SEA LIFE Brighton

You'll find yourself walking down a sloping corridor lined with tanks before you've even paid, which tells you everything about SEA LIFE Brighton's approach - they don't waste time getting you into the action. It's located right on the seafront, so you can spend your morning watching jellyfish and rays, then pop outside to see the actual sea five minutes later. The main draw is the walk-through tunnel where sharks and rays glide overhead - genuinely impressive if you haven't seen it before, though the tanks themselves are fairly compact.

It's squarely aimed at families with younger kids. Under-fives will be transfixed by the touch pools and the smaller creatures. Teenagers might find it a bit rushed unless they're genuinely into marine life - you can walk the whole thing in 90 minutes without lingering. History buffs and serious aquarium enthusiasts should probably give it a miss; it's entertainment first, education second.

Brighton's a seaside town, so you won't be roughing it. If you're camping at Pegs and Pitches or Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club - both within walking distance - this fits nicely into a day when the beach weather isn't cooperating. Chalky Downs is slightly further out but still reasonable. Book ahead during school holidays; it gets rammed. Admission isn't cheap, but there's usually online discounts worth hunting for.