Discover Our Top Coastal Attractions

It’s Spring and we’re all ready to head to the coast for some much-needed sun, sea and sand, right?! We know you love visiting our Resort Theme Parks and inner-city attractions, but did you know we have some amazing coastal attractions which are waiting to welcome you on your next magical Merlin adventure? There’s a lot to be said about the relaxing atmosphere while visiting our attractions on the coast, so here’s a reminder of everything they have to offer!

Brighton

Just a 2-hour drive from Central London, or 1hr 30m when travelling by train from Euston, Brighton is the perfect seaside town for our Passholders to explore this Spring and Summer! Built in 1872, SEA LIFE Brighton is the world’s oldest operating aquarium (we know, jaw-some right?) and we’re very proud that it belongs to us! As you enter the aquarium, it’s hard not to be taken aback by the amazing original Victorian arches. There are some really epic photo opportunities to be had, so make sure that you have your camera at the ready. Just be careful not to use your flash near our creatures – we don’t want to upset the awesome fishes!

This June, SEA LIFEs across the UK, including Brighton, will be launching Octonauts - an immersive trail featuring CBeebies’ Octonauts that takes families on a journey filled with the ocean’s weirdest and wonderful activities; all while enjoying interactive learning and play. You can learn more about the Octonauts event over on our What’s New webpage.

Brighton is an awesome place to spend the day with your family or friends. There’s the Brighton Palace Pier, which is just moments away from the aquarium, lots of fantastic restaurants and cafes, independent boutiques, and not to mention the beach if you fancy a sunbathe or paddle! One thing is for sure, there really is no other aquarium quite like Brighton’s!

Weymouth

Do you have a trip to Dorset planned for this year? We’re sure with international travel being a little tricky right now that some Passholders may very well have a trip planned to the UK’s southwest! Weymouth is not only a great value destination, it’s also surrounded by lots of lovely beauty spots such as the Jurassic Coast, Isle of Portland and Lulworth Cove. If you love exploring and taking scenic walks, a trip to Weymouth and the nearby beauty spots is definitely a must! And, most importantly (of course!) it’s home to SEA LIFE Weymouth!

Be sure to check out the aquarium’s new Night and Day experience which lets Passholders experience the 24-hour wonder of a coral reef as it moves from night to day in our re-imagined Ocean Tunnel display.  The display has been wowing guests ever since it opened in 2020, and it’s bound to impress you too. You can dance along the bio-fluorescent tropical shore and then journey through our underwater tunnel, surrounded by Blacktip Reef Sharks, Green Sea Turtles, and a beautiful array of tropical fish species... cool right?!

What’s more there are some VERY cute Fairy Penguins who are waiting to welcome you to the aquarium – they are the only colony in Europe. Adorable!

Blackpool

The Lancashire seaside town Blackpool is a fantastic destination for families whether you’re planning a mega-fun day out or have a longer staycation in mind. Blackpool is home to five fantastic Merlin attractions including: SEA LIFE Blackpool, Madame Tussauds Blackpool, The Blackpool Tower (including The Circus) and The Blackpool Dungeon, so it really is the place to be if you’re looking for loads of magical adventures!

Head to the top of The Blackpool Tower and soak up the views at The Blackpool Tower Eye and 4D cinema experience, before diving beneath the waves at SEA LIFE Blackpool meeting our family of rays and exploring tropical reef in the underwater tunnels. Prepare to laugh (and scream) your way through Blackpool’s darkest history at The Blackpool Tower Dungeon before walking the red carpet at Madame Tussauds and getting those very important celebrity selfies! Remember, Passholders can experience The Blackpool Tower Circus from just £7.95 with their Passholder discount.

There are plenty of exciting new things happening at the Blackpool attractions this year, including brand-new acts in The Circus, which celebrates 30 years of the famous Endresz family, a newly launched Turtle Feed experience at SEA LIFE where Passholders can upgrade for just £5 and the fabulous Madame Tussauds celebrations for the attraction’s 10-year anniversary, featuring brand new figures of your favourite celebrities and interactive activities for the whole family.

There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained alongside our Merlin attractions at this coastal destination; if you fancy a chilled long weekend then why not explore the great Promenade including the iconic comedy carpet or Blackpool Pleasure Beach!  Away from the famous illuminations of Blackpool seafront, there is still plenty to do and see; the new Project Elephant Basecamp at Blackpool Zoo, fabulous family shows at The Grand Theatre and the breath-taking Art Deco styled Stanley Park.

Loch Lomond

Situated in southern Scotland, this coastal destination is part of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and is home to the breath-taking lake (or ‘loch’). Loch Lomond is one of the best places in the Scotland for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. There are plenty of mountains, cycle paths, tree top adventures and forest trails which await Passholders! We know Passholders are keen adventurers, so this really is the perfect UK holiday destination for you and your family this year.

Whilst you’re on your Scottish adventures, head to SEA LIFE Loch Lomond to discover seven themed zones, with more than 1,500 creatures! You’ll be able to meet the only Cow Nose rays in Scotland, get face to fur with the trio of cheeky otters, and explore SEA LIFE Loch Lomond’s awesome ocean tunnel - home to the largest collection of sharks in Scotland!

Great Yarmouth

Situated on the picturesque coastline of Norfolk, Great Yarmouth has been a popular seaside spot for many years. It's known for its long sandy beach, which is the ideal place to chill out and relax if you’re planning a staycation. The town can sometimes be overlooked by other more popular seaside destinations but don’t let that put you off - it’s a fantastic family friendly spot bursting with fun things to see and do… including SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth!

It’s an exciting time for SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth, which has recently launched its brand-new Rock Pool Explorer experience – an interactive rock pool where Passholders can discover epic creatures and all of their mer-mazing abilities! Whilst on your visit, you’ll definitely want to meet the cutest Humboldt penguins, snap a selfie with jaw-some crocs and dive beneath the waves to explore the Lost City of Atlantis and its inhabitants!

If you plan to stay for a while, you might like to check out everything else Great Yarmouth has to offer including museums, theatres, arcades, the Pleasure Beach, Hippodrome Circus and Pirates Cove Golf. The Great Yarmouth area boasts wonderful countryside and charming villages, not forgetting more than 15 miles of sandy beaches!

Scarborough

Scarborough is one of the UK’s most famous seaside resort towns. This Yorkshire coast town is known for its donkey rides, amusement arcades, fish and chips and soft sand beaches. Passholders will be spoilt for choice with things to do in this coastal town with a huge variety of attractions, museums, galleries, outdoor activities, and Scarborough’s very own castle! 

While on your trip to Scarborough, head to SEA LIFE Scarborough to immerse yourself in a world of creepy crawlies, lurking lizards and curious critters, or make friends with the cheeky Humboldt penguins, the adorable rescued seals and the majestic sea turtle - Antiopi! If you’re feeling really adventurous, there’s also Pirate Adventure Mini Golf for you and the family to enjoy. Can you conquer the tricky uphill hole with a single deadly shot Passholder? We challenge you!

So, if you do decide to take a staycation in the UK this year, be sure to keep our awesome coastal attractions in mind! And, while you’re on your visit be sure to tag us in your epic photos and use the hashtag #MerlinAnnualPass on Instagram to appear on our social media channels. We hope you enjoy some much-needed sun, sea, sand and Merlin magic on your visit!