The tropical lagoon inside The Deep aquarium in Hull, with mangrove trees on pale rock above clear turquoise water and orange corals
Photo: Chemical Engineer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Moon jellyfish drifting in a blue-lit tank at The Deep aquarium in Hull
Photo: Eric Hripko, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Deep aquarium in Hull, an angular dark grey building with a glazed prow, seen across the water under a pale winter sky
Photo: Hullian111, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Facts at a glance
- All ages
- Toilets
- Café
- Picnic area
- Parking
- Pushchair friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
- Gift shop
Hull
England
HU1 4DP
United Kingdom
Quick answer
The Deep is an indoor aquarium in Hull with sharks, turtles, jellyfish and Gentoo penguins, so it suits a rainy day. It opens 10am to 6pm (last entry 5pm) every day except 24 and 25 December. Adults pay £24 and children aged 3 to 15 pay £18. Under 3s go free. Each standard paid ticket is an Annual Pass, giving the people pictured on it free returns for 12 months. The Deep says visitors spend 1½ to 2 hours on average. There is no pram or luggage storage, and some areas are dark and noisy.
Is it right for my child?
- Animals to spot: sharks, rays and sawfish in Endless Ocean, and tropical fish in the Lagoon of Light. Look for jellyfish in Cool Seas and penguins in the Kingdom of Ice.
- The tunnel: the Underwater Tunnel runs beneath the 10-metre deep Endless Ocean tank, lit only by the blue water above.
- Hands-on bits: Dylan’s Discovery Corner has an interactive floor and fossil brushing. Cool Seas has an interactive sandpit, and children can touch real ice walls in the Kingdom of Ice.
- Talks: on 13 November 2026 the home page listed daily talks, including a penguin talk at 11.30am and 3.30pm.
- Sensory notes: the access guide says several zones are dark, including the jellyfish room. Talks use a microphone, and noise echoes in open-plan areas.
- At the start: the social story says you first pass through a dark, sometimes noisy room. Ask the turnstile guide if you would like to avoid it.
- Supervision: under 16s must be with an adult at all times.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Book ahead for weekends, school holidays and bank holidays. The FAQ says term-time weekdays do not need pre-booking.
- Arrive within 30 minutes of your booked time. Online tickets still join the main queue.
- Leave big bags in the car. The Deep cannot look after prams or luggage, but you can pop out to your car and back.
- Bring proof for an essential carer, and ID for a student ticket.
- Expect bag searches. The code of conduct says The Deep searches bags.
Prices and tickets
These prices were on the tickets page and the ticket shop on 13 November 2026.
- Adult: £24.
- Child aged 3 to 15: £18, accompanied by an adult.
- Senior (65 plus): £20.
- Student in full-time education: £20, with a valid NUS card, university card or proof of age.
- Under 3s: free, with no booking needed.
- Essential carers: free when accompanying a paying visitor or existing Annual Pass holder who could not visit without their support. No booking is needed, but bring proof, such as a PIP or DLA letter or proof of Carer’s Allowance.
- Annual Pass: each standard paid ticket gives free returns for 12 months. Only the people pictured on the pass return free, and passes are non-transferable.
- When the 12 months start: the terms say the pass runs until the day before the first anniversary of purchase. The ticket shop says passes activate on your first visit, so ask if unsure.
- Pass exceptions: the terms allow up to five days a year when the pass is not valid, listed on the website. Discounted and free tickets do not include the pass unless stated otherwise.
- Refunds: tickets are non-refundable, but The Deep will move your booking to a new date if you email info@thedeep.co.uk.
- Other ways to pay: Tesco Clubcard Rewards codes, gift vouchers and cash are taken at Reception.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Getting round: visits start on the third floor, reached by lift. The access guide describes ramps throughout on a gentle downward slope, and lifts to every floor.
- Stairs: the social story says there are 81 steps to the top floor if you skip the lift.
