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Make your donationAbout National Aquarium Limited
To educate the public and promote the conservation of marine and freshwater aquatic organisms by the provision of an aquarium.
Focus areas & reach
· What they work on and whereHow it stacks up against peers
· vs. 8 similar health in United KingdomConcerns
· None foundWhere every £1 goes
· FY2022 · Charity Commission (UK) (FY2022)GiveRadar Analysis
Original analysis from GiveRadar's dataset of comparable organizations
From what GiveRadar has verified so far, National Aquarium Limited has a substantially complete profile, cross-referenced across 3 independent sources including the Charity Commission.
- GiveRadar's profile for National Aquarium Limited draws on its financial disclosures and its registration, in line with the typical health charities in the United Kingdom it tracks. View this cohort
- government registration
- disclosed leadership
- a website
- a contact email
- a donation page
- financial records (present for 85% of comparable organizations)
- third-party accreditation
- an owner-submitted profile claim
Analysis based on GiveRadar's benchmark dataset of 2026-07-03. It describes what GiveRadar has verified, not a judgment of the organization itself.
Common questions
· Auto-generated from filings + methodologyNational Aquarium Limited is a registered health nonprofit based in Plymouth, United Kingdom. It is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. It was founded in 2003 and has been operating for 23 years. Its registration number is 1032491. GiveRadar's Integrity Assessment for the organization is 63/100, which reflects how much public information is available, not whether the charity is legitimate. No red flags have been detected. The charity has 6 community reviews with an average rating of 3.2/5. On Trustpilot, it has a rating of 3.6/5 based on 6 reviews.
National Aquarium Limited's registered charity number is 1098529. You can use it to look up the organization on the Charity Commission register.
National Aquarium Limited has a GiveRadar Integrity Assessment of 63/100. This score combines five components: Registration (20 pts), Financial Transparency (30 pts), Governance (20 pts), Contact Availability (10 pts), and Data Recency (20 pts), with negative adjustments for any red flags. A score of 63 ('Partial transparency') means some public data is on file but key signals are missing - worth a closer look before donating. For comparison, the average integrity assessment for health charities in United Kingdom is 86/100.
National Aquarium Limited is located in Plymouth, United Kingdom. The organization was established in 2003 and has been active for 23 years.
National Aquarium Limited is classified as a Health organization, registered in United Kingdom. It operates as a Charitable Company. By size, it is categorized as a medium organization.
No red flags have been detected for National Aquarium Limited. GiveRadar automatically screens charities for concerning patterns including high executive compensation, low program spending, and missing financial filings. Based on available official data, no issues have been identified.
According to GiveRadar's records, National Aquarium Limited is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and overseen by the Charity Commission. The organization has a moderate Trustpilot rating of 3.6/5. You can donate directly through their official donation page linked on their GiveRadar profile. GiveRadar provides data for research and does not endorse any organization. A GiveRadar Integrity Assessment reflects how much public data is available, not whether an organization is safe to donate to, so it is always smart to do your own research before giving.
To educate the public and promote the conservation of marine and freshwater aquatic organisms by the provision of an aquarium. National Aquarium Limited is classified as a health organization registered in United Kingdom. The organization was founded in 2003.
National Aquarium Limited is a charitable company limited by guarantee, the most common incorporated form for UK charities. It is registered with both Companies House and the Charity Commission, and must file annual accounts with both regulators. Directors (who are also charity trustees) have limited liability. Its Charity Commission registration number is 1032491.
You can verify National Aquarium Limited in several ways. First, search the Charity Commission Register at https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/ - every charity registered in England and Wales appears here with its registration number, trustees, governing document, and filed accounts. Because this is a charitable company, you can also check its filings on Companies House (https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/). Second, check whether the charity's annual return and accounts are up to date - the Commission flags charities with overdue filings. Third, look for the Fundraising Regulator badge on the charity's website, which signals voluntary compliance with the Code of Fundraising Practice.
You can donate to National Aquarium Limited directly through its donation page (https://oceanconservationtrust.org/donate_). UK charities typically accept online card payments, direct debit, and bank transfer. Many also use platforms such as JustGiving or Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). If you are a UK taxpayer, make sure to tick the Gift Aid box: it lets the charity reclaim 25p from HMRC for every pound you give at no extra cost to you. Higher-rate taxpayers can claim back the difference between basic-rate and their marginal rate through Self Assessment. Payroll Giving (Give As You Earn) lets you donate pre-tax through your employer.
Donations to National Aquarium Limited are eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK income-tax or capital-gains-tax payer. Gift Aid adds 25% to your donation at no cost to you (the charity reclaims basic-rate tax from HMRC). Higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers can also claim back the difference through Self Assessment or by adjusting their PAYE tax code. Gifts of shares, property, or land to charity are free of Capital Gains Tax and can be deducted from your income for Income Tax purposes. Legacy gifts (in your will) reduce the value of your estate for Inheritance Tax and can lower the IHT rate from 40% to 36% if you leave at least 10% to charity.
National Aquarium Limited is based in Plymouth. The Charity Commission for England and Wales (CCEW) is the primary regulator. Scotland has its own regulator (OSCR), and Northern Ireland has the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI). A charity registered with the CCEW may operate across the whole of the UK or internationally.
National Aquarium Limited was first registered in 2003, making it approximately 23 years old. UK charities must file an annual return with the Charity Commission to remain on the register. A long registration history generally indicates sustained operations and continuous regulatory compliance.
Filing history
2 years on file from Charity Commission (UK) (FY2022): revenue, expenses, program spending, assets, and liabilities by fiscal year.
See 5 years of revenue, expense breakdowns, and balance sheet.
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Tax-deductibility for donors
UK donations qualify for Gift Aid. NATIONAL AQUARIUM LIMITED is registered with the Charity Commission. Eligible UK taxpayers can boost their gift by 25% at no extra cost.
