A brand new attraction called Sea Stars at the National Sealife Centre, Birmingham opened this Easter and my family popped along to meet the new nautical recruits. We were expecting a brilliant day out (who doesn’t love seeing wondrous sea creatures) but did the new exhibit and the centre as a whole live up to our expectations?
I actually had the perfect outfit lined up for my trip, this is a 1960s vintage Lobster and Crab dress with matching jacket! Unfortunately the weather was conspiring against us, it rained cats and dogs (or starfish and seahorse) the wind was intense and our sat nav basically lied. Thankfully the Sealife Centre is well signposted and we got there in the end. The centre is entirely indoors (and safe from the rain!) with a walkway design, which means you never feel crowded or hemmed in no matter how many people appear to be there.
These extremely cute penguins greet you as soon as you walk in. I could write a whole post just about these guys but they weren’t the ‘stars’ we came to see that day.
Along the walkway we met some exceedingly friendly fish and shrimp who posed when I pointed my camera in their direction. They were probably saying something akin to ‘No pictures!’ or maybe they just love the limelight. Although this little fellow in the next picture definitely looked nervous!
About half way round the centre you come to the brand new Sea Stars exhibit and it’s wonderful! Starfish have an enduring appeal all of their own, their shape and style sets them apart from other aquatic creatures. While their slow movement gives them the appearance of a laidback and likable nature. But little did we know they came in so many sizes and varieties! Here you can get up close and personal with some of the more unusual kinds. Pop your head inside a bubble to see starfish from a brand new perspective.
We marvelled at this fashion conscious fellow with his funky red spikes.
And if you ever wondered what a starfish feels like to touch (rubber if you ask me) you can even stroke one in a small pool.
If you thought starfish were small, then it’s time to think again, we met the ultimate King of the Starfish! I never dreamt they could grow so large.
There were many more varieties who resembled suns, sponges and much more! Information points were dotted around the animals and if you weren’t a fan of starfish before I can guarantee you will be by the time you leave, or at the very least you’ll have a whole new respect for them.
Just after Sea Stars we spied some amazing jelly fish floating about in their tanks. Considering the sting these chaps can inflict they really are very graceful.
Extremely playful rays (I love those guys!).
The cutest frog ever!
The Sealife Centre even have otters (who were fast asleep) but given that they were sleeping in the most adorable way I think we can forgive them taking a morning nap.
Of course there’s also the famous sea tunnel where the public walk through a humongous tank filled with sharks, rays, fish and even a giant turtle.
If I had to sum up a visit to the National Sealife Centre and what you should expect I would say this:
Take a camera (but no flash please, we don’t want to scare anyone) and expect to spend a good part of your day going ‘Ooooh, aaaaahhhh’ and pointing like a toddler at everything and anything. Give yourself time to enjoy the exhibits and read the information available (I’m very bad at this, I tend to skip about in sheer delight at the animals). Despite being a busy weekend I found the keepers and staff to be enthusiastic and helpful, we appreciated their work which meant we could meet these wondrous creatures from the deep.
We hope we can go back soon and watch some of the animals for feeding time or other displays, but I’d definitely recommend a visit. I don’t think this one is just for the kids either, adults are equally pleased by the displays. Of course that means I’ll have to find a new sea themed outfit….
For now I’ll leave you with a short video showing some of the fun we had
So jelly, I want your dress! Lurve those penguins, so sweet, I never knew they had them at Sealife
Aww thanks 🙂 The penguins weren’t there the last time I visited but that was a long time ago now. Abi
Wow those starfish were beautiful – especially their colour.
I love the way penguins swim & I adore turtles too. It amazes me they all swim around the same tank as sharks and all get along haha.
Me too Lisa, I’m guessing they keep them all well fed 🙂 I’ll have to ask on our next visit. Abi
What an amazing day out! I love the nautical themed dress, the star fish were stunning. I agree, it looks a great day out for the whole family. Definitely worth looking into, thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks, yeah definitely worth a visit 🙂
What fantastic photos, makes me want to go there.
Thanks 🙂 They were very photogenic animals too
I love sealife places and these pictures are beautiful. I’ll definitely visit there if I’m ever in Birmingham. We’ve been to the London aquarium and that was fab, apart from the queue to get in!
I hate queues! There was a bit of a queue here but if people had prebooked (which I think is cheaper anyway) they whizzed in and I really didn’t notice it being crowded but I think it’s the design of the place.
That looks like a brilliant day out! Our closest Sealife Centre is Brighton and we have been there quite a few times, this post has made me want to go back asap!
P.S The dress is amazing!
Thanks 🙂 I’ve never been to the Brighton one, I wonder if it is much different, will have to go when I’m next in that part of the world.
Lovely post, it’s such a fun day out for all the family 🙂
Thank you 🙂 it’s a great day out
fab post!! love the pictures, looks like a fun day out x
Thanks 🙂
What a fantastic sounding day out – I always used to love visiting the Sea Life Centre. x
Me too 🙂
I love sea creatures; they are always so unusual and colourful. The Sea Life Centre is a perfect destination for a great day out.
Me too, they’re so beautiful to watch 🙂
Abi
We love Sealife centres, amazing places. That starfish is enormous! Great pics too btw.
Thanks 🙂 He really was humongous, I had no idea they could be that big before
Abi
So many wonderful creatures to see there aren’t there? Love visiting Sea Life Centres.
Definitely 🙂
Let me start by saying I love your dress – too cute!
I love a sea life centre, I could spend hours just watching fish and sea creatures. A lovely post with gorge pictures too, what a great day out x
Thanks 🙂 there’s something very peaceful about watching sea creatures isn’t there
Abi
We love visiting our local SEA LIFE centre in Great Yarmouth, we’ve not bee to the Birmingham one but it’s our list to visit
I’ve never been to the one at Gt Yarmouth either, will have to take a trip 🙂
Abi
What a lovely place to visit , sounds like a great day out.
How fab! We went to the Manchester Sealife last week and loved it! x
I love Sealife Centres. My favourite are always the sharks.
We love our local sealife centre. We have starfish in the rockpool area but not to view like this in ours
what a great day out I love Sea life centre it is such fun
Wow you got to stroke a starfish, that is amazing x
We are big fans of the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham – I love the look of those Starfish…lots to go back to see!
We love the Sea Life Centre… especially since the Penguins joined the show a year or so back.
looks like a great family day out x
aww looks alot of fun have never been to a aquiruim the kids would love it
We love our local aquarium, it’s always fascinating to look at the different types of sea life. The sea life centre in Birmingham sounds like a good day out.
Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area 🙂
wow I love your vintage skirt and jacket combo! what a find! x
Looks like a lovely day out.
What a pretty dress.
Thank you 🙂
My little baby would love this. We took him to the local garden centre and even at just 3 months old he was fascinated by the little coloured fish in the small fish tanks and the bubbles from the filters. I can imagine his face at this place with the colourful fish in the huge aquarium tanks.
The older 2 boys would love it too, especially getting to touch the starfish and putting their head in the domes to get a great view in the tank.
I love how these places allow the children to get up close and see these beautiful sea creatures close up.
Sorry about the weather but like you say at least it was warm and windy indoors.
Thank you so much for linking up to #TimeTraveller and apologies it took so long to get back to you.