We had a holiday in Staffordshire recently, and got ourselves a season pass for Alton Towers. We visited several times that week. Instead of heading straight for the big rides each time we looked around a bit more. We sort of knew there was an aquarium there, but nothing prepared us for the scale of the Sealife Centre in the centre of Alton Towers, Sharkbait Reef!
The wonderfully brightly coloured fish are all over when you first go in. Huge tanks full of coral and shipwrecks are teeming with them. There are starfish stuck to the tank sides which are quite impressive, and shoals of a variety of other fish.
There are plenty of sharks at Sharkbait Reef. You can see into the side of the shark tank from a couple of different directions. The shark tank tunnel is a great way to feel immersed in this underwater world as well. In addition to the sharks you have huge manta rays and fat catfish in there.
As you’d expect at Alton Towers, everything is themed magnificently but tastefully. There’s also attention to detail when making it an experience to remember for guests, and animal welfare is obviously high on their list too. There are exhibits where you can get very close to the fish, and you can even hold the starfish (under supervision) as well.
All around there is information about the species, conservation, and threats to the wildlife. Above all this is an educational experience, but one which is hugely enjoyable for everybody. Sharkbait Reef would be an excellent standalone tourist attraction which would be worthwhile. Hidden inside Alton Towers it is a gem of a place which you should take the time to experience while at the park – it is better than the Smiler or Nemesis.
