Gweek Seal Sanctuary

This is a very difficult attraction to write a review about. The Gweek Seal Sanctuary does such fantastic work and without them numerous seals would die needlessly every year.

If you want to learn about the seals, the perils they face and how the seal sanctuary resuces them you won't be disappointed. If you are looking for a commercial attraction, this isn't for you.

The setting is phenomenal with the beautiful Helford estuary in the background. Being perched on top of a hill it can be windy at times, as can much of Cornwall!

You get to see the keepers feeding the seals and they give a talk on the seals in that pool. Some of the stories are heart-breaking but make you realise how important the work these people do is. Take a look in the hospital and you can often find seal pups which have been rescued and are being hand reared.

There is a small eating area with a small menu. It's not the main selling point of the attraction, but if you preferred a picnic there are benches and you couldn't pick a better setting.

There is also a small playground and a woodland walk, both of which our children enjoyed.

Overall this is an attraction I would recommend visiting at least once in your life. It is probably a more parent-based day out but there is plenty of information for children to learn about the seals. The price is quite expensive for what is there, but I see it going to help these wondeful animals and I can't begrudge a penny of it.

Oh dear have to say we were a bit disappointed with the seal sanctuary. Very expensive, there was a tractor ride to take you up and down the hill but he didn't stop for us as we waited at the stop in the rain going down with 2 children. There were not many seals and they all looked a bit sorry for themselves, and there wasn't much else to do. The loos were portacabins and filthy. Lovely view from the top of the hill, and enjoyed looking at the few seals, but over-priced IMO.

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!

I have been to Gweek twice, once when my daughter was tiny and a couple of weeks ago. It is an amazing place. Not only do you learn so much about native and non native seals, but it gives you a great insight into another world. The talks / feeding times etc are wonderful. They are not shows as such but more trained routines that enable staff to keep an eye on the wellbeing of the animals.
The staff were amazingly friendly, knowledgable and accessible. The feeding times involved children and you went away feeling you had made a contribution to a good cause.
On admission I thought the cost high, but on reflection I can see they are totally reliant on donations and entrance fees to house and home rescued and disabled animals. (I also found that while on holiday if you scour the freebie papers / mags you do find major discount vouchers - half price entry etc)
All in all a great day out on both wet and dry days.