If you're looking for a holiday where you can get back to nature - then Higher Hopworthy Farm is a good place to start. Whether it's spotting wildlife on the farm or going on a sealife safari, there is an abundance of flora and fauna to be found.
On The Farm
A quiet evening or early morning stroll is often the best way to see some of our more timid local inhabitants. You may well see the local barn owl hunting across the fields and Roe deer are commonly sighted too. If you are particularly lucky you might see a hare; once a rare sight on the farm - hare numbers are increasing in the area and are spotted much more regularly. In the last few years we have had at least one pair of Ravens nesting on the farm and you will see (or hear) these most days - they are getting quite tame now and have been found sitting on the gates in the yard! Kestrels and Sparrowhawks are often seen hunting in the surrounding fields and Buzzards are almost as common as pigeons! Around silage time, we will generally see visiting Red Kites too. Even at night time, you are never alone - the tawny owls provide a musical accompaniment to your star gazing sessions in the hot tub and the bats will be out too.
By The Water
Our private fishing lake is a lovely spot to sit an enjoy a relaxing afternoon and as well as all the dragonflies in the summer, there is a good chance you will see the Kingfishers that nest nearby. Moorhens, ducks, grey wagtails, herons and otters are also regular visitors. Sometimes we get some more unusual visitors - this winter I saw a Goosander and only a few days ago we had the rare sight of a Purple Heron fishing for his breakfast!
Further afield - Bude Canal and marshes are also a great place to explore - their moorhens are considerably tamer! You are pretty much guaranteed to see at least one heron, as well as kingfishers, water voles and occasionally even an otter.
On The Coast
A stroll along the SW coast path may give you the chance to spot seals, dolphins and maybe even the odd basking shark, but if you want to have a better chance then you need to get out on the water. If you are an experienced kayaker then this can be a great way to see some of our wonderful marine life (see the lone kayaker for inspiration!) or there are several companies offering sea safaris.
A trip to Lundy Island also ought to be on your list - especially for avid bird watchers, home to 10 different breeding colonies of seabirds including Puffins, Guillemots and Manx Shearwaters - plus a large number of farmland birds and seasonal migrating visitors.
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