Founded by Mike and Audrey Reynolds, ‘Bird Paradise’ as it was then known, opened in 1973. A bird garden was Mike’s dream, to house his ever growing collection of tropical birds including many parrots. Before realising his dream, he had been a successful copywriter at Greys, an international advertising agency, being most remembered for his Milkybar Kid ad and coining the catchphrase ‘The Milkybars are on me’.

In 2023 we celebrated our 50th Birthday!

The Reynolds chose Glanmor House, which was built by the famous ‘Harveys of Hayle’, who made beam engines for Cornwall’s tin mines. The sheltered Victorian walled garden made it the ideal place to start a paradise for birds.

Mike and Audrey Reynolds with HRH Princess Alexandra on her visit to celebrate Paradise Park’s 30th year.

As time went on the perilous situation of many bird species became clear and conservation became a main focus, with the Park becoming a home for many endangered species. This concern for conservation culminated in the launch of the World Parrot Trust in 1989, which now has over 2,000 members in 22 countries throughout the world, making Paradise Park a world leader in parrot conservation. In 1987 Operation Chough was launched to help save this local species of crow.

Over the years Paradise Park has continued to develop and is now actively helping to conserve some threatened mammals including Otters, Red Pandas and the beautiful Red Squirrel.

Paradise Park has won many accolades for conservation work and as an excellent family day out, entertaining and gently educating visitors of all ages. The gardens provide an exotic backdrop for the wildlife, and are an attraction in their own right. The JungleBarn indoor play centre was added in 2005, and ensures families can have fun in all weathers.

Mike Reynolds with Hyacinth Macaw & Umbrella Cockatoo

Mike Reynolds with an Echo Parakeet in Mauritius

Sadly Mike Reynolds died in 2007, and Audrey in 2017. Their family continue their work, joined at the Park by a larger “extended family” of staff, including long-serving curator David Woolcock and retail manager Lynn Jones.