Gweek, Cornwall, UK National Seal Sanctuary

I would recommend a visit to the Sanctuary, so long as you have plenty of money. The prices are not displayed until you are well inside and embarrassed to say you can't afford it. I saw the price for 2 seniors was £11 x 2, but was stunned when asked for over £26, only to be told that was with the addition of VAT. Absolutely disgraceful! They do good work here, but at these prices they will put people off.

The point about the glass viewing windows above was valid. they do need to be kept as clean as possible so people, particularly children, can see through them.

We drove a long way to this place after seeing a misleading brochure & wished that we'd phoned ahead for the prices. 1 pensioner, 1 adult and a 7yr old cost £40.00. We had to go in or disappoint our grandchild. Appreciate that they have their overheads but it's a disgrace to encourage families to visit at these prices! Our child could hardly see most of the seals as the glass sides are opaque with dirt.We appreciate that it is a working concern but that's more reason not to charge so much. This place should be run as a charity with donations from those who can more easily afford it. As a charity they could also scrap the 20% vat we had to pay. The "business/tourism" side needs to be run properly. Until it is, we'd recommend you see seals from a boat.

Expensive and poor value for money. The 'visitor experience' leaves a lot to be desired. The site looks shabby. I know they do a good job and cost are high but they should do a bit more for the tourist and visitor.

absolutely amazing a great party for me and my friends lovely seals and penguins and also the otters they were all so lovely. I loved best throwing in the fish for the seals. The gift shop was great lots of great things for me to buy. There was actually nothing i did not like about. i have now adopted a seal at the seal sancutary called weasly, this was one of my best partys thank you.

Expensive, seal basin in poor condition (looks dirty). Unclear whether the seals were in poor health or are kept in poor condition. On the other hand (posters/exhibition in the lobby) shows the "rescue team" in great venturing spirit on a sea expedition looking out for seals. Not really convinced where my money went to (seals or entertaining seal rescuers?). Would have been helpfull if I was informed beforehand where my money was going.

We suggested a visit to the sanctuary for our son, his American wife and 4 children aged 1, 4, 7, and 9, also our daughter and 2 children aged 8 and 12. it cost us, 2 pensioners, £25 with the concessions !!!, a family of 5 £52 and our daughter and 2 children £37

For this exorbitant entrance fee we saw 2 sheep, 2 goats, 2 ponies, some penguins, some seals being fed, some sea lions, 2 otters being fed in a small pool,an empty hospital, empty nursery pools, some sea anenomes, crabs and fish.We saw all this in 2 hours.

To say we were embarrassed would be the understatement of the year.I had to tick a rating, value for money, and ages suited, to have this accepted or I would have left these blank.

Anyone wanting to spend an educational pleasant afternoon with the children, don't choose the seal sanctuary, what a total rip off.

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! 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!

Just been to the National Seal Sanctuary and had a great day out, the kids loved it! It's not just seals there are sea lions, otters, ponies, goats and sheep. The kids really enjoyed the rock pool area where they got to hold starfish and crabs, on the day we visited there was also badge making and face painting. Food was good value for a attraction.

At the National Seal Sanctuary the seal rescue and rehabilitation work is inspiring. The staff are informative and knowledgeable and obviously care greatly about the animals. The admission price is a bit steep but it's important to remember that the sanctuary is caring for sick/injured seals and is not a zoo, therefore, costs of care will be more expensive. Take the time to watch the seal feeds and speak to the keepers who are always happy to tell you about the seal pup work.

Very poor value for money, a long wait to get in with only one staff member on desk chatting away at the top of her voice to everyone regardless of the gathering queue outside in the rain.

Very few seals and the first port of call is the hospital "please come in and see our new seals".....empty!?

The next bit is the seal enclosure and very few seals at all about 10 in total including a couple of sea lions. All looked a little dirty and tired(enclosure). Then off to see the otters 2 in total that you have to be lucky to see at all. We spent around 1 hour there and most of that is walking to and from the enclosures.

At £12 each and £36.00 per family I would seriously consider going elsewhere.