Cornish Seal Sanctuary - Bring the Dogs

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary sits on the bank of the Helford River at Gweek, near Helston. We drove out for about an hour and a quarter on our last day and it was well worth it.

It is a rescue and rehabilitation centre run by the SEA LIFE Trust, a marine conservation charity. They rescue and rehabilitate around 70 seal pups a year, each one costing roughly £2,000 to care for, and release the ones that recover back into the wild. The seals you see in the pools are either pups in the middle of their recovery or resident seals who, for one reason or another, can’t be released. There are sea lions too, and some very sweet and funny puffins who are absolutely gorgeous.

It is genuinely dog-friendly. The staff were welcoming and there were plenty of other dogs there when we visited. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site, with a few sensible exceptions: the Seal Hospital, the inside of the cafe (there is sheltered outdoor seating), and the safari buggy. There are dog water bowls dotted around, free poo bags to help yourself to, and treats at reception.

There is a lovely woodland walk that takes you past a beaver enclosure (empty when we visited) and some sweet sheep and goats. The views across the Helford are stunning.

Worth knowing before you go: the site is hilly. It is around 600 metres from reception to the Seal Hospital, then a further stretch downhill to the seal pools, and some of the gradients are steep. There is a seasonal buggy to help anyone who needs it. The ladies managed the walking happily, but it is more of a proper walk than a gentle pootle.

The ticket model is unusual. You pay once, and with a Gift Aid donation your ticket gives you free return entry for a full year.

I highly recommend this place if you are in Cornwall. They do such good work, and it is a wildlife day out that genuinely includes the dog.

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The facts

Status: Tried and tested
Region: Cornwall
Dog rules: On lead
Walk distance: 0.5-1.5 miles
Walk difficulty: Easy
Cost: Paid
Website: sealsanctuary.sealifetrust.org ↗

Facilities

Water tap
Toilets
Cafe on site
Accessible parking

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