Cornish Seal Sanctuary
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Welcome to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, Cornwall!
Dive into an ocean experience at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary - Cornwall’s fun family day out with seal rescue at the heart of everything they do!
- Entry to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary
- Add Gift Aid and get free entry for a whole year from the day of your first visit
- eTickets sent instantly by email and text
A wildlife haven on the edge of the Helford River, near Helston, experience wildlife up close at Cornwall’s only seal sanctuary.
Visit the rescue pups before they're returned to the wild, take the dog on one of the woodland walks and re-discover nature at Secret Creek. With seals, penguins and beavers among Cornish Seal Sanctuary's long-term residents, there’s always something to learn and explore no matter the season.
Passionate about marine conservation at Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Marine conservation is a vital part of the Sanctuary’s mission to make positive change to our coastlines. Learn more about what’s happening to our oceans and what you can do to help during your visit!
From plastic pollution to climate change, we’re passionate about educating our young generations, so they can help make a difference for years to come.
From rescue to release
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is home to Cornwall's first Seal Hospital. Here, follow the journey of seal pups in need, from rescue through to rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild.
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary rehabilitates an estimated 70 grey seal pups every year, with each pup costing an estimate £2,000. The continued support from guests makes this possible, so you'll know your visit is making a difference.
Add Gift Aid for no extra cost and free entry for a whole year!
When booking your tickets, we'd love it if you add Gift Aid - there's no extra cost and you'll be supporting the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and all the hard work they do.
Plus, with a Gift Aid purchase, you bag yourselves a ticket that gives you free entry to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary for a whole year from the day of your first visit.
Please note, you need to be a UK taxpayer to add Gift Aid.
How to get there
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is located in Gweek Village.
By Car:
When you arrive by car at Helston, head for R.N.A.S. Culdrose on A3083 (signposted Lizard), drive along this road to the roundabout. Turn left at the roundabout (sign posted St Keverne). About ½ mile along on the B3293 road, turn left and follow the signpost to Gweek. When you arrive in Gweek village, turn right just before the "The Black Swan" pub and follow the signs to Seal Sanctuary.
By Bus:
The Service 35 and 35A buses run regularly from Falmouth and Helston to Gweek Village.
- Toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Café
- Accessible parking
Dogs are welcome to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary but must be kept on leads at all times.
Due to the nature of the location, there are some steep gradients on site. From the main reception area and car park, it is about a 600m walk to our seal hospital, and then a further 300m downhill to our seal pools.
Visitors using mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs:
The hills leading down to the pools may exceed 16° which may not be suitable for some mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs. Please check your instruction manuals before visiting.
For visitors unable to use their mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs on steep slopes, we do have limited accessible parking available near the hospital and seal pools.
Vehicle Assistance:
For visitors that may need mobility assistance due to the site’s steep gradients, we have a golf buggy that operates on a seasonal basis that can take up to four passengers or two passengers plus a wheelchair or mobility scooter. On some days, the golf buggy may be unavailable and so the on-site van is able to take up to four passengers.
For days that neither the golf buggy or on-site van is available, or for visitors unable to use these for any reason, there is limited accessible parking available near the hospital and seal pools.
Please speak to a member of the team on arrival if you require this assistance.
Accessible Parking:
The main accessible parking area is immediately in front of the main reception, or there are a limited number of spaces to park by the seal pools which is then on a relatively flat surface, giving you access to all of our residents and beaver enclosure.
Accessible Toilets:
The accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are located in front reception, and on the left hand side of the Seal Hospital. The baby-changing facilities include changing units with a weight limit of 50lbs. Unfortunately, there are no accessible toilet facilities once down the hill by the seals pools due to the estuary location.