Things to see on the estate at Trelissick

Roundwood and Tregew

Follow the north woodland walk over the timber bridge to Roundwood and Tregew, and travel back through thousands of years of Cornish history to the very impressive Iron Age promontory fort and eighteenth century quay.

The fort is the only one of its kind in Europe and its well-defined ditches and embankments are still clearly visible.

Things to do with your family on the estate

During the spring and summer months, it is always a stunning time of year to get outside. Take in the surroundings of the nature and wildlife of an ever evolving land and seascape and the scenic estuary views across the River Fal.

As summer turns to autumn see the leaves change colour and the ground getting covered, which allows all the light in through the trees. Keep an eye out for birds and other wildflife as you walk through the woodlands and parklands. How many have you seen? Which ones did you see? Autumn is a great time for nature watching and to be reinspired by the natural world.

Make sure to spend some time on the beach, where you can try skimming stones and bravely have a paddle in the water.

Then finish off with a refreshing drink or ice cream at the café, or visit the gift shop and plant centre for a special memento of your day.

Summer nature at Trelissick

Wildlife is abundant across the Trelissick estate. With such a wide variety there are some special insects, animals and birds to look out for during your visit.

Tregew

Tregew, like the rest of the farmed estate, is managed specifically for its wildlife. It is a haven for once common, but now rare species such as harvest mice, skylarks, barn owls and a huge number of grassland insects. These paths and fields overlook Cowlands Creek, traditionally associated with oyster fisherman and the lovely Kea plum orchards.

Butterflies

The sustained sunshine of summer is kind to butterflies. Keep your eyes peeled for ringlets, meadow browns, whites and commas whilst walking through the Parkland or the diverse grassland habitats at Tregew.

Six spotted burnet moth

Another wonderful creature to spot is the day-flying six spotted burnet moth. You could be forgiven for mistaking this vermillion and iridescent black beauty for a butterfly but that would be doing moths a disservice for they are not all drab and nocturnal.

Indeed, many would be surprised to learn that there is actually very little difference between a butterfly and a moth – it all boils down to the fact that butterflies have a club end to their antennae and moths don’t.

Bastard balm

Ever the conversation starter, we have the wonderfully named bastard balm (melittis melissophylum). Bastard balm is an eye-catching woodland plant that is a rare British native, only occurring in a few isolated sites limited to the south-west (mainly Devon and Cornwall).

How this plant got its common name is unclear but as an herb it is rumoured to be an effective treatment for kidney problems and anxiety. The plant itself boasts buoyant, almost orchid-like, ivory white flowers that look like they are sticking out little pink tongues.

This ‘tongue’ acts as a landing guide for bees who love to drink deeply from the nectar hidden within each flower. Unlike the strong, almost minty, aroma of other balms, the foliage has a light and sweet smell, not dissimilar to that of woodruff. Each plant can grow as large as eighteen inches tall and mature, year upon year, growing in size and substance.

Mackerel

The Fal is a breeding ground for a large number of fish species including many that are commercially important such as bass and mackerel. This fact can tempt many a sea bird to venture further up the river, taking leave from their usual haunts to feast on fresh fish.

Dor beetle

The famous dor, or ‘dung’ beetle as it is commonly known, can often be found lumbering around areas of open ground or amongst the heather that is busy re-establishing itself down at Roundwood.

This robust critter spends a good deal of its time underground, digging shafts in which to stash the dung it has found. The beetles then lay their eggs in the dung so the larvae are both well protected and have an instant food supply.

Did you know that their heavily armoured exterior is often strikingly metallic on the underside and legs? As well as being wonderful characters in their own right, dor beetles are also extremely useful; clearing up nasty waste products and helping to recycle nutrients by turning them into fertile soil.

Dragonflies

Take a walk out into the countryside at Trelissick and there is a fair chance you will be rewarded with the spectacular sight and sound of a dragonfly or a damselfly.

Superficially, it’s easy to confuse your zygoptera with your odonata; both have lacy, delicate wings, an elongated abdomen and orbicular eyes, but look closer and a few key characteristics will mean you need never suffer this ignorance again.

Dragonflies are large, sturdy and, because they are powerful fliers, can often be seen a fair distance from water. Their hindwings are more than likely shorter and wider than the forewings and both sets are held open when the insect is at rest. Lastly, those famously ample eyes are very close together and often touch.

Damselflies are smaller in stature and far more slender. They are weak fliers and can usually only be seen near water. All four wings on a damselfly are roughly the same size and are held closed along the length of the body at rest (with the exception of an emerald damselfly). The eyes of a damselfly are situated on the sides of its head and never touch.