About
the Sanctuary
What began as a small collection of owls has grown into one of Cornwall’s leading wildlife attractions, set within 10 acres of beautiful countryside on the edge of the Goss Moor National Nature Reserve.
The sanctuary is home to an impressive collection of owls and a diverse range of other species, providing a safe environment for animals while inspiring visitors to appreciate the importance of wildlife conservation. Through education, responsible animal care, and close-up wildlife experiences, the park encourages visitors of all ages to connect with nature and better understand the challenges facing many species today.
Every visit helps support the sanctuary’s ongoing conservation, rehabilitation, and educational work, ensuring it can continue to protect wildlife and inspire future generations to care for the natural world.
Our History
Our story began in 1990 when Tom and Carolyn Screech opened their garden to visitors, sharing their passion for owls and inspiring others to appreciate these remarkable birds. As interest grew, so did the collection, leading to the sanctuary’s move to its current 10-acre home in 1994.
From these humble beginnings, Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park has grown into a respected wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the care, conservation, and education of owls and other animal species. While much has changed over the years, the original vision remains the same: to provide exceptional care for wildlife, inspire a love of nature, and help protect these incredible animals for future generations.
New Ownership
A new chapter began at the end of 2019 when Kevin and Karen Hopkins took over stewardship of Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park.
Almost immediately, they faced the unprecedented challenge of guiding the sanctuary through the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to provide the highest standards of care for the animals.
Since then, they have embarked on an ongoing programme of investment to enhance the sanctuary for both its residents and visitors. Significant improvements have been made across the site, upgrading animal habitats, visitor facilities, and infrastructure to support the sanctuary’s long-term future. These developments reflect a continued commitment to animal welfare, conservation, education, and creating an enjoyable experience for everyone who visits.
Aims of the Sanctuary
While preserving our unique and extensive owl collection remains at the heart of the sanctuary, our focus has expanded to champion the conservation of British wildlife.
We actively support conservation programmes for several native species, while providing homes for others that help us educate visitors about the challenges facing Britain’s wildlife and the importance of protecting it.
Conservation and education are central to everything we do. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy engaging talks, flying displays, and animal encounters that offer fascinating insights into the lives of our birds and other wildlife. We also deliver educational sessions for schools, community groups, and organisations, both at the sanctuary and through outreach visits, inspiring people of all ages to value, understand, and help conserve the natural world.