Animals & Wildlife

Search,Plan

And Book

You are here: Things to Do > By Type > Animals & Wildlife

Animals & Wildlife

If you love animals and wildlife then Devon’s English Riviera has a host of attractions just for you. There are lots of places to explore that will create wonderful memories to take home.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

Paignton Zoo is a world-class wildlife conservation park set in beautiful and extensive gardens with large lakes. The park is home to some of the planet’s most rare and amazing creatures. Discover all your favourites, including gorillas and orang-utans, giraffes, lions, tigers and rhinos plus some more unusual species. A must-see is the Crocodile Swamp. Here, amid the lush tropical foliage and steamy atmosphere, you’ll come face-to-face with huge crocodiles plus large snakes, turtles and fish. Then there’s Amphibian Ark, the Avian Breeding Centre and Monkey Heights. Paignton Zoo is a registered charity working on worldwide conservation projects.

Berry Head National Nature Reserve

Guarding the southern edge of Devon’s English Riviera, Berry Head National Nature Reserve, is a famous hotspot for thousands of local and migrating birds. Perched high up on 200 feet (60 metre) cliffs, this beautiful headland is surrounded by water on 3 sides and has some of Devon’s most breathtaking views. You can enjoy a pleasant walk up to the site from Brixham or drive up to the visitor car park. The high cliffs are home to the largest breeding colonies of guillemots on the south coast of England and these are Berry Head’s most famous residents. You can often see dolphins and porpoises just off the headland.

Marine Wildlife

Devon’s English Riviera has an amazing range of marine life and the whole area is protected under the Torbay Marine Conservation Zone. Fascinating marine creatures such as the long snouted seahorse, Devonshire cup coral, sponges, anemones, sea squirts and the native oyster all live here. Rock pooling is a great activity for the whole family with captivating crabs, awesome anemones, peaceful prawns and sassy starfish to spot. Goodrington Sands, Meadfoot Beach, Corbyn Head and Shoalstone are all top spots - Goodrington Sands has been rated in the top ten places to rockpool in the country. Look out for bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, grey seals and basking sharks that can often be seen near the beaches, in the harbours or off the headlands.

Number of results: 20

, currently showing 1 to 9.

Sort By Price - Lowest Price - Highest Grading: Highest A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

South West Coast Path

Address

English Riviera, Devon, TQ2 5JG

hello@southwestcoastpath.org.uk

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The English Riviera has 22 miles of coastline and a UNESCO Global Geopark, all of which can be discovered on the South West Coast Path, which runs along South Devon's beautiful bay between Maidencombe in the north and Sharkham Point in the south.

Type

Type:

Waymarked Trail

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Clennon Lakes

Address

Penwill Way, PAIGNTON, Devon, TQ4 5JP

PAIGNTON

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Clennon Lakes is a nature reserve consisting of manmade lakes created by the council in the 1980s. They are the most important wetland site on the English Riviera and home to many species found nowhere else in the Bay. On the lakes, you will find an…

Type

Type:

Natural Wildlife Site

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2026
Cockington Village and Country Park

Address

Cockington Village, Cockington, TORQUAY, DEVON, TQ2 6XA

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

Price
Free

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2026

An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.
Cockington is a quintessentially English village with Saxon origins which attracts many thousands of visitors each year. Some of the quaint thatched cottages and buildings in the chocolate box…

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Pre-booking appreciated for very large groups.
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
Price
Free

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Sharkham

Address

BRIXHAM, Devon, TQ5 9FH

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

BRIXHAM

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Sharkham Point is the headland to the south of St Mary's Bay. From here there are excellent views of St Mary’s Bay and the heritage coast beyond. There are further panoramic views from the coastal path that passes above the beach.
Beneath its cloak…

Type

Type:

Viewpoint

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Occombe Valley Woods

Address

Preston Down Road, Preston, PAIGNTON, Devon, TQ3 1RN

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

PAIGNTON

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The walk through Occombe Valley Woods includes pathways that are mostly gently sloping, although sometimes it does get steeper and does include some steps. This is a great place to take dogs, especially during hot summer days.
A dedicated local…

Type

Type:

Parkland/Woodland Garden

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The Grove, Churston and Marridge Woods

Address

BRIXHAM, Devon, TQ5 8LH

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

BRIXHAM

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The woods are mostly set around a valley so there are some steep hills as well as rocky, muddy footpaths which become slippery when wet and may not be suitable for those who are less mobile.
With over 100 acres to explore, a network of footpaths…

Type

Type:

Parkland/Woodland Garden

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Berry Head Nature Reserve

Address

Gillard Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 9AP

Telephone
01803 882619

berryhead@countryside-trust.org.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Berry Head National Nature Reserve guards the southern half of Tor Bay. One of the main gateways to the English Riviera Global Geopark, it is an internationally-acclaimed heritage site, home to a fascinating variety of wildlife and history, with…

Type

Type:

Animals & Nature

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Greenway Ferry

Address

Booking Kiosk, The Quay, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8AW

Telephone
01803 882811

info@greenwayferry.co.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Greenway Ferry & Pleasure Cruises offer a wide range of family trips - Visit Agatha Christie's Greenway House from Dartmouth with Greenway Ferries
Overlooking some of the most stunning views of the river Dart stands the home of Agatha Christie – the…

Type

Type:

Boat Trip
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Establishment Features

Cater for groups
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Scadson Woods

Address

Preston, PAIGNTON, Devon, TQ3 1RN

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

PAIGNTON

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Scadson Woods is a picturesque woodland situated between Occombe and Cockington. It is rife with wildlife including badgers, rabbits and even roe deer have been spotted here! With over 13 acres of woodlands, you can explore until your feet are sore!…

Type

Type:

Parkland/Woodland Garden

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site

Share Your Snaps

#EnglishRiviera

Real photos by real people. Use #englishriviera and you could end up on our social media gallery too. Experience the Bay your way! 🌴

With 22 miles of

coastline and 20 beaches on offer,

there's something

for everyone!

Search, plan and book

Book Now

Order your free travel directories

Contact English Riviera Visitor Information

Submit your event

Hello.

We'd love to hear what you think about the English Riviera!

Complete our short survey below to enter our free draw, and be in with a chance to win a two night bed and breakfast stay at the Mercure Hotel in Paignton.

Enter now

Don't Miss

The official tourism website for the English Riviera

This Official Tourism Website is managed by the English Riviera BID Company Ltd.

Company number 10237792

Registered address 5 Vaughan Parade, Torquay, Devon, England, TQ2 5JG.

Telephone 01803 211211 enquiries@englishrivierabid.co.uk

Ratings Powered By

My Planner

Animals & Wildlife

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

Berry Head National Nature Reserve

Marine Wildlife

Refine By

Refine your search

Dates

Address

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Price

Dates

Type

Type:

Venue Facilities

Parking & Transport

Price

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Establishment Features

Venue Facilities

Establishment Features

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Don't Miss

English Riviera Visitor Information Centre

Special Offers

What's On Monthly Calendar

Subscribe to our newsletter