Living Coasts

TORQUAY’S coastal zoo is home  to nearly one hundred penguins as  well as fur seals, puffins, sea ducks  and wading birds. Explore beaches, coves and estuary habitats in  the heart of bustling Torquay.  Watch birds fly underwater, walk  with penguins and meet the black  rats – if you dare!

 Living Coasts offers easy access  for everyone. There’s a full programme of talks and feeds, when  you can meet the keepers and  their amazing charges. Living  Coasts also has a terrace café  (open to non-visitors) with fantastic views of the Bay. In the  evenings Wednesday to Saturday  plus Sunday lunch time you can  eat at Azure@livingcoasts, an a la  carte restaurant with stunning  views and food to match. This is a  real wildlife oasis right on the  Torquay harbourside.

 Between July and September the  theme at Living Coasts will be  Marine Marvels. There will be  trails to follow and craft activities  from coastal collages to lifeboats  to try out. The Maritime Coastguard Agency and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution will be  on hand to provide fun information packs on maritime and  coastal safety. During July you can  try your hand at designing a marvellous marine creature. Through  the summer holidays there will be  story telling sessions, puppet  shows and games.

 Between August 12 and 14 you  can take part in Splosh, Torbay’s  first ever marine arts festival. Join  Living Coasts and Torbay Coast  and Countryside Trust to celebrate Torbay’s marine environment past and present.

 Free events will include creating a  fossil footprint, painting a harbour scene, taking a ramble in the  rock-pools, listening to nautical  stories and building giant sea creatures from willow. The three-day  festival is being held at three sites  within the Bay: The Seashore  Centre, Goodrington, Berry  Head, Brixham and Living Coasts,  Torquay.

 Finally, August 15 to 19 will be  Marine Week at Living Coasts,  with guided seashore safaris, boat  trips and rock pool rambles.

 Visitor information:

Living Coasts, Beacon Quay,  Torquay, Devon TQ1 2BG.

Torquay’s coastal zoo, a registered  conservation and education charity with penguins, puffins, fur seals  and wading birds.

Telephone 01803 202470 or log  onto www.livingcoasts.org.uk

Entry prices: adult £6.75, child  £4.70, concessions £5.25, family  ticket £20.50.

 Opening times Every day from  10:00am.

Joint Paignton Zoo and Living  Coasts tickets are available.