The Best Spots for Nature Lovers in Cornwall: Wildlife, Marine Life and Natural Wonders

One of the reasons we love living in Cornwall is that it is a paradise for nature lovers. From rugged cliffs teeming with seabirds to ancient woodlands, tranquil lakes, hidden estuaries, and wildflower-strewn meadows, there is no shortage of breathtaking landscapes to explore. At Trewena Cottages we are surrounded by some of the best of it. Whether you love hiking, birdwatching, rock pooling, or simply soaking up the outdoors, there is something here for you.

This is our local’s guide to Cornwall’s best nature spots, organised by habitat. Many are within a short drive (or even a walk) of Trewena. A few are worth the longer trip.

1. Rugged coastlines and clifftop wonders

South West Coast Path

Stretching over 630 miles, the South West Coast Path offers some of the most spectacular walks in the country. Near us, the route from Falmouth to Maenporth is a stunner, with cliff-top views, hidden coves, and a chance to spot seals, peregrine falcons, and the occasional pod of dolphins. Keep an eye on the cliffs for kestrels hovering, and in spring the grassy verges explode with wildflowers, especially thrift and sea campion.

The Lizard Peninsula

Home to some of Britain’s rarest flora and fauna, The Lizard Peninsula is a must-visit. Its unique geology supports rare wildflowers, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot Cornwall’s famous chough, a striking red-beaked bird that has made a comeback in recent years. Kynance Cove, with its turquoise waters and striking rock formations, feels almost tropical on a sunny day. Lizard Point is the UK’s most southerly tip and a hotspot for rare plant species, including the beautiful Cornish heath which only grows here.

Bedruthan Steps

One of Cornwall’s most dramatic coastal landscapes, Bedruthan Steps is a series of colossal sea stacks surrounded by golden sands. A haven for seabirds, this National Trust site is perfect for photography, wildlife spotting, and rock pooling. In spring and early summer, waves of pink thrift cover the headlands. It’s also a fantastic spot for sunset.

2. Woodlands and garden havens

Kennall Vale Nature Reserve

A bona-fide hidden gem near Penryn. Kennall Vale was once a 19th-century gunpowder works, and its mossy ruins, rushing streams, and dense trees now create a fairytale-like setting. Watch for kingfishers and otters. Come spring, wild garlic carpets the forest floor with the smells to match, a real treat for the senses. Bats emerge at dusk, and if you’re very light on your feet you might glimpse a roe deer weaving through the trees.

Tehidy Woods

Cornwall’s largest area of woodland, Tehidy, miles of paths through peaceful native forest, home to grey squirrels, badgers, and a huge variety of birdlife. Lovely in autumn when the trees colour up. Once part of the great Basset family estate, today the marked trails lead to hidden ponds. There’s a small café near the northern entrance and good picnic spots.

Devichoys Wood

A Cornwall Wildlife Trust ancient woodland reserve just outside Penryn, Devichoys Wood is a quiet, lesser-known spot, especially good for spring bluebells and autumn fungi. The mix of oak, beech, and hazel supports a rich understory and bird community. Genuinely under-the-radar, even for many locals.

Trebah and Glendurgan Gardens

For a more cultivated but no less wild experience, Trebah and Glendurgan Gardens sweep through valleys towards the Helford River. Both create sheltered microclimates that encourage an amazing variety of flora and fauna. Trebah’s sub-tropical valley is a paradise of tree ferns, giant gunnera, and meandering streams. Glendurgan is famous for its 19th-century laurel maze, just as fun for adults as for children.

Penjerrick Garden

Often called Cornwall’s wildest garden, Penjerrick is a privately-owned 15-acre romantic garden between Falmouth and the Helford. Less manicured than Trebah or Glendurgan, but with a similar microclimate that supports tree ferns, giant rhododendrons, and rare bamboos. Open on a limited schedule (usually a few days a week in season), worth checking before you go.

3. Wetlands, rivers, and hidden estuaries

Helford River and Frenchman’s Creek

The Helford River is one of Cornwall’s most peaceful estuaries, winding through ancient oak woodlands. Best explored by kayak, it’s home to otters, herons, and egrets. Daphne du Maurier’s Frenchman’s Creek was inspired by this magical landscape. Out on the water, the tree-lined banks reflect onto the mirror-like surface on a still day.

Marazion Marsh

This RSPB reserve is a fantastic place for birdwatching. Located near St Michael’s Mount, it’s home to bitterns, marsh harriers, and a huge variety of wetland birds. Spring and autumn migrations bring an influx of rare species. The reedbeds shelter elusive water rails too.

