The new London Aquarium oozes atmosphere. Millions of pounds have been spent on a whale bone viewing tunnel, flashy fact boards and, of course, fresh fish.

Visitors are greeted by a terrified octopus hiding in the corner of its new tank. The sign says that octopuses are “very good at escaping from their displays” but if this one dared try there would be 97 over-excited eight-year-olds waiting to scoop it up in seconds.

The viewing tunnel, built to resemble a whale’s rib cage, is impressive and good fun. It’s no more than 10 metres long, but offers great views of Conenose Rays, Racoon Butterflyfish and a Bamboo Shark.

The shark observation area hasn’t changed much, but remains the most exciting part of the London Aquarium. The Nurse Shark is particularly terrifying. With far too many teeth and eyes that make it look like the devil, the Nurse Shark spends its time circling the tank and looking like it might devour its smaller neighbours.

Another highlight is the rock pool area. Four starfish do half hour shifts in a plastic bowl to be peered at and prodded by tiny fingers. Most children who touch the orange starfish shriek then giggle, then describe it as “soft”. Each pool is lined with sea anemones which curl up when you touch them.

The assistant explains: “To you it just feels sticky, but if your finger was a prawn, it would be instantly paralysed by the tentacles.”

At £15.25 a ticket for an adult and £11.75 for kids, the spruced up London Aquarium isn’t cheap.

There is a small discount for a family of four, but you’ll easily spend quadruple that on a round of ice creams in the café. It can get crowded and the darker, smaller parts of the tour can be a bit claustrophobic, so avoid peak times.

But there’s a bountiful supply of amphibians to look at. Watching the rays being fed, listening to a shark talk and making sea life badges will keep most kids and adult fish fans amused for the best part of a day.

The revamped London Aquarium isn’t vastly different from its former self, but it remains a safe bet for an Easter outing.

Need to know

The London Aquarium is on the South bank of the river Thames, next to the London Eye

Entry costs £50 for a family of four (two adults and two children)

The aquarium is open 10am - 6pm, seven days a week (except Christmas day), with last entry at 5pm

There's a quiz to complete for those keen to immerse themselves in fishy facts

The aquarium has full disabled access with lifts to all levels