Living Coasts (Closed) First Visit

[Brum]

Hi all,
We were supposed to be hitting The Netherlands in a month or so but unfortunately that plan has fell through ... So I've decided that a week on the English Riviera is called for instead!
We're going to be visiting Paignton (obviously) but I also want to visit Living Coasts but would like a decent assessment of the place from a family perspective. For example, how child-friendly is it? Also, how long would it take to get around?
I'm not a massive bird fan but I really want to see the puffins and the penguin walk through. As a none-birder is there anything else that will attract my attention?

Thanks all in advance!

 

[Johnny Morris.]

Hi all,
We were supposed to be hitting The Netherlands in a month or so but unfortunately that plan has fell through ... So I've decided that a week on the English Riviera is called for instead!
We're going to be visiting Paignton (obviously) but I also want to visit Living Coasts but would like a decent assessment of the place from a family perspective. For example, how child-friendly is it? Also, how long would it take to get around?
I'm not a massive bird fan but I really want to see the puffins and the penguin walk through. As a none-birder is there anything else that will attract my attention?

Thanks all in advance!

If i'd have taken all the family i'd have felt short changed. You'd be hard pushed to spend an hour there. I have combined a visit there with Shaldon which is not to far away. Living Coasts is nice enough, it just didn't float my boat.

 

[TriGB]

When it first opened it would probably have not been the best option if you're not a 'birder', however, it's now very much a different and more fulfilling experience. Once you have circumnavigated the outside areas [do this slowly and really take in the place from lots of angles and perspectives - even walking 'backwards' through the exhibit] you will enter the Roots of the Mangroves aquarium area with some excellent signage, murals and tanks. Again, move slowly. Then, there is a small climbing wall, Local coasts with some locally found Seahorses before you enter the Penguin gallery, arts & crafts area before finally descending down to the Octopus and interactive floor area. *Be sure to enter exactly at opening time or after 10.30 so as to get ahead of or follow the Language school groups. The Cafe has one of the best (if not the best) outlooking view over Torbay and even sells locally sourced beer and cider. The otters are almost always outside now but if not, make sure you get your ticket stamped so you can return later in the day, or, if the offer is still on, any time later in the same week!
I hope you enjoy it. Just remember, it is totally unique. The water in the tanks is pumped in from the Bay and returned cleaner than when it came in and the place really is trying hard in very difficult times.

 

[Brum]

Thanks both, I have tried to visit previously but spent too long in Paignton and missed
the opening times! Do the zoo and LC still do a combination ticket?
Also how easy is it to get to Shaldon by public transport? I've only been once and that was by car.

 

[Johnny Morris.]

Thanks both, I have tried to visit previously but spent too long in Paignton and missed
the opening times! Do the zoo and LC still do a combination ticket?
Also how easy is it to get to Shaldon by public transport? I've only been once and that was by car.

Yes they do do a joint ticket,(That's Paignton and LC, not Shaldon and LC.) and to be honest it's a lot better value than paying to go into LC on it's own. Not sure about public transport to Shaldon.

 

[Brum]

Yes they do do a joint ticket,(That's Paignton and LC, not Shaldon and LC.) and to be honest it's a lot better value than paying to go into LC on it's own. Not sure about public transport to Shaldon.

Thanks again Johnny, do you have to visit both on the same day or can we space them out over the week?

 

[Johnny Morris.]

Thanks again Johnny, do you have to visit both on the same day or can we space them out over the week?

You can space them out, not sure of the timescale though.

 

[Maguari]

Thanks both, I have tried to visit previously but spent too long in Paignton and missed
the opening times! Do the zoo and LC still do a combination ticket?
Also how easy is it to get to Shaldon by public transport? I've only been once and that was by car.

First rule of a double-zoo day - unless you have seriously compelling reasons to do otherwise (such as, for example, spending the two nights in different places so having to plan a journey) - always start with the smaller zoo! Then the big zoo can can take as long as it likes. And if the two end up taking less time than expected, it's usually much easier to while away any left over time in a productive and enjoyable manner at a bigger zoo.

 

[bongorob]

Agile Gibbon, Javan Rhino, Zoogiraffe and I did Living Coasts, Shaldon and Paignton in a day in August. It was by car though.

Shaldon is really tiny, an hour should be plenty.

First time I did Shaldon it was a train to Teignmouth and then the ferry across the river.

 

[Brum]

First rule of a double-zoo day - unless you have seriously compelling reasons to do otherwise (such as, for example, spending the two nights in different places so having to plan a journey) - always start with the smaller zoo! Then the big zoo can can take as long as it likes. And if the two end up taking less time than expected, it's usually much easier to while away any left over time in a productive and enjoyable manner at a bigger zoo.

The master of double-ups has spoken...

I probably won't attempt them on the same day but if I do then Living Coasts will definitely be first this time. Being based in Torquay will certainly help with that!
I'm determined to squeeze the two into the the 4 and a half days we have down there but I really want to go to Shaldon as well, it's been too long since I last visited!

 

[Brum]

Agile Gibbon, Javan Rhino, Zoogiraffe and I did Living Coasts, Shaldon and Paignton in a day in August. It was by car though.

Shaldon is really tiny, an hour should be plenty.

First time I did Shaldon it was a train to Teignmouth and then the ferry across the river.

Cheers Rob, any help on West Country public transport links? I know that you're a slave to the system like myself...

 

[Brum]

Well I've been to Living Coasts and all I can say is "Wow!"
As a mammal enthusiast I was quite dubious about paying so much to go into an aviary with a small aquarium section downstairs but decided to do the "Zooper Ticket" (A very reasonable £67.50 for a family of four) to cover both LC and Paignton Zoo.
Upon entering I was impressed with the statue and images of the great auk and the underwater view of what I assume to be Auk Cliffs, I only assume because no birds entered the water unfortunately! After that the visit got better and better, the free-flight area was fantastic and I never knew that I could fall in love with Inca terns quite as much as I did. Penguin Beach looked great and whilst we were there the keeping staff were checking for eggs. I actually saw European otters basking in the sun and lying in their tunnel, not in a nocturnal den. The fur seal pool doesn't look too small with only 2 seals but I felt there was very little land area and one seal repeatedly swam the same route whilst we were watching. The Waders and Sea Ducks estuary looked good as well, with ducklings amongst the adult birds. Highlight was definitely the underwater views of the seals and macaroni penguins, playing with the seal through the glass is a very novel tactic and it kept us amused for a good 15 minutes.
The mangrove area is well done as is the small aquarium section but neither has the impact of the open air aviary above it. In its favour it did have a lot of activities and hands on elememts for children which went down well with ours, the interactive great white was met with delight and fear in equal measurements!
We spent about 2 hours there and I felt it was well worth the money, a completely unique concept in the UK with spectacuar views of Torbay, a rarity filled collection and loads for the kids as well... But no playgrounds!

One last thing, how awesome are puffins?