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.

Occombe Farm

Occombe Farm Park & Play is a new visitor attraction. A mix of indoor and outdoor play, animal encounters barn and animal paddocks trail. Come cuddle the cutest bunnies and guinea pigs. Chuckle with the naughty goats, watch the very bouncy grey-faced Dartmoor sheep and spot the different breeds of chickens including some very cool and super fluffy silkies! There’s a couple of very pretty Shetland ponies too.

Come and play in the new indoor play barn. A unique space for outdoor play; indoors! For exploring and inspiring children aged 2–12 years. A space for make-believe, fantasies and imaginary adventures.

A visit to Occombe is family fun that contributes towards the care and protection of Torbay’s most beautiful green spaces. Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, a conservation charity, are keepers of these most important natural places for nature, wildlife, recreation and education. Places like Cockington Country Park, Berry Head National Nature Reserve and lots of wildlife-friendly woodlands, meadows, pathways and bridleways around Torbay.

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.