Matlock Bath Aquarium

I absolutely adore this Victorian place! It's historic and great fun. I've been here many times over at least the last 35 years. I especially love that they have axolotls here in addition to loads of different fish. 🚨 Hey every Minecraft fan - they have real Axolotls here! Lol 🚨 I love the hall of holograms too. There's a huge old Victorian bathing pool now full of giant Koi Carp. There's an indoor waterfall showing how heavily mineralised the water is, with old household items being slowy turned into rock by the water, which is amazing to see. And there's an amusement arcade. Absolutely wonderful chintzy English fun! You must visit it to support it. Keep this national treasure going!

· via Google

A lovely little hidden gem right in the heart of Matlock Bath! The aquarium may not be huge, but it’s full of charm and character. Housed in a beautiful old Victorian building, it offers something quite different from your typical large-scale aquarium. The variety of fish is impressive for the size, and everything feels well cared for and thoughtfully presented. One of the highlights is the old thermal pool filled with stunning koi carp—you can even feed them, which makes it especially fun for children. What makes this place truly unique is that it’s more than just an aquarium. The hologram gallery, quirky mirrors, and the fascinating petrifying well add an unexpected and enjoyable twist to the visit. It’s a mix of history, curiosity, and fun all under one roof. Perfect for families or anyone looking for a short, interesting stop—especially on a rainy day. It doesn’t take long to go around, but it’s good value for money and leaves you smiling. A quirky, memorable experience that’s definitely worth a visit when in Matlock Bath.

· via Google

I visited with my niece for her birthday on a weekday, there was no wait for entry. We loved the range of weird and wonderful fish. We were in awe and my niece was eager to read the display to learn about every fish, we made friends with the large pink one pictured 😁 The history of the building is a bonus. You may need 50p if you want to feed the koi. There are steps to the aquarium so unfortunately it's not accessible.

· via Google

As small attractions go this one is well worth a visit. All the tanks are lovely and clean. The fish (plus all their little friends) are healthy and clearly well looked after. Take your time and acquaint yourself with the large Grouper. He (or she) loves the camera and will follow you around posing like a top model. There is a large outdoor pool with some stunning koi carp. Fish food can be obtained for a small fee. Go on.... treat the fish to a snack or two. In addition to the live exhibits there is a fascinating holographic gallery. The quality of the laser graphics is amazing. There is a hall of mirrors which will amuse the younger clients plus one particular mirror for the body conscious to look out for........ Size 8 anyone?

· via Google