Crystalline Aquatics

The tanks at Crystalline Aquatics near Melksham hold everything from tropical fish to freshwater species, and it's the kind of place that works best if you've got young kids in tow rather than teenagers. You'll walk through dimly lit corridors with glass panels on either side - proper aquarium setup - watching colourful fish dart about in systems that are clearly well-maintained. Allow a good hour if you're actually stopping to read the information boards, though families with restless five-year-olds might squeeze through in forty minutes flat.

The site sits reasonably close to several caravan parks if you're basing yourself in the area for a week. Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site is only 2.5 miles away, and Blackland Lakes just over three miles, so you could easily make this a half-day stop rather than a full outing. It's the sort of attraction that fills a rainy Tuesday afternoon without breaking the bank.

I'd be straight with you though - it's not going to compete with the bigger regional aquariums you'll find elsewhere. If you're already in Melksham or staying at one of the nearby parks with kids under ten, it's worth the visit. If you're driving specifically to Wiltshire for an aquarium experience, you'd probably get more from exploring the local countryside instead. Check ahead for opening hours and admission charges before you go - details aren't easy to pin down online.