Kingston-upon-Hull,East Yorkshire The Deep

Maybe we've been spoiled, having been to others around the world, but we were rather disappointed (maybe we're all more critical of things on our doorsteps and less so of what we find on holiday?). 'The Deep' costs almost £9 each to get in, 10% off if you book a couple of days ahead online. They charge £3 for parking but refund £2 of that against guidebooks, audioguide, food or stuff in the giftshop. Luckily it was quiet so no queue to get in. We knew where the place was, but suspect strangers might have a bit of difficulty finding it, though there are the brown signs to follow. It is in a very run down area where the River Hull flows into the Humber Estuary, next to the tidal barrier and Myton swing bridge. There is no obvious information about the barrier or bridge which is a shame, nor any indication that there is a river walk up to the free museums alongside the River Hull where the Bounty began her life.The tour involves taking the stairs to the top of the building (or queuing for the lift). The stairs are simply functional - no displays. You come out by a window overlooking the carpark and the cafe, which somehow is not desperately inviting. You enter the tour and start with a lobby where there is an intro. Sadly the acoustics mean it's hard to understand unless there is silence around; there isn't. So most people get going down the series of ramps which tell the story of the history of life on earth. (No fish yet!). The lighting is poor, atmospheric, yes, but it means some displays are hard to read or not even noticed by many. Every so often there's a TV screen in front of which is something to fiddle with - these range from mildly interesting to downright annoying, such as the one involving spinning squeaky handwheels. The audio from the TV reels can be heard clearly only by the one person (or two friendly ones!) directly under the directional overhead speaker pod. When you position yourself there, someone invariably stands in front of you at the "fiddle station" so you can't see the screen! Half way down is another cafe and a sandwich area for picnics (a good point). The cafe is very small and has a limited menu of soup, sandwiches, hotdogs. I ordered soup and they found they had no spoons - so they had to go up to the other cafe and get some - we also heard them tell a family they could not find the key to the ice-cream freezer!Eventually you get near to the ground floor and find the fish! There are some really impressive fish (sharks, sawfish (no not swordfish), eels, rays etc). Sadly there is too little information to identify them. We saw one very curious looking fish and tried the interactive "identify the fish" exhibit. It wasn't there, neither were several others, nor were they on the wall displays and there was nobody to ask. We felt there was too little information in general, though some reviews I've read reckon there are too many words, saying people/kids only want pictures 'cos text is boring! There is a tglass unnel but it is very short and if busy would get very crowded. There is one area (The Twighlight Zone) where we felt they'd got the acoustics sorted and that was impressive. There is a hands-on area where a member of staff invites about 3-4 kids to touch a few exhibits such as starfish a few times in the day. Again if the place had been crowded that would have been a disaster area.When you've done there is a single glass lift travelling back up to the top floor through the main tank. Even on a quiet day a queue had built up filling the waiting area nearly back to the glass tunnel so we went back up the stairs. There are viewing windows on the landings so you do at least see what the lift travellers see. This brings you back to the top cafe. If you go through it and up to its upper floor there is a very small outdoor viewing platform. From here you have to again queue for a lift or go back down the plain "back staircase" - the same one used for entrance. Of course your exit from the building is via the gift shop. It really is daft to have people going up a plain staircase, down the building during the tour, forcing them back up to the top again to tempt them with the cafe and then down the plain back staircase again, even if there are a few lifts available.Also, even given that we are strongly supportive of conservation, we felt there was overkill on a "man's a nasty threat to wildlife/environment" theme - maybe that is what got them their mass funding? We felt there was a need for a better balance with a strong emphasis on "wow, isn't nature amazing - did you know X, Y, Z??" leading naturally into "let's keep it that way".Don't get me wrong, The Deep is worth visiting, but from us they merit a "could do better"._________________

The big tank was good. But not enough fish, and too many interactive/TV screen. The Deep is far too expensive. Pound per fish was rubbish. Even with money off vouchers, still poor.

Fantastic afternoon out. We must have visited at least 5 times and each time we see something new.

Situated on the north bank of the Humber Estuary, East Yorkshire, England, The Deep is a fantastic place to visit. It is the world's first submarium, a futuristic aquarium.

The Deep, Hull's landmark Millennium Project, consists of four elements:

1) A tourist attraction

2) Business centre

3) Lifelong learning centre

4) Research facility

Housed in two buildings set around the aquarium, The Deep is well signposted from the Humber Bridge (south) and Kingston-upon-Hull (north). The Humber Bridge (a single-span suspension bridge) goes across the River Humber between the banks of Hessle on the north bank and Barton-on-Humber on the south bank.

