Name: Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park
Rating: 5.0

Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park

Goss Moor National Nature Reserve, United Kingdom

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in Cornwall, the Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park is a brilliant choice. Set near Indian Queens on Goss Moor, this dedicated rescue charity lets families get close to hundreds of rescued owls, beautiful birds of prey, and friendly farm animals. It is a wonderful destination for parents wanting an educational day out that gets children interacting directly with wildlife in a calm, accessible setting.

Standard admission prices start from £15.50 for children (ages 3–14) and concessions, while adult tickets (ages 15+) are priced at £18.00. Children aged under 3 go completely free, and family ticket bundles are available for £55.00. Pre-booking online is not required for general day visits, making spontaneous trips simple.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines animal conservation with an engaging walkthrough experience, this sanctuary is a premier choice. It provides an intimate, manageable setting where children can learn about raptor rehabilitation while meeting friendly farm residents.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Specialised Rescue Aviaries: Extensive enclosures housing dozens of rescued British, European, American, and Asian owl species.
Interactive Animal Encounters: Hands-on experiences allowing visitors to meet meerkats, foxes, wallabies, and lemurs up close.
Educational Flying Displays: Engaging outdoor demonstrations showcasing the agility and natural flying skills of sanctuary birds.
Flat Accessible Layout: Level terrain with hard surfaces designed to ensure smooth pushchair and wheelchair navigation across the site.

Top 5 Highlights

The British Owl Aviaries: Walk past peaceful enclosures housing native species including Barn Owls, Tawny Owls, and Little Owls. Children love spotting these quiet birds and learning about local wildlife rescue work.
Global Owl Collections: Explore international aviaries featuring majestic Snowy Owls, Great Grey Owls, and Eurasian Eagle Owls. It is a rare chance to view diverse global raptor species side by side.
The Meerkat Enclosure: Watch the inquisitive meerkats pop up from their burrows and interact with their environment. Children can even book a dedicated animal encounter here for an extra-close look.
Friendly Alpacas and Pygmy Goats: Meet gentle farm residents including curious alpacas, emus, and friendly pygmy goats. These animals offer a lovely, gentle contrast to the bird enclosures for younger children.
Daily Flying Demonstrations: Gather around the arena seating to watch expert handlers fly trained owls and hawks. It provides an exciting, educational spectacle that highlights the intelligence and agility of the sanctuary residents.

Facilities

Toilets: Accessible public restrooms fitted with handrails, low-level wash basins, and emergency alarm cords.
Accessibility: Level grounds with hard surfaces make the site entirely pushchair and wheelchair friendly, supported by on-site seating benches.
Buggy Parking: Open pathways allow parents to keep pushchairs with them easily throughout the park.
Food Options: On-site refreshments and picnic areas are available for families bringing their own lunch.

Pro-Tips

Check Satnav Directions: Be aware that some newer satnav maps may direct you to a dead end due to A30 dual carriageway updates; follow local brown tourist signs near Indian Queens.
Book Encounters Early: Personal owl or meerkat experiences are very popular and should be booked ahead of time by phone to secure a slot.
Wear Practical Footwear: Although paths are flat and hard-surfaced, comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploring the 13-acre site.

Targeted FAQ

Is the Screech Owl Sanctuary worth it for toddlers? Yes, it is wonderful for toddlers because the flat, level terrain makes pushing a buggy effortless, and little ones are captivated by the close-up views of pygmy goats, alpacas, and friendly owls.
How long does a visit take? Families typically spend between 2 and 3 hours walking through the aviaries, watching the educational flying displays, and stopping to meet the rescue animals.
Where is the best place to park? The best place to park is the sanctuary's own on-site car park located directly at the entrance off Goss Moor, which includes dedicated accessible bays near the gates.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction

Goss Moor National Nature Reserve: Expansive protected wetland and trail network surrounding the sanctuary, ideal for scenic walks.
Cornish Coastline: Golden sandy beaches located a short drive away toward Newquay and Padstow.
Blue Reef Aquarium: Popular indoor marine attraction situated nearby in central Newquay.
Trerice House: Historic Elizabethan manor property managed by the National Trust within easy driving distance.

What Visitors Love:

The peaceful, educational atmosphere focuses genuinely on animal rescue rather than commercial crowds.
The flat pathways make navigating with pushchairs and toddlers completely stress-free.
Staff members are exceptionally knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to share rescue stories with children.
Getting up close to owls during flying displays creates unforgettable memories for kids.

What Visitors Don't Like:

Satnav systems can occasionally misdirect drivers due to local road updates near the A30.
Public transport options require a short walk or pre-arranged station pickup, making car travel much more convenient.
Catering and gift shop options are smaller compared to massive commercial theme parks.

Animals & Attractions

Barn Owls: Native rescued barn owls housed in specialized breeding and rehabilitation aviaries.
Snowy Owls: Striking white arctic owls featured within the European owl collection.
Eurasian Eagle Owls: Massive and impressive eagle owls showcasing powerful physical traits.
Meerkats: Energetic small mammals residing in an interactive enrichment enclosure.
Alpacas: Friendly herd animals welcoming visitors near the main paddock areas.
Pygmy Goats: Playful farm goats that delight young children with their antics.
Raccoons: Intelligent North American mammals housed in secure enriched habitats.
Wallabies: Agile marsupials featured in dedicated walkthrough or viewing zones.

New for 2026

Updated Enclosure Upgrades: Modernized habitat designs focused on enhanced animal welfare and improved visitor viewing angles.
Expanded Encounter Slots: Increased scheduling for personal animal and owl experiences to meet high family demand.
Refreshed Accessibility Features: Further improvements to pathways and double-door entry points for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Streamlined Entry Gate Process: Fast-tracked admission ticketing at the entrance desk for day visitors.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Day Ticket Prices

Adult (15+): £18.00
Children (3–14): £15.50
Concessions (Over 60s, Students, Blue Light Card Holders, Military Personnel): £15.50
Under 3s: Free
Family (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children): £55.00
Additional Child with Family Ticket: £12.00

Annual Membership

Adult: £51.00
Concessions / Children (3–14): £45.00
Children under 3: Free
Family Membership (2 Adults + 2 Children or 1 Adult + 3 Children): £150.00
Family Membership (2 Adults + 3 Children): £170.00

Pricing URL: https://screechowlsanctuary.co.uk/visitor-information-prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Information: The sanctuary does not list standard birthday party packages on its official booking pages. For private group celebrations, school educational trips, or special event inquiries, contact the team directly by phone at 01726 860182 or via email at screechsanctuary@gmail.com.

March – June: 10:00am – 4:00pm
July – August: 10:00am – 5:00pm
September – 1 November 2026: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Open: Daily until 1 November 2026
28 April 2026: Closed for essential electricity supply upgrade work as part of the project to reopen the owl hospital.

Address: Goss Moor National Nature Reserve, United Kingdom

Post Code: TR9 6HP

Council: Cornwall

County: Cornwall

By Car: Located near Indian Queens in mid-Cornwall, just off the A30 on Goss Moor (Postcode: TR9 6HP).
Parking: On-site parking is available directly outside the main entrance, featuring reserved accessible parking bays.