AN ABANDONED zoo has erected a seven-foot steel privacy fence, keeping out intruders and hiding the crumbling remains of the once-thriving attraction.
Living Coasts, once the pride of the coastal town, was a popular destination for families eager to see seals, penguins, and a diverse array of marine life.
Year after year, it charmed visitors with its unique exhibits.
But since its closure in 2020, the bustling attraction has fallen into disrepair, now firmly off-limits behind the towering steel fence that guards its secrets.
Before the pandemic forced its closure, the zoo offered a unique experience that captured the hearts of both locals and tourists.
However, it could not survive the lockdown, and in 2020, the site was shuttered.
Though the animals were safely relocated, the zoo itself was left to decay.
By 2022, the abandoned site had become a magnet for intruders.
Security reports described groups gathering in the old children’s soft play area, downing cans, and littering the grounds.
This led to the erection of the imposing privacy fence, and since then, the site has remained largely undisturbed.
Recently, DevonLive was granted access to the site by the long-term leaseholders, Wild Planet Trust.
Inside, the scene is one of neglect and decay. Despite the deterioration, much of the zoo’s structure remains eerily intact.
The old wooden ticket booths still stand at the entrance, and signs pointing visitors toward exhibits like ‘Muddy Estuaries’ linger as faded memories on the walls.
Wandering through the dark, empty chambers reveals the attraction’s deserted heart.
The winding corridors lead to empty exhibits that once teemed with life.
The visitor center, which was once filled with the hum of excited guests, now stands stripped of its former vibrancy.
Yet, remnants of its past glory remain, including the magnificent mid-19th-century stone arches that supported the original Torquay Marine Spa.
These ancient blocks lend an eerie atmosphere to the underground depths, where former staff whisper of ghostly happenings .
They shared stories of items mysteriously going missing, adding an extra layer of mystery to the building’s decline.
Living Coasts was once divided into themed zones like Mangroves, Discovery, and Under the Pier, each offering a glimpse into the diverse marine world.
Now, these areas lie barren, their reinforced glass walls — through which visitors once marvelled at the underwater wonders — are stained and weather-beaten.
The exhibits have long been empty, but the glass still stands firm, a silent sentinel to the creatures that once called this place home.
Penguins, fur seals, Australian big-bellied seahorses, and countless other marine creatures once swam, scuttled, and floated here.
At its peak, the zoo welcomed around 100,000 visitors a year, injecting life into this corner of Torquay.
Opened: 2003
Living Coasts opened its doors as a state-of-the-art coastal zoo and aquarium, offering visitors an immersive experience with marine life.
Unique Design:
It featured a 19-meter-high free-flying aviary and underwater viewing areas, showcasing animals like fur seals, penguins, rays, and octopuses in specially designed habitats. The site won multiple awards for its innovative design.
Marine Life:
Home to a diverse range of species, including macaroni penguins, Australian big-bellied seahorses, and African penguins, it attracted around 100,000 visitors annually.
Closure:
In 2020, the zoo closed permanently due to financial strain exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. All animals were safely relocated to other facilities.
Post-Closure:
After its closure, the site quickly fell into disrepair. By 2022, it became a hotspot for intruders, leading to the installation of a 7ft privacy fence to keep trespassers out.
Current Status:
The site remains abandoned, with efforts underway by leaseholders Wild Planet Trust to find a suitable developer for its future.
Since its closure, the area has seen a steep decline in footfall, with local traders feeling the absence of this once-thriving attraction.
Some have suggested reopening the site’s restaurant as a temporary source of revenue.
Remarkably, the food counters remain intact and could, in theory, start serving again with minimal effort.
The restaurant still offers stunning views across Tor Bay, and with some cleaning, it could welcome diners once more.
However, reopening part of this ghostly shell while the rest remains abandoned seems a far-fetched dream.
Stepping back outside, it feels like stepping onto the deck of a shipwrecked galleon.
The wooden walkways, though still in place, creak and sag underfoot, hinting at their gradual surrender to time.
The famous aviary netting, once a towering 19 meters high, remains in place, albeit worn and tattered.
This ground-breaking enclosure once housed a myriad of birds and mammals, winning design awards and leaving a lasting legacy.
Now, only the breeding holes in the artificial rocks serve as reminders of the vibrant life that once filled the air with sound.
Mother Nature has been busy reclaiming the abandoned zoo.
Plants push through the decking, and exotic flora, once carefully planted as part of the attraction, now flourishes unchecked.
The pathways are not yet overgrown, but give it a few more summers, and the outside will be a jungle if left untouched.
What will happen to Living Coasts remains a mystery for now.
However, some locals have discussed converting the space into an entertainment complex, an ice rink, an open-air theatre, a commercial event space, and even a zip-line park.
Yet, Wild Planet Trust insists that any future replacement for the zoo must be financially sustainable while having the full backing of the public.
Even though the site costs £50,000 a year to maintain, the plan is to find a long-term use for the site within 12 months.
Stephen Kings, executive chair of the trustees, told DevonLive: “It’s going to be a challenge there’s no question.
“There aren’t easy answers and we have to be realistic.
“We know there are interested parties and we know now that the two key people – ourselves and Torbay Council – are going to work together to see if we can sort out the problems.
“It has massive potential, it’s just finding the right combination of ways forward.”
Although the Chair added they would prefer not to keep hold of the lease, they are open to formulating an appropriate partnership.
