The Deep is a public aquarium perched at Sammy’s Point, where the River Hull meets the Humber Estuary in Kingston upon Hull, England. Opened in March 2002 inside a dramatic angular building designed by architect Terry Farrell, it was built with backing from the UK’s Millennium Commission and quickly became one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Home to more than 3,500 animals, from sharks and rays to penguins and a rare pair of green sawfish, The Deep centers around a main tank holding 2.5 million litres of water and 87 tonnes of salt. Visitors descend past a glass viewing tunnel and travel through the tank in a glass lift, making it as much an architectural experience as a wildlife one.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Kingston upon Hull, England
- Opened: March 2002
- Architect: Terry Farrell
- Main tank volume: 2.5 million litres of water
- Animal count: 3,500+ animals
- Total visitors: Over 8 million since opening
- Famous for: Europe’s deepest viewing tunnel and a glass lift through the main tank
The Aquarium Experience
Inside, visitors follow a route that descends through simulated ocean layers before reaching the main tank, viewed through a 9-metre-deep tunnel. A glass lift then rises through the water itself, giving close-up views of sharks and rays gliding past. Exhibits such as the Tropical Lagoon of Light and Endless Oceans showcase everything from coral reef fish to jellyfish and bioluminescent deep-sea species.
The Deep also keeps a colony of penguins and is one of the few aquariums in northern Europe to house green sawfish, an endangered species. Beyond display tanks, the site operates as a genuine marine research centre, working with the University of Hull on conservation projects.
A Millennium Landmark
The Deep’s angular, ship-like building took around 17 months to construct and cost roughly £52 million, with about half funded by the Millennium Commission. Since opening, it has drawn more than 8 million visitors and become a defining piece of Hull’s waterfront regeneration, alongside an education programme that serves around 30,000 students a year.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
The Deep FAQs
Where is The Deep located?
The Deep sits at Sammy’s Point in Kingston upon Hull, England, at the point where the River Hull flows into the Humber Estuary.
When did The Deep open?
The Deep opened to the public in March 2002.
What animals can you see at The Deep?
The Deep houses more than 3,500 animals, including sharks, rays, green sawfish, turtles, jellyfish, penguins, and tropical and bioluminescent fish.
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Photo: Hullian111 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.