Loe Pool and Penrose Estate

Cornwall’s largest natural freshwater lake, Loe Pool, is a serene spot for a nature walk. The surrounding Penrose Estate offers a mix of woodland and coastal paths, great for dragonflies, kingfishers, and the elusive otter. Once home to the Penrose family, the parkland is a genuine mix of nature and history.

Bissoe Valley Nature Reserve

A reclaimed-mining valley turned Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserve, Bissoe is a fascinating mix of industrial heritage and recovering ecology. The Bissoe cycle trail runs through it, otters and dragonflies are regulars, and the reedbeds are a stronghold for warblers in summer. Park at the bike-hire centre and walk or cycle in.

4. Lakes and birdwatching havens

Argal Lake

A peaceful reservoir near Trewena, Argal Lake has a 2-mile circular walk, dedicated birdwatching hides, and is a haven for waterfowl. We walk here most days with the dog and frequently spot great crested grebes, cormorants, and herons stalking the shallows. There’s a wooded section at the far end with a hide. Get up at dawn and you may see the resident barn owl too.

Stithians Lake

One of Cornwall’s top birdwatching sites, Stithians Lake has three hides perfect for spotting waders, wildfowl, and even ospreys during their autumn migration. The surrounding moorland and meadows are excellent for butterflies and dragonflies in summer.

5. Seals and marine life

Cornwall is one of the best places in the UK to see grey seals in the wild. The cliffs and coves give natural vantage points where you can watch from a polite distance without disturbing them.

Mutton Cove, near Godrevy

The classic seal-spotting walk. Godrevy Head is a National Trust headland looking over Godrevy Lighthouse, and just north along the coast path you’ll find Mutton Cove, a sheltered cove where dozens of grey seals haul out on the sand below the cliffs to rest, moult, and pup. Look down from the path (don’t descend), bring binoculars, and ideally come at low tide. About an hour’s drive west of Trewena and absolutely worth it.

The seal cove near Polly Joke and Crantock

On the north coast between Polly Joke (Porth Joke) and Crantock, a small hidden cove tucked into the cliffs is another reliable seal haul-out, the sort of spot where you’ll round the headland on the coast path and look down to see thirty or forty grey seals piled across the sand. It’s pictured at the top of this post. Walk east from West Pentire car park or west from Crantock village along the coast path; either way it’s a short stretch with big payoff. About an hour’s drive from Trewena, easy to combine with Holywell Bay or a Crantock pub lunch. As with all seal sites, watch from above and don’t descend. They spook easily, and a bolt for the water at high tide can injure pups.

Lizard Point

The southerly tip of the country and a reliable spot to see seals lounging on the rocks below. The cliff path around the lifeboat station and Polpeor Cove gives easy viewing on calm days. Combine with the Lizard Peninsula’s rare wildflowers and a stop at Kynance Cove for a full day’s outing.

Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek

Located in Gweek, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured and orphaned seals. Visitors can learn about their conservation work while getting up close to grey seals, common seals, and even the sanctuary’s resident walrus. The sanctuary also rehomes beavers and otters, making it a fantastic visit for nature lovers of all ages.

AK Wildlife Cruises, Falmouth

For marine life out on the open sea, AK Wildlife Cruises run guided boat trips from Falmouth to spot dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, and (with luck) whales. Expert guides provide insights into Cornwall’s marine ecosystems. A genuinely immersive wildlife experience and an easy day out from Trewena.

6. Sanctuaries and Trewena’s natural haven

Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary

Right next door to Trewena, the Flicka Foundation is home to over 100 rescued donkeys and ponies, and one of Falmouth’s top attractions. A peaceful sanctuary where you can see these gentle animals up close while learning about the charity’s work in equine welfare.

Trewena’s own wildlife spaces

And then of course there’s us. As nature lovers, at Trewena Cottages we’ve worked hard to create a haven for wildlife within our own three-acre smallholding. Wildflower meadows feed bees and butterflies; the new orchard attracts a variety of birds. Guests often spot hedgehogs, badgers, and barn owls at dusk. Birdwatchers will enjoy blue tits, great spotted woodpeckers, and goldfinches, plus everything in our birdwatcher’s guide to Cornwall’s garden birds.

Whether you’re drawn to rugged cliffs, tranquil lakes, secret woodland paths, or seal colonies on golden sands, Cornwall’s wild side is more than ready to deliver. From Trewena you’re well-placed to reach all of it.