Horniman Aquarium

The basement aquarium at The Horniman follows a long history of marine life at the museum. Sealife has been on display here since 1903 when the Marine and Freshwater Aquaria opened, following in the tradition of the world's largest aquarium down the road at Crystal Palace. In 2006 the museum's £1.5m state of the art aquarium opened bringing newts, frogs and fish back to the museum founded by naturalist Frederick Horniman. The phantom-like world of the jellyfish is created with moon jellyfish floating in a tank with specially simulated ocean currents. British pond life is here in a mini-universe of rock pools with seahorses and crabs concealed in the depths. Then head to exotic climes where gorgeous corals, murky mangroves and the alien creatures of the South American rainforest swim about. Well thought out activity sheets are available to help kids explore the colourful underwater world.