SEA LIFE Brighton, the world’s oldest operating aquarium, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
To commemorate the iconic milestone, SEA LIFE is focusing on a year-long of events and occasions to pay tribute to both the history and evolution of the aquarium since it first landed 150 years ago.
The attraction was opened formally to the public on the 10th August 1872, by Brighton’s mayor Cordy Burrows. The aquarium was imagined and invented by Eugenius Birch, the famous pier engineer and designer of Brighton’s West Pier. The iconic Italianate building cost £133,000 and extended for 700 feet along the base of the city’s clifftop, with a large entrance hall that led into the main corridor of the aquarium, which was a staggering 224 feet long and lined with large tanks.
When it first opened, the attraction proved to be a huge hit with Brighton’s fashionable society and received many visitors from the royal family. Among the early inhabitants were an octopus, sea-lions and lobsters and by 1888 the aquarium even housed organ recitals, lectures and exhibitions for locals and tourists, with concerts being performed in the building’s conservatory.
As the world entered the 1900’s, the aquarium opened its doors to film showings and became a popular place to visit during the First World War. After running into financial difficulties, the establishment was obtained by the Brighton Corporation and 1927 saw the building close its doors for a £117,000 modernisation, with the exteriors being rebuilt in white Empire stonework and entrance replaced with two square kiosks and pagoda-style roofs.
And that’s not all…as the distinctive clock tower was demolished, with a ballroom, bandstand and other small buildings being added to the attraction. The site was then reopened in 1929 by the Duke of York.
When the Second World War started, the aquarium was requisitioned by the RAF, as the city became a target by the Germans. Then as the 60s arrived, the aquarium was home to the Montagu Motor Museum, which hosted a large collection of vintage motors and sports cars. During 1970 – 1991 the building became home to regular dolphin and seal shows, however the captivity of these clever mammals came under scrutiny.
Subsequently in 1991, SEA LIFE Brighton was born, as Merlin Entertainments acquired the aquarium and rehabilitated and released the captive sea mammals back into the wild. It then worked on a £1.5 million restoration of the building, to turn it into the conservational and educational site you can visit today.
Neil Harris, SEA LIFE Brighton’s General Manager said: “Here at SEA LIFE Brighton, we’re proud and honoured to hold the title of the world’s oldest operating aquarium. With this being our 150th anniversary, we wanted to host a range of activities throughout the year for guests of all ages to enjoy, so we can showcase the amazing history behind our attraction. These will include a VIP anniversary party, a historical display installation and events inspired by some of the buildings many previous uses.
“We also would love to see guests who have visited the attraction throughout the decades to share their memories, photos and any other content they have with us, so we can display the many years of wonderful memories that have been created in this building.”
Since operating as a SEA LIFE centre, the 150-year-old building has received an investment of over £10 million in the last 20 years, to ensure the historical architectural building remains intact and prominent within Brighton’s community.
To be one of the first to hear about SEA LIFE Brighton’s celebratory events throughout the year, make sure to follow the attraction’s social channels and monitor its website. To book a visit to the world’s oldest operating aquarium, please visit the website here: https://www.visitsealife.com/brighton/
