Choose park
Check in
Check out
Guests
Check in/out
Guests
Search
A Guide to Cornwall Wildlife
Take a walk on the wild side on your next Cornwall holiday, with our ultimate guide to Cornwall wildlife. Discover family-friendly activities, visit renowned animal sanctuaries and wildlife parks, and spot Cornwall marine life in some of the best coastal locations in the UK. Cornwall is a nature-lover’s paradise!
Key takeaways
-
Discover the best places to spot Cornwall wildlife, from zoos and sanctuaries to natural coastal habitats.
-
Meet amazing animals at top Cornwall attractions like Newquay Zoo, Paradise Park, and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
-
Explore unique wildlife experiences, including owl encounters, monkey rescues, and British wildlife centres.
-
Enjoy Cornwall’s rich marine life, with opportunities to see seals, seabirds, and conservation work up close.
-
Discover the top Cornwall wildlife species to keep an eye out for throughout the year, including basking sharks, humpback whales, and tawny owls.
-
Explore Away Resorts’ Cornwall holiday parks as the perfect base for your holiday: Retallack Resort, St Ives Bay, Newperran, Newquay Bay and Bude.
Cornwall zoos and wildlife parks
If you want to experience the best of Cornwall wildlife, then the region’s many zoos, animal sanctuaries and wildlife parks are a great place to start! Here are some of our favourites that you should definitely add to your Cornwall holiday itinerary.
Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo is a highly-rated Cornwall zoo where you’ll discover hundreds of animals and plenty of greenery to roam through. There are even various events and talks where you can learn more about the zoo animals in Cornwall, including penguins and ring-tailed lemurs.
Find out more
The Screech Owl Sanctuary Cornwall
If you’re an avid birdwatcher, you’ll want to pay a visit to Screech Owl Sanctuary and Animal Park where you’ll find and learn about a range of hand-tamed owls. The Cornwall Bird Sanctuary provides care and rehabilitation for sick owls before releasing them safely into the wild or providing them with a home. It’s the perfect place to raise awareness and learn more about these beautiful birds.
Find out more
Cornish Seal Sanctuary Cornwall
Cornwall is famous for its marine life - especially its seals! So a visit to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is a must on your Cornwall holiday. The sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates grey seal pups in Gweek, giving visitors a chance to see these beautiful marine animals up close and learn about each one’s personal stories. You can even join staff on the breakfast rounds or be a keeper for the day!
Find out more
Paradise Park and Jungle Barn
Another popular sanctuary to visit is Paradise Wildlife Park Cornwall, home to 130 species of birds, as well as otters, red squirrels, and a variety of farm animals. Big on conservation, Paradise Park is a world leader in parrot conservation and is now conserving a variety of threatened mammals, like red pandas.
Find out more
Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary Cornwall
Located near Looe, this sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating monkeys. The sanctuary provides a home for monkeys that have been mistreated or abandoned. Join an educational tour to uncover insights into primate care and conservation.
Find out more
Porfell Wildlife Park & Sanctuary
Porfell Wildlife Park & Sanctuary near Liskeard is a haven for rescued and exotic animals in Cornwall. The park features a variety of species, including zebras, lemurs, meerkats, and reptiles. It also has a section dedicated to native British wildlife.
Find out more
Looe Island Nature Reserve
While not a traditional zoo or sanctuary, Looe Island offers a natural habitat for a variety of birds and marine life. Managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, it provides an opportunity for visitors to experience Cornwall wildlife in a more natural setting. Each of these destinations offers experiences and opportunities to learn about wildlife in Cornwall and the importance of protecting animal habitats.
Find out more
The National Lobster Hatchery
The National Lobster Hatchery, located in Padstow, Cornwall, is a marine conservation, research, and education charity focused on the sustainability of lobster populations and the marine environment. Bring the whole family for a fun and educational day out!
Find out more
Feadon Farm Wildlife Centre
Located at Gwel an Mor Resort in Portreath, Cornwall, Feadon Farm Wildlife Centre offers a range of unique and interactive wildlife experiences. The centre focuses on the conservation and education of Cornwall wildlife, providing visitors with opportunities to get up close and personal with a variety of animals.
Find out more
Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary
Based in Penryn, this donkey sanctuary in Cornwall makes a fantastic day out for families and couples alike. With over 100 donkeys and ponies on-site, the sanctuary provides a safe home for animals that have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Walk around the sanctuary, say hello to the resident donkeys, and learn all about their stories.