(The bridge held the world record as the longest single-span suspension bridge for 17 years, until it was overtaken by a bridge in Japan.)

There is a toll (Current price is £2.50 per car each way) for crossing the bridge, but it's about to rise to £2.70).

In 1315 ferry tolls were half an old pence for a man on foot, 1d for a man with his horse, 2d for a cart with two horses and 1d for every additional horse.

On Arrival:

Join the back of the queue. Pay your entrance fee at the reception desk. Take a lift to the third floor and on your way take a look out the window for a fantastic view of the River Humber. You start your visit above the tank which contains 2.5 million litres of water and 87 tons of salt. Watch seven species of shark, conger eels, manta rays and hundreds of other stunning sea creatures. Check the website for an A-Z of the fish library.

As you work your way down the descending walkway, you can view the fish through see-through walls. At each level you will see different fish, plant life and corals; the tank is laid out as close to their natural environment as possible.

There are some smaller pools so that children can study sea creatures close up. There is also plenty of information to be read as you walk round.

There are plenty of activities and interactive quizzes, you can even 'man' your own 'submarine'. One very interesting 'game' allows you to advance time and watch the screen as the map of the Humber region changes. Eventually where you are standing will be under water as erosion takes its toll.

By the time you have walked down to the bottom level, you are below sea-level. You come to the piece d'resistance - Europe's deepest viewing tunnel. Words cannot describe the effect on your senses as you walk under the tank, look up, and watch the mouth, then the belly of a shark slide a few inches over your head. Your jaw drops, then you hear someone gasp:

Look at that!

You turn and swimming towards you is a huge manta ray. The grace and majesty of this creature in all its glory takes your breath away. Everyone in the group is dumbstruck. You turn round and around, watching big sharks weaving around and rainbow-coloured fish darting in and out of little caves.

Nobody wants to move on. The effect of being in the midst of all the marine life, knowing you are perfectly safe yet you are so close to creatures which couldn't survive where you are, and vice versa, has a magical, almost hypnotic effect.

When you can drag yourself away, you have a choice of how to leave.

The world's only underwater lift will take you back to ground level but the journey only lasts 20 seconds.

You can walk up, taking as long as you want, admiring the different levels of the tank as you go.

The Gift Shop:

Enjoy some retail therapy in the gift shop. It has toys, games, souvenirs and gifts for everyone. Take a piece of The Deep home with you, in the form of a fridge magnet. Every purchase made will help The Deep continue to promote a sustainable future for the world's oceans and to provide a unique environment for research and learning.

Refreshments:

There is a caf which is located on the third floor, with spectacular views over the Humber Estuary and a lot on offer to tempt you. There are hot and cold meals, a healthy eating salad bar, home-made cakes and scones and toasted tea cakes. Smoothies, yoghurt drinks, fruit juice, coffees, hot chocolate and tea are also available. Children's meals, high chairs and easy wheelchair access mean everyone is welcome. Taking your own food and drink is not allowed, although there are picnic benches outside should you wish to bring your own lunch.

The Observatory:

The Observatory is at the top of The Deep, in the glass apex seen from the river and bridges. There is an outside viewing platform for those not scared of heights. Note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Upcoming Events:

There are plenty of events coming up at The Deep, including learning to dive! Consult the website for upcoming events.

Open Days and Times:

The Deep is open daily (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 10am to 6pm. You should allow at least two hours for your visit. The Deep is busy during school holidays and at weekends. The recommended latest visit time is 4.00pm. The last admittance is at 5.00pm.

A good way to avoid crowds and queues is to arrive after 2pm. Another way is to book your tickets in advance, as this allows you to 'fast track' any possible queue at reception. Phone The Deep then collect your tickets and pay on the day at the Fast Track Desk. Advance tickets must be booked at least 24 hours beforehand.

Basic signing for the deaf is available on request, with advance notice.

How to Get There:

There is a park-and-ride facility that operates from Priory Park, Hessle. This is 5 miles west of Hull on the A63 approach road into the city. It is signposted from the A15, A63 and the Humber Bridge.

If you prefer to drive yourself, on days with exceptionally high winds the Humber Bridge may be closed, so check before you leave home.The Deep has its own car park with space for 280 vehicles. There is a charge for parking. Disabled badge holders park free. The Deep recommend using Hull city centre car parks or the park-and-ride bus service during busy periods. For more travel information call Hull's Tourist Information office.

Public Transport

From Hull's railway station you can take the Number 90 bus. The bus goes every 20 minutes from outside the station and will drop you off by the pedestrian bridge adjacent to The Deep.

Taxis are available from outside the train station.