National Seal Sanctuary

Welcome to the National Seal Sanctuary, home to the UK’s busiest rescue centre for marine mammals.

Set in 40 acres on Cornwall's beautiful Helford estuary, the National Seal Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and releases over 40 seal pups a year, providing a refuge for the seals / sea lions that are unable to be returned to the wild.

Enter our Seal Rescue Centre, where you now don't just learn about seal rescue, you can become a rescue volunteer yourself.  Discover how to tube feed a seal pup and take its temperature. Don't worry though, our special 'plastic' pups don't bite. The real seals can be observed at their most graceful from our underwater observatories.

NEW 2010: PENGUINS!!!!!

The Sanctuary is thrilled this year to welcome a colony of Humbolt penguins! These endearing and fantastically comical creatures come from the coasts of Chile and Peru where there are estimated to be fewer than 10,000 pairs still surviving. Colonies like this one may one day provide a vital lifeline for this endangered species. Their disappearance would definitely be a tragic loss for the animal kingdom.

And it isn't only seals and penguins that have a home at the Sanctuary. Come and visit our playful otters in our beautiful woodland walk and follow the Nature Trail. Discover the rockpools in our Cornish Coast Experience, hosting a fantastic combination of different types of fish, crabs, oysters and anemonies. The Sanctuary is also home to rescued ponies, goats, sheep and even a cat!

The Sanctuary:

          * Provides a permanent retirement for the most diverse collection of seals and sea lions in the UK

      * Entry ticket valid all day

      * Free parking

      * Safari Bus (Summer season)

      * Cafe, BBQ & Picnic areas

      * Childrens Playground

      * Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome

      * Group discount rates available for groups of 10+, booking at least 10 days inadvance

Daily interactive talks and feeding demonstrations makes this a day out for the whole family!

Information & contact

Address: The National Seal Sanctuary, Gweek, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 6UG.
Tel: 0871 423 2110
Website: www.sealsanctuary.co.uk
Email: seals@sealsanctuary.co.uk

SAT NAV ~ TR12 6UG, National Seal Sanctuary, Gweek, Cornwall.

Located on the Helford River in the village of Gweek, 6 miles from Helston, follow the brown tourist signs.