Natureland Seal Sanctuary

Natureland Seal Sanctuary, also referred to as Skegness Natureland or Skegness Seal Sanctuary, is a prominent animal attraction situated on North Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England, adjacent to the beach.

History and Founding

The site at Natureland had existing butterfly houses known as the 'Floral Palace', an aquarium, and a gift shop prior to its establishment as a sanctuary. Natureland was founded in 1965 by John Yeadon and was officially opened by Princess Margaret. The attraction continues to be operated by Yeadon's family.

Attractions and Animals

Natureland is primarily a seal sanctuary, featuring a dedicated seal hospital. In addition to its seal rehabilitation efforts, it houses a small zoo with animals such as African penguins, crocodiles, goats, tarantulas, snakes, terrapins, scorpions, and various tropical butterflies and birds. The 'Floral Palace' comprises tropical glasshouses filled with exotic plants, including cacti from the US, Mediterranean shrubs, and banana plants. The sanctuary also includes an aquarium.

Conservation Efforts

A significant aspect of Natureland's mission is its seal hospital, which is responsible for rearing orphaned seal pups before their release back into the wild. Each winter, the sanctuary rescues between 30 to 60 seals. Notable rescues include a walrus named 'Wally' in 1981, which had strayed from its usual Arctic range, and a rare hooded seal from Greenland in 2012.

Visitor Information and Media Features

Natureland is open daily, with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, and charges an entrance fee. Facilities for visitors include a cafe/restaurant, a gift shop, and customer toilets, along with a children's activity area. The sanctuary has garnered media attention, featuring in the BBC children's television programme Blue Peter in 1966/67, a television series on Estuary TV in 2015, and a BBC One program, Countryfile Winter Diaries, in 2017.