- Storage: there is no pram storage.
- Feeding: the cafés list a bottle warming station, high chairs and a children’s menu, and say they are breastfeeding friendly. Crew can also take you to a quiet area or room.
- Toilets: accessible toilets are on every floor, plus a Changing Places toilet on the ground floor.
- Baby changing: the official pages we checked do not mention baby changing.
Food and drink
The Plaice Café overlooks the Humber Estuary. It serves hot breakfasts daily from 10am to 11am and hot meals from 11.30am to 3pm, except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can use it without an aquarium ticket. The Other Plaice Café, halfway round, opens at weekends and in school holidays from 11am to 4pm.
Picnics are welcome in the Picnic Plaice halfway round and on the outdoor benches. You can refill water bottles free at Reception.
Getting there and parking
- Address: The Deep, Tower Street, Hull HU1 4DP. The Deep says satnav users can also enter HU9 1TU, which leads to Tower Street.
- Car park: pay on arrival. It costs £4.50 for 5 hours from 6am to 6pm and £2 from 6pm to 6am, every day including bank holidays. Display a valid ticket.
- Blue Badge: 10 accessible bays sit closest to the accessible entrance. Display your Blue Badge for free parking in any bay.
- When it is full: overflow car parks are off the roundabout next to the building, and these can also fill at peak times.
- No dogs in cars, and there are no electric car chargers.
- By train: the getting here page says it is a 15-minute walk from Hull Paragon Interchange. The access guide says around 22 minutes.
When to visit
- Hours: 10am to 6pm, last entry 5pm. Closed on 24 and 25 December.
- Quieter times: term-time weekdays, especially at opening or after 3pm.
- Busier times: weekends, school holidays and bank holidays, especially 11am to 3pm, and when it rains.
- Late arrivals: the FAQ says The Deep will honour a late booking, but the tickets page says late arrivals may be refused. Aim for your 30-minute window.
Additional needs and disability support
The Deep publishes an access guide and a social story, and offers the support below.
- Tranquil Tuesdays: every term-time Tuesday from 3pm, lighting and audio are adjusted for a calmer visit. Normal admission prices apply.
- Sensory packs to borrow from Reception, with ear defenders, a sensory toy, a social story and PEC cards.
- Accessible entrance: nearest the Humber, usually with a shorter queue, for anyone who needs it.
- Mobility aids: free to use. Manual wheelchairs and walking aids can be pre-booked by phone or email. The 3 electric scooters are first come, first served.
- Changing Places: ground floor, with a hoist and adjustable bench. It needs a RADAR key, which Reception can lend.
- Also: a hearing loop at Reception and the shop, and the Sunflower lanyard scheme. The fire alarm uses flashing lights.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Deep free for children?
Under 3s go free and do not need booking. Children aged 3 to 15 pay £18, which includes an Annual Pass.
How long do you need at The Deep?
The Deep says visitors spend 1½ to 2 hours on average. Last entry is 5pm, and you can stay until 6pm.
Can you take a pushchair to The Deep?
The access guide describes ramps and lifts throughout, and the cafés say they are pushchair accessible. There is no pram storage.
Do I need to book The Deep?
Not on term-time weekdays, says the FAQ. It highly recommends booking for weekends, school holidays and bank holidays.
Is The Deep good for autistic children?
It offers a social story, sensory packs, a quiet area or room on request, and Tranquil Tuesdays. Some areas are dark and noisy.
Can I bring my dog to The Deep?
Pets are not allowed, and The Deep does not permit leaving dogs in cars. Assistance dogs are welcome. Emotional support animals need a short form on arrival, so ask The Deep first.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official tickets, FAQ, accessibility, food and drink, getting here and terms pages of The Deep. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
Map and directions
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
More family days out nearby
- All ages
- All ages
- Toddlers (1 to 3)
- Pre-school (3 to 5)
- Primary (5 to 11)
- All ages



