At Silverbow Country Park, we’ve always known we are lucky to be surrounded by nature, but a recent visit from the Butterfly Conservation Cornwall Branch, confirmed just how special our patch of Cornwall really is.

Last week we hosted a butterfly and bee survey across the park, focusing on our wildflower meadows and surrounding hedgerows. The findings? Over 300 butterflies, across 14 different species in just one visit!

The wildflower meadow came alive with fluttering wings, Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Peacocks, Gatekeepers, Large and Small Skippers, Holly Blues, Ringlets and more. It was a sigh to behold, and proof that our efforts to manage the landscape with nature in mind are paying off. 

But it wasn’t just butterflies. The park is also a home to a rich mix of:

• Bumblebees – including Red-tailed, White-tailed, Buff-tailed, Common Carder, and likely the Brown-banded Carder.
• Dragonflies – like the Emperor, Broad-bodied Chaser, Golden-ringed, and the delicate beautiful Demoiselle. 
• Moths – including striking Burnetts and Cinnabars.
• And even damselflies dancing over the water.

We owe a special thank you to Callum, our nature loving team member, whose knowledge and enthusiasm help us to care for this diverse environment. The experts noted how valuable our varied habitats are, especially the managed bramble zones, standing deadwood and food sources for pollinators.

A meadow with a plan  

To encourage even more wildlife, we are now looking at managing our meadows on a rotational cutting cycle, likely every 3 years, and introducing Yellow Rattle to help reduce grass dominance and give more space for native wildflowers to thrive. With low nutrient soil and seasonal care, we hope to see even greater diversity in the years ahead.

Why it Matters

Nature isn’t just a pretty backdrop, it’s part of the experience of staying at Silverbow. Our guests often mention the birdsong, the bees, the butterflies…the quiet moments watching dragonflies skim the pond or counting butterflies in the meadow.

If you are looking for a peaceful holiday home in Cornwall, where nature thrives and life slows down, Silverbow might be the perfect place to call your own.

Interested in joining our community?

Explore our holiday homes and lodges for sale at Silverbow Country Park.