Travel test

WHAT: Sea Life Hunstanton is home to a collection of creatures. It also has a rescue centre, play zone, shop and cafe. Adults from £ 15.10, children from £ 12.75. visitsealife.com/hunstanton

WHERE: On the seafront at Hunstanton, in west Norfolk. Sea Life’s outdoor cafe tables have front row seats where you can watch the sunset.

EXPERIENCE: Our pre- booked, timed- entry tickets were scanned, then, after a temperature check and hand sanitising, our kids were given a map for a creature-spotting scavenger hunt with prizes at the end if completed.

Off we went through a tunnel of tanks set at child- friendly heights, filled with crustaceans and fish. This opened up to an underwater viewing pool and rockpool area, where a staff member let us stroke the back of a starfish and hold the giant screw- like egg of an Australian Port Jackson shark.

On through more illuminated tanks, some of which are designed so little ones can crawl inside and poke their heads up in the middle of the fishy action.

In the tropical reef are Disney fan favourites clown fish ( Nemos) and blue regal tangs ( Dorys).

At Rainforest Ranger Basecamp, an expert can talk you through the critters and creepy crawlies as you come within inches of a royal python and a colony of leafcutter ants.

The outdoor zone features 20 Humboldt penguins. We were also delighted to the see Asian short-clawed otters playing in the river.

The Norfolk coast and The Wash are home to hundreds of seals and over the past year Sea Life has rescued more than 50. We saw an adorable young seal chilling out in its own private pool, as part of its rehabilitation before being returned to the wild.

One of the most memorable creatures was green sea turtle Ernie, who appears to smile at all his visitors. His home is the Ocean Tunnel, which, as you walk through it, makes it feel like you are swimming with the fishes. VERDICT: A well- run, great value- for- money, all- weather attraction. 9/ 10