If you love getting up close with incredible animals, Cornwall is the perfect place for unforgettable wildlife encounters! From hand-feeding the friendly fox at Screech Owl Sanctuary, to breakfast with the Seals at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Cornwall’s top attractions offer amazing experiences for animal lovers of all ages.
Whether you dream of stroking a barn owl, watching playful penguins, or even meeting meerkats up close, there’s something truly special about these hands-on adventures. Perfect for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a unique day out, these close encounters create lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Read on to discover the best animal experiences Cornwall has to offer and plan your next wild adventure!
Each year, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates around 70 sick, injured, or abandoned seal pups before releasing them back into the wild along the Cornish coast.
Visitors can hear all about the Sanctuary’s mission, meet the resident animals and enjoy a range of unique animal experiences onsite.
From the popular ‘Breakfast with the Seals’ experience, to interactive feeding sessions, guests can learn first-hand about the rescue and rehabilitation process and get to know the resident animals who call the sanctuary home.
For the ultimate marine enthusiast, their ‘Keeper for a Day’ experience offers the chance to get up close and personal with their resident animals. Working alongside their expert Animal Care team, guests can get stuck in with cleaning the enclosures, preparing food, and observing how to perform vital health checks, all whilst learning about the specialised care their animals receive.
Whether meeting the friendly seals, learning about conservation efforts, or exploring the sanctuary’s scenic surroundings at Gweek, these experiences create lasting memories while supporting the charity’s vital marine rescue work.
Book tickets online at least two days in advance and receive a sealtastic 20% off!
All tickets give you free re-entry to the Sanctuary for 12 months…so you can visit your favourite resident animals again and again.
Newquay Zoo is not just about incredible animal encounters – it’s on a mission to protect our planet’s rarest species and inspire future conservation heroes. Not only can you get up close to some of the rarest animals in the world, but our experiences offer a genuine, behind-the-scenes peek into wildlife care.
In the Junior Keeper Experience, young animal lovers get hands-on with our dedicated team, sparking an early passion for conservation while getting stuck in! For those who love a splash of fun, our Penguin Experience lets you get up close with playful birds – each with their own personality – and even join in on their feeding frenzy. And if you’re all about cute, fluffy encounters, the Red Panda Experience is a must. Meet the resident pair face-to-face, learn about their quirky habits and favourite food, and discover how the zoo support global conservation efforts.
Every encounter opens a window into their conservation mission and a step toward a sustainable future. Become a member for unlimited visits and help protect wildlife for generations to come!
Click here to find out more: Animal Experiences – Newquay Zoo
At the Screen Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park you can get up close with our owls, fox, meerkats, lemurs or wallabies. These unique wildlife encounters are personnel to the group that books the encounter. They can be the perfect gift or just a treat for yourself. These encounters support our conservation work and can reinforce a love of wildlife or spark a lifelong interest in wildlife.
For a longer experience for both juniors or adults why not book the keeper experience. This is a truly unforgettable experience providing those animal lovers in your life the chance to go behind the scenes and learn more about our amazing animals. As a keeper you will get involved in feeding and caring for some of our animals. Come ready to roll up your sleeves, get stuck in and have some fun.
Throughout the year The National Lobster Hatchery invite members of the public to help them to release some of the thousands of juvenile lobsters they release each year around the Cornish coast. An incredibly rare opportunity and one that will leave a lasting memory on all ages.
Dates and locations will be shared on their social media, follow along to find out more.
To see the lobster babies before they make their way to the sea, pop along and visit the team in their centre in Padstow, open 7 days a week.
Photo credit: Mat Arney
Get up close with the wonderful otter family at Paradise Park with this unique and educational feeding experience! Discover their individual personalities as you chat with our knowledgeable Keepers, who are happy to answer all your questions. Don’t forget your camera—there will be plenty of chances to capture unforgettable moments! This 20-minute experience promises lasting memories while also supporting our vital conservation efforts worldwide. For full details, visit paradisepark.org.uk.