Find out moreCornwall wildlife spotting
While there are endless wildlife parks, sanctuaries and zoos to explore in Cornwall, you’ll also find plenty of Cornwall wildlife right on your doorstep. For a day of family fun, head out on a wildlife adventure and see how many of these native Cornish animals you can spot:
Cornwall wildlife in spring
From March to May, you’ll really start to see Cornwall wildlife spring into action. According to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, in spring you can expect to see:
-
Adders
-
St Piran’s crabs
-
Swallows
-
Rabbits
-
Basking sharks
-
Hedgehogs
-
Cuckoos
-
Marsh fritillary butterflies
-
Caterpillars
Cornwall wildlife in summer
As the warmer weather rolls in, it’s the perfect time of year to spot migrant and fledgling birds, as well as a number of other species:
-
Elephant hawk moths
-
Bats
-
Compass jellyfish
-
Kestrel
-
Silver-studded blue butterflies
-
Common lizards
-
Glow worms
-
Swifts
-
Dolphins
-
Spider crabs
-
SkylarksÂ
Cornwall wildlife in autumn
While the breeding season may be over, autumn is still a fantastic time to spot wildlife in Cornwall. If you’re heading on an October half-term break to Cornwall, here are some animals to keep an eye out for:
-
Osprey
-
Atlantic bluefin tuna
-
Tawny owls
-
Harvest mice
Cornwall wildlife in winter
Wrap up warm and get your walking boots on, because winter is an amazing time to go wildlife-spotting in Cornwall. See if you can spot any of these on your adventures:
-
Robins
-
Humpback whales
-
Waders
-
Lapwings
-
Birds of prey
-
Foxes
-
Rooks
-
Toads
-
Herons
Cornwall wildlife FAQs
What is the best place to see wildlife in Cornwall?
Wherever you visit in Cornwall, you’re guaranteed to see varied and beautiful wildlife, but there are some well-known hot spots to check out if you want to go wildlife spotting. For rare seabirds and marine life, check out the Lizard Peninsula. Or, if you want to spot seals lounging on the beach, head over to St Ives Bay. If you visit between April and July, Puffin Island is a must-visit for some rare puffin sighting off the Cornish coast.
What kind of wildlife can be found in Cornwall?
Cornwall is famous for its rich and varied wildlife, particularly its marine life. If you’re lucky, you may spot some of Cornwall’s most beloved residents, including grey seals, basking sharks, dolphins, and seabirds, as well as wild deer, puffins and otters. Check out the Cornwall Wildlife Trust for a full list of species to look out for.
How many zoos are in Cornwall?
There are nine Cornwall zoos and wildlife parks to choose from, so really, it’s about picking one near where you’re staying, or the one most suitable for your family’s interests.
Which zoo in Cornwall is considered the best?
Cornwall is home to a number of highly-rated zoos and wildlife parks, each catering to different interests and conservational focuses. Newquay Zoo is one of the best Cornwall zoos for a classic, full-day zoo experience, thanks to its wide range of exotic animals. For families with younger children, you may find Paradise Park is a good choice, with a soft play area and dinosaur trail that will keep little ones entertained. Or, if you’re more interested in marine life, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is widely considered one of the best marine life zoos in Cornwall.Â
Are there still lions at Newquay Zoo?
For fans of Newquay Zoo or just lions in general, it is unfortunate that the lions are no longer living here – but for good reason. Zoos must continuously review how their animals are kept, and with Newquay Zoo it became evident that the lion's enclosure was no longer suitable for them.
Instead, their new home at Paignton Zoo is much larger and will provide the lions with more room to live and roam comfortably. Even though they are one of the most popular animals to visit, it’s always best that their health comes first. But it’s still possible to go and visit them over at Paignton Zoo in Devon – which is Newquay’s sister zoo, so of course they’re still receiving the utmost care!
Experience the best of Cornwall with Away Resorts
Our Cornwall holiday parks are the ultimate base for your Cornwall holiday, set right in the heart of all Cornwall’s best attractions and wildlife parks.
Take a look at similar articles
Nathan Roots
Leading a dedicated on-site team for the past 4 years, he focuses on delivering exceptional guest experiences at one of the UK's most iconic seaside locations. Nathan contributes expert travel and destination content for Away Resorts, drawing on deep local knowledge of Cornwall's standout attractions, from the St Ives to St Erth scenic railway and St Ives harbour to Land's End, St Michael's Mount, and Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula.
Follow Nathan Roots for thoughtful takes, fresh ideas, and inspiring reads.