Dive into Our Aquarium Adventures
About Birchwood Aquatic Centre in Swanley, Kent
Welcome to Birchwood Aquatic Centre, Kent’s ultimate destination for all things aquatic. Whether you’re a beginner starting your first tank or a seasoned aquarist expanding your underwater world, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
Located in Swanley, we’re proud to be one of the largest and most established aquatic stores in the South East. With over 100 tropical aquariums, dedicated marine and coldwater systems, and a fully equipped pond department, our centre is bursting with life, colour and expert knowledge.
Our Story
Birchwood Aquatic Centre in Swanley, Kent has been at the heart of the aquatic hobby for over 30 years since 1978. Built on a foundation of passion, care, and hands-on experience, our business has grown into a trusted name among hobbyists, families, and professionals alike. Many of our team members have worked here for more than 25 years, offering a wealth of knowledge and continuity that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Our Commitment to Quality
We take great pride in the quality of our livestock. All of our fish – tropical, marine, coldwater and pond – are hand-selected by our team. We travel regularly to our trusted UK suppliers to personally collect the best specimens, ensuring we maintain our high standards. We don’t just take what’s available, we choose our stock carefully based on appearance, behaviour, and suitability for home aquariums and ponds. We select different fish each time we restock. This hands-on approach also means our fish experience minimal stress in transport and arrive healthy and vibrant.
Our fish are carefully acclimatised and quarantined in a dedicated facility housing over 60 tanks before reaching our retail systems. This extra step helps prevent the spread of disease and ensures our fish are strong and healthy before they go to new homes.
To protect your fish on their journey, we supply every fish in oxygen-filled bags. This gives them up to 24 hours of comfort during transit, whether you’re just popping round the corner or making a longer trip home.
What We Offer
Our aquatic centre is split into key specialist areas:
Tropical Fish – From peaceful community fish like guppies, tetras, and corydoras, to more advanced species such as cichlids and plecos. Our team can guide you on compatibility, care, and setup.
Marine & Invertebrates – A dedicated marine section featuring corals, crustaceans and stunning marine fish. We house them in carefully maintained systems using Red Sea Max setups to replicate reef environments.
Coldwater – A wide range of fancy goldfish and coldwater species, perfect for indoor tanks or unheated aquariums.
Pond Fish & Equipment – In season, you’ll find koi, goldfish, sterlets, oxygenating plants, and pond accessories. We also stock liners, pumps, filters, paints, treatments, and all the essentials for garden ponds and water features.
Dry Goods & Equipment – We carry a huge range of aquariums, filters, lighting, test kits, medications, foods, décor, and more. Whether you’re after a beginner setup or specialist gear, we can help.
Why Choose Us?
At Birchwood Aquatic Centre in Swanley, Kent, we’re more than just a shop, we’re part of your fishkeeping journey. We pride ourselves on offering:
Personalised customer service
Hand-selected, responsibly sourced livestock
Quarantine processes to ensure healthy fish
Clean, well-managed display tanks and systems
Practical, honest advice from real fishkeepers
A welcoming environment where no question is too small
Meet the Team
We’re a passionate and experienced team with a deep passion for aquatics. Our team includes lifelong hobbyists and aquatic specialists who are happy to share their knowledge. With many team members having decades of experience, we’re here to provide honest advice and help you make the right choices for your setup.
We’re also proud of our customer service, whether you need help troubleshooting an issue, planning a new setup, or just choosing the right food, we’re always here for a chat.
Recognised and Recommended
Our store has been featured in Practical Fishkeeping Magazine, who called us “a lovely shop” a sentiment echoed by our loyal customers. We believe in doing things the right way: healthy livestock, informed advice, and a friendly environment that welcomes everyone.
Come and Visit Us
Whether you’re local to Swanley or travelling from further afield, a visit to Birchwood Aquatic Centre is always worth the trip. There’s always something new to see, from rare fish deliveries to seasonal pond stock and new display tanks.
Sustainability
We prioritize eco-friendly practices, sourcing our fish and products sustainably to protect aquatic life and their habitats.
Customer Care
Your satisfaction is our goal. We provide knowledgeable support and tailored advice to ensure you have the best experience in your aquarium journey.
Innovation
We embrace the latest technologies and trends to offer innovative products that enhance the beauty and health of your aquarium.