Category: Zoos & WildlifeSee venue photos

Zoos & Wildlife

Hastings Aquarium

Hastings, East Sussex· TN34 3DW

SEN Suitability Assessment

Based on analysis of 12 public reviews (Feb 2026 – May 2026) · Good confidence

93/100

SEN Score

Based on noise, queues, staff, calm spaces

Breakdown

NoiseGood

Crowds & queuesGood

Staff supportGood

PredictabilityGood

Calm spacesGood

Compact and easy to navigateQuiet weekdaysFriendly and accommodating staffAccessible cafeLimited interactive activitiesSmall venueBook ahead for visits

Parent summary

Hastings Aquarium is a welcoming venue for SEN families. It's a smaller, compact space that's easy to navigate, and staff are consistently described as friendly, accommodating and helpful. The quiet atmosphere and calm environment make it manageable for many visitors. The café is accessible without entering the main venue, though food options and pricing are worth noting in your planning.

Best times to visit

Weekday visits, particularly mid-week mornings, tend to be quieter

Worth avoiding

School holidays and weekends are likely to be busier

What visitors say

Visitors consistently praise the Hastings Aquarium's compact size, cleanliness and welcoming staff, which many find make it straightforward to navigate with children. The quieter weekday atmosphere and separately accessible café appeal to many families. Some visitors have noted that ticket prices, café costs and limited food variety may warrant consideration when planning your visit.

Based on a sample of public reviews. Experiences vary - every child and every visit is different.

Read reviews on Google →

From SEN communities

sensory experiencesdedicated SEN sessionscarer discountdisabled access

Sensory-focused experiences and storytelling events designed for children's sensory engagement
i-go card accepted; one carer visits free with SEN cardholder
AquaExplorer SEN sessions mentioned in community posts
Day opportunities groups report positive experiences at the venue
Accessible facilities noted: disabled access, onsite parking, suitable for physically impaired

Sourced from SEN community Facebook, i-go provider directory, charity day trip posts, SEN-friendly venue databases within the SEN community. Individual experiences vary.

When to visit

Typical busyness patterns based on Google Maps visitor data. Term-time and school holidays will vary.

Weekdays (Mon–Fri)

Typically quietest around 10am

10am1pm4pm

Weekends (Sat–Sun)

Typically quietest around 10am

10am1pm4pm

QuietModerateBusyVery busy

⏱ People typically spend 20 min to 1.5 hr here

Potential challenges

Ticket prices and café costs are reported as high – budget accordingly
Food quality and variety in the café may be limited
Interactive animal touch experiences are not currently available
High chairs for younger children can be limited – arriving early may help if needed

What works

Smaller, compact venue that's straightforward to navigate
Notably quiet atmosphere, particularly on weekdays
Staff are consistently described as friendly, welcoming and flexible
Well maintained and clean throughout
Café can be accessed separately without entering the main venue, which may help with planning breaks
Good sensory environment overall – low noise levels reported

Photos

Facilities

Cafe / food on-site Party rooms Quiet / SEN sessions

Quiet / SEN sessions

Autism-friendly relaxed sessions are offered regularly at the venue.

Tips for your visit

Regular talks and feeds scheduled throughout the day (11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm). Birthday parties and school trips available. Contact venue directly on 01424 718776 or hello@discoverhastings.co.uk for specific SEND requirements and accessibility details.

Accessibility

Disabled access mentioned on website. Underwater tunnel and Jungle Room are attractions. No detailed information about wheelchair accessibility, lifts, terrain, Changing Places, or buggy-friendliness available from website content.

Opening Hours

Monday10:00-17:00

Tuesday10:00-17:00

Wednesday10:00-17:00

Thursday10:00-17:00

Friday10:00-17:00

Saturday10:00-17:00

Sunday10:00-17:00

Carer & disability info

Free carer entry

Access Card accepted

i-go cardholders pay £10.50 reduced entry and one carer enters free. Disabled concession tickets available with one free carer.

This information is gathered from publicly available sources and may not be fully accurate or up to date. Please always check directly with the venue before visiting.

What are these cards?

Frequently asked questions about Hastings Aquarium

Quick answers drawn from our venue data and review analysis.

Is Hastings Aquarium autism friendly?

Hastings Aquarium scores highly for autism and SEN suitability, with an overall SEN score of 93/100 from our analysis of parent reviews. Hastings Aquarium is a welcoming venue for SEN families. It's a smaller, compact space that's easy to navigate, and staff are consistently described as friendly, accommodating and helpful. The quiet atmosphere and calm environment make it manageable for many visitors. The café is accessible without entering the main venue, though food options and pricing are worth noting in your planning.

Does Hastings Aquarium have quiet sessions or sensory-friendly features?

Yes. Hastings Aquarium offers quiet or relaxed sessions. Autism-friendly relaxed sessions are offered regularly at the venue.

Is Hastings Aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Hastings Aquarium is wheelchair and pushchair accessible. Disabled access mentioned on website. Underwater tunnel and Jungle Room are attractions. No detailed information about wheelchair accessibility, lifts, terrain, Changing Places, or buggy-friendliness available from website content.

Does Hastings Aquarium offer free entry for carers?

Yes. Hastings Aquarium offers free entry for a carer or essential companion accompanying a disabled visitor. i-go cardholders pay £10.50 reduced entry and one carer enters free. Disabled concession tickets available with one free carer.

Does Hastings Aquarium accept the Access Card?

Yes. Hastings Aquarium accepts the Access Card, which communicates your access requirements without needing to explain them each visit.

When is Hastings Aquarium least busy?

Based on Google visitor data, Hastings Aquarium is typically quietest on Tuesday around 10am. Term-time weekdays during school hours are generally calmer than weekends and school holidays.

Is Hastings Aquarium indoors?

Yes. Hastings Aquarium is an indoor zoos & wildlife in Hastings, so it works as a rainy-day option regardless of weather.

Spotted something to fix?

Help us keep Hastings Aquarium accurate. What did you notice?