Celebrating our aquarium
Dive into a week of underwater discovery and celebration during the aquarium's final week.
As you may have heard, after over 70 years, we're saying farewell to our aquarium building.
Sadly, the way it was lovingly constructed back in the 1950s means that the aquarium is now coming to the end of its life. With such advancements in building methods, technology and requirements for modern zoos, our expert team of structural engineers agree that from 2026 our aquatic species in the Aquarium will be finding new habitats to flourish in, under the care of our dedicated aquatic team.
Scroll through this page to learn the fascinating story of this iconic building, but before we get to that, see what we've got planned for the aquarium's send-off!
A week of discovery, celebrating the underwater world at the aquarium
30 August – 7 September
Discover the unique wildlife that can be found in underwater habitats around the world, through games, talks and activities.
10 am – 12 pm daily
Get involved in everything from marine life games and activities, to sessions where you can test your shark species knowledge.
3.15 pm daily
Join us each afternoon for a keeper Q&A session. Our volunteers will also be on hand to share all the details of the aquarium’s rich 73-year history.
Through the decades: the early days
Built by the hands of our founder's daughter June and her former bear keeper husband Fred Williams, this is an iconic building with a fascinating past and a legacy that will continue for many years to come.
A December 1938 issue of the ‘Our Zoo News’ magazine updates visitors on the addition of new tanks in the old Oakfield Aquarium.
This zoo map from September 1948 shows the location of the old Oakfield Aquarium, shortly before it closed.
The existing Aquarium in the final stages of construction.
An excerpt from ‘Chester Zoo news’ about a former resident of the Aquarium, the West African lungfish.
Information about the Aquarium from the 1978 Chester Zoo Guide. At the time, there were around 2,300 fish in the Aquarium.
We feel confident that this aquarium will be in the future a very great attraction to the thousands of people who are interested in aquaria.
An extract from a 1953 AGM report at Chester Zoo by George Mottershead
Through the decades: 1982 - today
The aquarium has continued to evolve over the years and provide care to thousands of fish and other underwater species.
The Aquarium in approximately 1982. The Aquarium used to have a separate admission fee - 10p for adults and 5p for children!
The aquarium in the early 90s, following a refreshed paint job.
The 2001 Chester Zoo Guide outlines some of the notable species in the Aquarium, many of which can still be found there today.
A visitor enjoys a behind-the-scenes look during our Aquarium Experience.
The aquarium as it appears today.
Our work to protect aquatic species doesn’t end here
The skills and knowledge developed in the aquarium over many decades will continue to play a vital role in conservation, both here at the zoo and in the field.
This expertise has already achieved incredible results. From returning the golden skiffia to Mexican waters for the first time since 1990, to becoming the first in Europe to successfully breed the critically endangered scarce yellow sally stonefly (once thought lost for 28 years), our teams have helped bring species back from the brink.
The impact of the aquarium lives on through this important work.
Looking to the future
We have bold plans for a brand-new aquarium on the site of the former orangutan house, most recently used as an exhibition space. In the meantime, once the Aquarium closes, all fish and aquatic species will be moved to new homes around the zoo or cared for behind the scenes in new satellite facilities.
You’ll even spot some of your aquarium favourites in other habitats, including Realm of the Red Ape, Spirit of the Jaguar and Monsoon Forest.
Closing the building, and saying goodbye to some of our species, will certainly be sad and we’ll miss them, but it is starting to show its age, both stylistically and, more importantly, structurally! So it’s definitely an emotional time, but also a positive one, as we look to the future of conservation of aquatic species at Chester Zoo.
Joe Hutchins, Aquarist