Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Cornwall Wildlife Trust – one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK – believes in a wilder future for Cornwall, where our wildlife and wild places are cherished for all to enjoy. With the support of our members, we implement projects on land and at sea, conducting campaigns and managing wild spaces to ensure nature in Cornwall thrives for future generations.

We want our nature reserves to reverberate with the joyful sounds of wildlife, to be havens in which rare species flourish and colourful plants thrive.

Just a short walk from Polzeath Beach House, Pentire Head and Rumps Cliff are part of a spectacular coastal reserve managed by the National Trust with collaboration from Cornwall Wildlife Trust. This dramatic stretch of coastline offers breathtaking views and is a haven for seabirds such as puffins and razorbills, as well as wildflowers like sea thrift and heather. The area also offers several walking trails, allowing visitors to enjoy a peaceful coastal walk with stunning panoramic views.

The Downs is an extensive tract of heathland, once more widespread in this part of Cornwall. Woodland and heath are also found here and support a wide range of habitats. The boggy areas have large populations of bog asphodel, round-leaved sundew and pale butterwort. Cornish bladder seed grows on the southern edge of the Downs. Small heath, grayling and green hairstreak butterflies can be seen on summer days in the short heath areas.