National Seal Sanctuary

The National Seal Sanctuary began in 1957, and moved to Gweek in 1975. It started when a baby seal was washed up on the beach at St Agnes and discovered by Ken Jones, who picked it up the pup and took it back to his nearby garden. This was the start of a small rescue centre for seals and oiled birds. As news of his work spread and he received more calls about injured seals, Ken realised he needed more room.

After the move to Gweek, Ken gradually increased the size of the sanctuary and number of pools, to enable him to care for the increasing number of injured seals from around the Cornish coast. The present sanctuary is set on the picturesque Helford Estuary in the lovely village of Gweek. It provides a haven for injured and orphaned seal pups and is also home to both grey seals and common seals, as well as Californian and Patagonian sea lions, ponies, donkeys, goats and otters. Occasionally the facilities are used to rescue other marine creatures such as dolphins and turtles.

Today there are nursery, convalescence and resident pools, as well as a specially designed hospital. This includes isolation pools, as well as treatment areas. Most seals are eventually well enough to be released into the wild after treatment, but those which would not survive back in the wild, for various reasons, remain as guests in the sanctuary.

Every year around thirty seal pups are rescued from almost certain death around the Cornish beaches. They are taken to the seal hospital first and then, once they are on the road to recovery, are moved to the outdoor nursery and convalescence pools. An audio visual display illustrates some of the rescue work and visitors can wander round the pools. There is some underwater viewing and feeding times are particularly popular, three times each day.

Open every day of the year apart from Christmas Day. Our opening times are from 10am.

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National Seal Sanctuary
Review by: MissLcornwall on 2009-11-10 14:57:25
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We have been going to the Sanctuary for years and have enjoyed every second of it! There is just sooo much to do!!

Firstly, you couldn't ask for a more beautiful destination. The Sanctuary is set with a backdrop of the gorgeous Helford estuary in the quaint little village of Gweek, just outside of Helston. Theres the seal hospital (this is where the seal pups will be in winter), then several pools which are home to loads of different types of seals. Theres a seal rescue academy where one of the staff will teach you what they do when they rescue a pup and you get a chance to have a go as well. Theres the most wonderful underwater viewing areas - where you can watch the seals swimming towards you underwater!! The kids will sit and watch it for hours!! Then you've got the ginat rock pool which has loads of different types of fish, anemones, sea snails etc and you even get the chance to hold a crab or a starfish! Then you've got the brilliant woodland walk with the nature trail to follow, and two of the cutest otters I've ever seen! My kids have each adopted one and I'm sure they would happily take them home with them if they had the chance!

You've also got ponies, goats and sheep! And theres a great safari bus that kids just love. I'd recommend seeing the talks at feeding times, their so informative.

We visit at least 4 times a year with the kids and wouldn't change it for the world!

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National Seal Sanctuary
Review by: Chris on 2009-11-05 14:37:15
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Overall, if you asked me if I'd go back, probably - but not for a while.

We checked out the otters, had a play in the kids playground, watched the sea lions and then it was seals all the way!

Feeding time was quite good as there were one or 2 real cute baby seals around. But on the whole there'sonly so much seal you can take!

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National Seal Sanctuary
Review by: on 2009-09-07 14:50:34
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we went last year with our young son it was very exspensive but we did enjoy it. its a very good cause and the staff are very friendly and do a great job.
but feel they could provide a bit more for your money .

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National Seal Sanctuary
Review by: ZOE on 2009-08-07 11:54:10
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Very expensive at £13 per adult. When I went there was only about 9 seals in total!!! I think its good to support these causes, but I think this sanctuary needs to provide more value for money. I went to the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay which was £9 per person and much more interesting and better value.

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National Seal Sanctuary
Review by: Kath on 2006-06-17 14:53:05
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This is a wonderful place to visit. We go every time we visit Cornwall to renew our acquaintance with the resident seals and see the newcomers. The staff at the Sanctuary do a brilliant job of rescuing, restoring to health, and wherever possible returning the injured seals to the sea. You can help them by sponsoring any of the seals, we sponsored Twiggy who has sadly now died. A very worthwhile venture and an entertaining and educational day out for all the family.

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