1. South West
  2. Cornwall
  3. Helston

Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Helston, Cornwall

About Cornish Seal Sanctuary

Nestled along the serene banks of the Helford River, the SEA LIFE TRUST Cornish Seal Sanctuary is Cornwall’s only seal rescue centre and a true haven for marine life. As a charity dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of seal pups, the Sanctuary plays a vital role in protecting these vulnerable creatures along the Cornish coastline. Each season, from September to March, the Sanctuary cares for over 70 seal pups in need, addressing issues ranging from malnourishment and infections to separation from their mothers.

A visit to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and witness the remarkable stories of survival and care. The Sanctuary’s Animal Care Team shares captivating accounts of rescues, bringing the individual tales of their seals to life. Each rescued seal has its own unique story, and visitors can learn about their journey from rescue to recovery and, for many, their eventual release back into the wild.

We have been established for nearly 50 years!

Gweek in Cornwall has been the home to The Seal Sanctuary for nearly fifty years.

Our mission is to rescue and provide expert care for sick, injured, or distressed seals and other marine animals in need of help who are found around our shores. After rehabilitation, we release them back into their natural environment once they are back to full health. Each year, we rehabilitate over 70 grey seal pups from local coastal waters and bring them into our specialist Seal Hospital.

Alongside our resident seals, we have just welcomed ten Icelandic rescue Puffins from our sister Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Iceland. We are the only place in the UK where you can see rescue puffins up close. Join us at Puffin Island to enjoy watching these characterful birds and hear their rescue stories.

Onsite Helford View Cafe

Take a break at our on-site café with views across the Helford River! Enjoy hot and cold drinks, delicious cakes, and sandwiches. Treat yourself to freshly baked Cornish pasties and warm sausage rolls, perfect for any appetite. Whether you're recharging during your visit or grabbing a quick bite, our café has something for everyone!

Kid's playground

Ahoy, young adventurers! Jump aboard the pirate ship and set sail with your shipmates in our exciting Discovery Cove Playground. Perfect for keeping little ones entertained while you enjoy a coffee, this fun-filled play area blends education and adventure, allowing kids to explore, learn, and play all at once. Endless fun awaits!

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Facilities

  • Toilets iconToilets
  • Free Wifi iconFree Wifi
  • Gift Shop iconGift Shop
  • Onsite Parking iconOnsite Parking
  • Accessible Toilets iconAccessible Toilets
  • Baby Changing iconBaby Changing
  • Food Available iconFood Available
  • Wheelchair Friendly iconWheelchair Friendly
  • Dog Friendly iconDog Friendly
  • Pushchair Friendly iconPushchair Friendly
  • Card Payments Accepted iconCard Payments Accepted
  • Wheelchair Hire iconWheelchair Hire
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Opening Times

Regular Times
  • Monday, 11:00 - 16:00
  • Tuesday, 11:00 - 16:00
  • Wednesday, 11:00 - 16:00
  • Thursday, 11:00 - 16:00
  • Friday, 11:00 - 16:00
  • Saturday, 11:00 - 16:00
  • Sunday, 11:00 - 16:00

See the website for seasonal opening times.

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Pricing & Tickets

General Admission
  • Child (3-16) : £19.99
  • Adult (17-18+) : £22.99
  • Babies and Toddlers (0-3) : Free

General Admission
Adults: £22.99
Kids (3-15): £19.99
Under 3's: Free
Seniors: £21.99

Book in advance for cheapest tickets

Find other attractions similar to Cornish Seal Sanctuary by visiting our attraction tickets section.

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Plan Your Visit

Stopwatch IconTypical visit time 3 - 4 hours

Tick IconSuitable for Kids and Adults too

Food & Drink Options

We offer a range of pasties, sausage rolls and sandwiches which vary seasonally. We always have vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available. We also offer a range of hot and cold drinks plus snacks, including savoury and sweet options.

Our hot drink prices start from £2.75, we offer hot food from £3.75 and sandwich options from £2.50.

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FAQs

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Parking

Toilets Icon

Toilets

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Family Friendly Options

Food & Drink

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Accessibility Information

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Tickets & Bookings

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Private Hire & Birthday Parties

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Public Transport

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Contact Details

The Seal Sanctuary
Gweek
Helston
Cornwall
TR12 6UG
England

Tel: 01326221361

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Transport Information

There is a bus route into Gweek which is a 5-minute walk to the Sanctuary.

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Verification & Last Updated

Verified Status:Verified

This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.

Last Updated: 15:20 28/05/2026

Cornish Seal Sanctuary Reviews

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