Chun Quoit sunset by Ben Watkins
Visit Cornwall
Cornwall is a wild and wonderful place just waiting for you to discover.
Find out more about the wildlife that surrounds you and what you can do to help by visiting our species explorer, seeing what you can do to help wildlife where you live, advice on wildlife issues and how you can report sightings to the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS).
Cornwall has picturesque countryside views, hidden coves and over 400 miles of stunning coastline to explore. You can expect to see a rich variety of marine life, including sharks, seabirds and grey seals that frequent our shores, and on land, we have an exceptional array of wild creatures - from beautiful butterflies to rare, colourful birds and beavers that are back after centuries away.
Wild places to visit
Wherever you are in Cornwall, there’s a wild haven nearby for you to discover. From ancient bluebell woodlands to breath-taking wildflower meadows and even an offshore island to visit – there’s something for everyone!
Have a wild day out at our nature reserves
Cornwall Wildlife Trust manages over 50 nature reserves across Cornwall covering over 5,500 acres (2,000 hectares). Collectively, these nature reserves support all of Cornwall’s diverse habitats and are a haven for some of the rarest and most endangered species in the county.
Help us to put Cornwall’s nature into recovery
Our top five Cornish wildlife encounters
We want you to make the most of a wild day, weekend or week here in Cornwall, but please be aware that many wildlife species are under increasing pressure from human activity and therefore need our help and respect. Remember to give wildlife space and time, observe from a distance and avoid actions that may scare, startle or panic them.
Cornish Chough on the cliff, Image by Ben Watkins
Cornish Chough
Spot iconic seabirds on the coast of the Lizard Peninsula, including gannets, guillemots, shearwaters and one of Britain’s rarest birds – the Cornish Chough. As the only crow with a red bill and red legs, the all-black Chough is easy to identify. Despite being extinct as a breeding bird in Cornwall for many years, a tiny population has recently returned to nest here. It was known as the ‘Crow of Cornwall’ and appears on the Cornish coat of arms, so you shouldn’t leave without attempting to see one!
Common Dolphins off of Port Isaac, Image by Adrian Langdon
Dolphins and Grey Seals
Discover beautiful coastal wildlife from the clifftops! Grab your binoculars and watch harbour porpoises and dolphins making a splash throughout the year. You might see common dolphins or our resident pod of bottlenose dolphins that are very sociable and known for their ‘bow-riding’. Grey seals can also be found around our coastline – at sea or hauled out on beaches or offshore rocks. The UK is home to nearly 40% of the world’s population of grey seals, so make sure to watch them from a safe distance and avoid disturbing these globally rare animals.
Beaver at the Cornwall Beaver Project, Image by Nick Upton
Beavers
Visit the once-extinct beaver at the Cornwall Beaver Project HQ. These ‘ecosystem engineers’ have been transforming the landscape down at Woodland Valley Farm. Join us on an organized guided walk around this unique reserve to see what the beavers have been building, including the first beaver lodge in Cornwall in over 400 years! Visitors can see beaver dams in the daylight, then sit until dusk to try and glimpse these incredible animals as they emerge.
St Piran's Crab, Image by Adele Morgan
St Piran’s Crab
Head out at low tide to the rockpools around Falmouth and Mount's Bay to find a remarkable species of Hermit Crab. The St Piran’s Crab was rediscovered in Cornwall in March 2016 on one of our Shoresearch Cornwall surveys after a gap of almost 50 years. Following a hugely popular national vote on BBC Springwatch, the red-legged creature was named the ‘St Piran’s Crab’ after the Patron Saint of Cornwall. They have red antennae and equal size claws, unlike other hermit crabs, which makes them easily recognizable.
Silver-studded blue butterfly, Image by Ben Watkins
Butterflies
Watch butterflies flutter by at our Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserves. Head out to our Upton Towans nature reserve or Penhale Dunes (which the Trust also helps to manage) to see the rare silver-studded blue butterfly and dark green fritillary butterfly. A walk at our Churchtown Farm Nature Reserve on a sunny day in the summer will also reveal many butterflies, such as peacock, red admiral, comma and small tortoiseshell. Make sure to check the weather forecast beforehand – sunshine and light winds are the best conditions for spotting these beautiful creatures.
Keep a little bit of Cornwall with you
Keep hold of your own little bit of Cornwall by visiting our online shop and help Cornwall’s wildlife at the same time! We have great gifts for every occasion and budget, from eco-friendly clothing to calendars and lots more. All profits go directly towards protecting wildlife and wild places in Cornwall.
Be a wildlife hero!
No matter where you’re staying in Cornwall, whether on the coast or inland, you can take action to help our wildlife and wild places to thrive and put Cornwall’s nature into recovery. Here’s how…
Help us to put Cornwall’s nature into recovery
Bottlenose Dolphin, Image by John MacPherson/2020VISION
Your guide to Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises
Cornwall is among the best places in the UK to see these charismatic creatures. Find out where to see them in Cornwall, why they're threatened and actions you can take to help protect them.