SEA LIFE and London Eye Combo Ticket London

Sea Life London Aquarium

Opened in 1997 in the basement levels of County Hall, the Sea Life London Aquarium is one of the largest collections of marine life in Europe. The route leads you through a series of zones that recreate the world's waters: rocky Atlantic shores, a tropical reef glowing with colour, a rainforest area, and the deep ocean where sharks and rays circle huge tanks.

The highlights are the glass tunnel and walkway where sharks pass beneath and above you, the ray lagoon, the jellyfish displays lit in changing colours and the chilly enclosure of gentoo penguins, who are fed in front of visitors at set times. Talks and interactive screens explain how the aquarium supports ocean conservation and breeding programmes. Most visitors spend about one and a half hours inside.

The London Eye

Just outside the aquarium doors, the London Eye turns slowly above the river. At 135 metres high, it was the tallest observation wheel in the world when it opened in 2000. Its egg-shaped glass capsules, each holding up to 25 people, move at walking pace, so you step on while the wheel keeps turning, and one full rotation lasts about 30 minutes.

From the top you see the Gothic towers of the Houses of Parliament directly opposite, Westminster Abbey, the royal parks, the dome of St Paul's Cathedral and the Shard. On clear days the view reaches around 40 kilometres. London Eye tickets are among the most popular in the city, so having the ride included in a combo saves time and makes planning simple.

County Hall and the South Bank

Both attractions are housed in or beside County Hall, the grand riverside building completed in the early twentieth century as the headquarters of London's city government. Its curved colonnade faces Parliament across the Thames, and today it holds attractions, hotels and restaurants. Outside, Jubilee Gardens offers a green space where children can run between visits.

The South Bank promenade stretches east from here past theatres, galleries, book stalls and cafes, and is one of the most enjoyable places in London to spend an afternoon. Westminster Bridge leads across to Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey in five minutes. Combining Sea Life London tickets with the London Eye lets you enjoy this lively riverside without long journeys between sights.

Planning your visit

Time slots for the aquarium run from mid-morning to late afternoon. Start with Sea Life, which is entirely indoors and perfect in any weather, and ride the London Eye afterwards, ideally in the late afternoon when the light over the river is golden. Weekday mornings outside school holidays are the quietest time for both.

How to get to the London Eye and Sea Life: the nearest stations are Waterloo, a five-minute walk, and Westminster, just across the bridge; many buses stop nearby and river boats call at the London Eye Pier. Expect security checks at both entrances, and avoid bringing large bags. Both attractions are wheelchair accessible, with lifts and accessible capsules.