The world’s most innovative ‘out of water’ shark experience is heading to the UK, and it’s set to make its debut at Chester Zoo later this month.
Visitors heading to the UK’s largest charity zoo this summer will be some of the first in the country to get to make the most of the brand-new immersive exhibition known as Planet Shark: Predator or Prey – which aims to highlight “the wonder of sharks”.
Working with global creative company, Grande Experiences, the new exhibition at the zoo will feature an impressive 360-degree underwater digital display, as well as life-sized shark models.
There’ll even be the jaws of a prehistoric megalodon shark, which is the largest fish ever recorded.
Set to showcase millions of years of evolution, Chester Zoo says the exhibition will also shine a light on the wide-ranging threats sharks face, such as ocean plastics and illegal shark fin trade, and conservationists hope it will leave people with “a new level of respect” for the ocean’s oldest and most effective predators.
“This groundbreaking exhibition could not have come at a better time,” admits Charlotte Smith, Director of Conservation Education & Engagement at Chester Zoo.
“Years of fishing pressures and misrepresentation have pushed many of the world’s shark species to the very brink of extinction, but the launch of Planet Shark: Predator or Prey aims to showcase these incredible animals in a whole new light, increase people’s understanding of the threats they face, and show how together we can ensure their future.”
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Immersive ‘out of water’ shark experience with life-sized models to make UK debut at Chester Zoo / Credit: Cheshire Oaks
Chester Zoo’s Head of Marketing, Helen Dean, says the new exhibition is to be produced on a size and scale “never seen before here in the UK”.
She added: “This is a unique experience that includes an immersive cinematic display delivered in a true 360-degree environment, life-size shark models cast from real animals, and extremely rare fossils dating back around 370 million years.
“As a wildlife conservation charity, we want to create a future where nature survives and thrives.
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“This experience will leave our guests with a much deeper understanding of these magnificent, yet sadly misunderstood animals.”
The UK’s largest charity zoo is inviting people to “sink their teeth” into the new exhibition / Credit: Chester Zoo
Planet Shark: Predator or Prey will officially open on 25 May and will run until 31 October.
The exhibition will be free with normal zoo admission, and Chester Zoo is offering its members an exclusive preview of the exhibition between 15-24 May.
Science and Industry Museum announces new major exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’
Emily Sergeant
A major new exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’ is making its world premiere in Manchester next year.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos will invite visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System when it launches at the Science and Industry Museum next February.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition will encourage visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition will propel families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Left teetering on the edge of our Solar System, explorers will then find themselves staring into the dark depths of space, on the lookout for any extra-terrestrial life that could be staring back.
Whether its sniffing astronauts’ smelly socks, dancing on an alien disco planet, feeling the tremors from a mysterious moonquake, or launching a space rocket, organisers say this new adventure will engage all the senses in a truly immersive experience.
This is the first time Horrible Science has been brought to life as a major exhibition.
The Science and Industry Museum has announced a new major exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’ / Credit: BBC | Science Museum Group
Visitors will get to see familiar characters from the BBC series – like Dr Big Brain, in particular – on their mission to find out more about our fascinating Solar System through interactive experiments, playful challenges, and sensory exploration.
The exhibition is being developed by the Science and Industry Museum in collaboration with producers of the Horrible Science TV show, BBC Children’s and Education, and Lion Television, together with Scholastic, who are publishers of the much-loved Horrible Science book series by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony De Saulles.
‘Unmissable’ objects from the Science Museum Group’s world-class space collection will also be on show when the exhibition premieres.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos will open at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester on 13 February 2026 for an 11-month run before heading down to London, and tickets are now on sale priced at £10 – with family discounts available, and under-threes going free.
Manchester Cathedral to host charity Christmas carols service to raise money for local NHS hospitals
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a charity Christmas carols service to raise money for our local NHS hospitals.
Organised by Manchester NHS Foundation Trust Charity and now in its twelfth year, Christmas Carols in the City will take place in the spectacular surroundings of Manchester Cathedral in a couple of weeks time, and it’s sounding set to be an enchanting experience for the whole family to be involved with this festive season.
The Grade I-listed Manchester Cathedral is one of our city’s most unique buildings, with the Gothic architecture truly being a thing to behold.
Christmas Carols in the City is being described as a ‘great way’ to start the festive season in style.
Hosted by Hits Radio’s Mike Toolan and sponsored by PG Tips, performances on the night will come from local Manchester choirs.
The event is family-friendly and festive fun for everyone, all while raising funds for the Foundation Trust’s family of NHS Manchester hospitals.
Every penny raised from this year’s event will help to build and run a MediCinema on the Oxford Road hospital campus, which will aim to bring the ‘therapeutic magic of the movies’ to patients of all ages cared for by hospitals such as Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Manchester Cathedral is hosting a charity Christmas carols service to raise money for our local NHS hospitals / Credit: Supplied
With room for wheelchairs, hospital beds, and medical equipment, and supported by dedicated nurses and trained volunteers, the new MediCinema will offer 260 screenings a year of the latest releases, alongside much loved film favourites.
In recognition of the MediCinema Appeal, Christmas Carols in the City will feature some much-loved Christmas movie classics at this year’s concert too.
Christmas Carols in the City will return to Manchester Cathedral for 2025 on Tuesday 11 December, with doors opening from 7pm and tickets now on sale.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd May 2023 
