Lakes Aquarium

The Lakes Aquarium sits by the water at Lakeside, at the southern end of Windermere, and works well as a wet-weather day out in the Lake District. Its displays cover the lakes of the world as well as local wildlife: pike, sturgeon and perch from freshwater, rays and British sharks from the sea, and reptiles, amphibians and insects in smaller exhibits. Families can walk through an underwater tunnel that looks up at the lake's fish and diving ducks, and watch the otters being talked to and fed during the day's scheduled talks. The building is spread over two floors, with a lift between them. Younger children tend to enjoy the close-up tanks and the feeding sessions, while older ones can spend time reading the displays. It is easy to combine with a boat trip across the lake or a steam train ride to the aquarium's door.