts and organisations.

Family evenings are being planned to encourage quality time with children parents and carers and the opportunity to learn together. There is a stunning relaxed learning area high in the rafters and on the second floor the chance to see students and professionals conducting research in a purpose built lab.

Quality Family Time

There are fossils, skeletons and a genius use of ping pong balls. Visitors can learn about what is happening underneath Prince of Wales pier or how our native basking sharks are being monitored. Exhibits of the weird the beautiful and the breathtaking will captivate while introducing visitors to the secret world under the sea. Who knew there was such a creature as a ‘FrogFish’?

Who knew these guys existed?

A wealth of information through a variety of media has been drawn together under one roof from organisations all over the world. All of this has come at the expense of Johanna & Barry and the generosity of like minded organisations. ‘The aquarium is always changing and evolving there will always be something new to see and do. Engaging and involving the local community is important to the aquariums existence’. –Johanna

If my wonderful sneak preview was anything to go by their vision is more than certainly going to be Falmouth’s gain.

Opening in August 2012 Follow Falmouth Aquarium on Facebook and Twitter

LOCATION: 23 Church St, FalmouthTR11 3EG
HOURS: The aquarium is open daily from 10:00 am until 5pm

ADMISSION RATES:
£4.95Adult (16+)
£3.85 Child (3-15 years)

Free entry for children under 3 years old
Family discount: £15.40 (2 children and 2 adults)
Group rates available for 10 or more

 And of course Follow Visit Falmouth on Facebook & Twitter and we will keep you updated.