NATIONAL AQUARIUM LIMITED is in United Kingdom, a TGE (Transnational Giving Europe) member country. Dutch donors can route gifts via Stichting Transnational Giving Europe to receive Dutch ANBI-equivalent deductibility, subject to TGE's 5% pass-through fee.
NATIONAL AQUARIUM LIMITED is registered in United Kingdom. US donors generally cannot deduct gifts to non-US charities directly. To claim a deduction, route the gift through a US 'Friends of' fiscal sponsor or a donor-advised fund that performs equivalency determination (IRS Rev. Proc. 92-94).
Always confirm tax treatment with the charity directly or your tax advisor before donating.
Leadership
From FY2022 filing
Officers & trustees (2)
Source: Public filings
2 officers and trustees on file - free with a GiveRadar account.
Latest news
From global news sources
No recent news coverage found
News coverage will appear here when articles mention this organization.
Activity timeline
Filings and press mentions, merged
Donor reviews (6)
3.2 / 5 average · includes imported Trustpilot
After travelling all the way from Teesside to Plymouth for our much anticipated experience as keen aquarium enthusiasts, our visit was cut short due to a group of noisy pre-schoolers shouting, running about and banging on the glass of the exhibits - we deliberately chose to attend at opening time and during term time to avoid crowds. We couldn’t sit to enjoy the view of one of the larger tanks nor the lovely ambient music. There wasn’t as much to see as we were expecting; no sea turtles or sea horses and the shark area was unimpressive; yet the various jellyfish and anemones were lovely to see. Even so, we agreed that The Deep at Hull was a much better experience.Despite this, we decided to go to the cafe until the children departed, before attempting another circuit of the one way system. Unfortunately an even larger group was escorted in, so we decided to leave instead feeling frustrated and very disappointed.It would have been lovely to have the option of an adult only session which would have made such a difference.
Trustpilot
unfair car parking fees with an option for up to 1 hour which is not long enough and then a jump to up to 3 hours @ £5.70 which is to long - why not up to 2 hours ?
Trustpilot
The tanks were wonderful, amazing displays. However, the toilets next to the cafe were shut, and we had a very difficult time finding the other ones! More signage to the various parts of the aquarium would be helpful, we had trouble finding our way around. And the lifts (I am on a mobility scooter) - one worked OK, but the other one was frustrating: lots of un-labelled buttons and a sign saying press 1 for up and 2 for down, but there wasn't a 2! Enjoyed the experience, however.
Trustpilot
I did the shark experience. It was fantastic. Tom guided us through the whole experience. Talked us through what would happen. What would expect. It was truly beautiful. And a special thank you to FRIDAY the turtle for his many nudges of the tank!!!! Thank you Tom and thank you NMA.
Trustpilot
This is a disappointing place to visit. The soft play area is advertised and basically never open with signs on the door stating closed until further notice, The place is looking very tired. No nice craft activities like they used to - far too many people are in there at any one time. Staff need to be more friendly. We’ve enjoyed visits in the past.
Trustpilot
The parking charges are unreasonable, offering just 1 hour initially, which is too short, and the next option jumps to 3 hours for £5.70, which seems excessive. Why isn't there a 2-hour option available?
Trustpilot
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Sign up to write a reviewCause areas in United Kingdom
How many charities work in each area, with this charity's area highlighted.
Most common causes in United Kingdom
Causes charities work on most, with this charity's causes ticked.
Sources and verification
- Registration and legal identity
- Charity Commission for England and Wales - Register of Charities
- Officers and trustees
- Charity Commission for England and Wales - Register of Charities - 2 disclosed in the public registry.
- News and media coverage
- GDELT Project + Google News
- Donor reviews (external)
- Trustpilot consumer reviews
- Community reviews (verified email)
- GiveRadar Community Reviews - 6 verified review(s) on file.
Data freshness
What we know and don't know
Exactly which public data we hold on this charity. Our score reflects transparency, not impact.
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Financial data · FY2022 on record
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Named leadership · 2 officers on file
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Government registration · Registered with an official registry
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Official website · On record
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Headquarters address · On file
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Direct contact · Email or phone published
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Tax-deductibility · Verified
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Founding date · 2003
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Executive payTop-officer pay not disclosed
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Mission statementNo self-published statement of purpose
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Programs & activitiesNo named programs listed by the charity
Methodology
GiveRadar builds each profile primarily from official government charity registries, supplemented where available by third-party nonprofit databases and news archives, and combines it into a single 0-100 integrity assessment. The exact sources for this charity are listed above. We don't take a cut of any donation, ever.
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Quick facts about National Aquarium Limited
- What is National Aquarium Limited?
- National Aquarium Limited is a health charitable company based in Plymouth, United Kingdom. To educate the public and promote the conservation of marine and freshwater aquatic organisms by the provision of an aquarium.
- When was National Aquarium Limited founded?
- National Aquarium Limited was founded in 2003.
- Where is National Aquarium Limited located?
- Headquartered in Plymouth, United Kingdom.
- Is National Aquarium Limited trustworthy?
- National Aquarium Limited has a GiveRadar Integrity Assessment of 63 out of 100 (Partial transparency). The score reflects public-data transparency: registration, financial disclosure, governance, contact details, and how recently data was refreshed. It does not measure program impact.
- What is National Aquarium Limited's registration number?
- Registration: 1032491 (United Kingdom).
- What is National Aquarium Limited's website?
- https://national-aquarium.co.uk
- Are donations to National Aquarium Limited tax-deductible?
- Donations may be tax-deductible for residents of United Kingdom under local rules. US donors should check whether the charity has an equivalency-determination letter or a US-based fiscal sponsor before claiming a deduction.