Welcome Spring!
Spring is here, and Butterwell Farm is bursting back to life. The grounds are waking up after winter, with buds appearing on trees and fresh green shoots pushing through the soil. Our daffodils are standing tall, their bright yellow heads bringing a splash of colour and cheer to the land and gardens. The hens are laying in earnest, a true sign that the season is changing.
If you’re looking for a peaceful Cornish escape this spring, we still have some availability in March. Take advantage of our special offer — use code March10 for an extra 10% off your stay and enjoy the tranquillity of springtime at Butterwell Farm.
Signs of Spring and Nature Notes
We spend much of our time outdoors, whether working the land or exploring with the children. This season brings plenty of discoveries! The kids were thrilled to find frogspawn in our wetlands and woodland ponds. We’ve been checking in regularly to watch as the tiny black specks develop into tadpoles — it’s always magical to see the transformation.
Another welcome sight (and sound) is the arrival of our Canadian geese. As they do every year, they have returned to Butterwell Farm, nesting in the top field near the wetlands. Watching their courtship rituals, the careful way they build their nests and protect their eggs is always a joy. Seeing them take off, land, and fly in formation—accompanied by their unmistakable honking—reminds us that spring is well and truly here.
As the snowdrops start to turn, in their place, we find wild garlic shoots beginning to emerge. By next month, the woodland will be carpeted with lush green wild garlic leaves, followed by a spectacular display of their flowers and bluebells in May—a breathtaking sight of white and blue across the woodland floor.
Nature Cam
We have recently re-installed our wildlife trail cam at Butterwell Farm. It had only been up for a few days and we had some wonderful footage and stills of a heron coming in to land, a badger and an OTTER slinking up the river! It’s exciting and magical to discover what’s been captured on camera every time we check the disc. We will always feature these snaps and videos on Instagram and Facebook @butterwellfarm
If you are interested to see what’s in your own garden, we can highly recommend this wildlife trail camera.
The Gardens Are Blooming
In the gardens, the camellias, hellebores, and primroses are all in full bloom, complementing the daffodils. The first tulip shoots have emerged in my pots—a poignant moment as I featured my pots of tulips in my first regular blog post, April’s News from Rachel. Seeing them come into flower next month will feel like a full-circle moment, especially as the guest who inspired me to start sharing our seasonal updates is booked in for a return visit. Check out her beautiful artwork and blog here: Melanie’s Pet Portraits.
Spring means it’s time for a good garden tidy-up. We’ve been busy with the annual pruning of the apple trees in the Kingfisher Cabin orchard, as well as the other properties. Meanwhile, Sam has been hard at work processing fallen trees, mostly ash. He is thrilled with the new bigger chainsaw he bought at the beginning of the year making the whole process a lot faster and more enjoyable. Sadly, ash dieback is affecting many trees across the UK, causing them to weaken and eventually die. While it’s unfortunate to lose them, we are making good use of the wood. Log piles are stacking up everywhere—plenty to keep the property log burners roaring for a few years!
Out and About
I recently had a lovely trip to Lostwithiel, where I stopped at the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery for coffee and cake before taking a scenic walk up to Restormel Castle, an English Heritage property. The walk up to the castle is only just over a mile through beautiful countryside owned by the Duchy Estate. The route crosses over the River Fowey, and passes beautiful properties where the royal family are rumoured to holiday! You can pick up a map and directions for the walk from the nursery itself. Lostwithiel’s independent shops are always a joy to browse, and I made sure to pop into my favourite, Alice in Scandiland.
On my trips out I have been on the lookout for special pieces for our little revamp project on Kingfisher Cabin. Sam designed and built Kingfisher Cabin just after we moved here nearly ten years ago. We are injecting some new life and character into this already cosy cabin. Think intense, warm, and inviting “cabin vibes” – we can’t wait to share the results!
We’ve been having some beautiful sunny days so far this March and we’ve started to enjoy beach days and coastal walks again venturing out to our closest beach, Polzeath and then slightly further South towards Padstow, Constantine Bay.
Dining Out
The home of Doc Martin and the famous Fisherman’s Friends shanty singers, Port Isaac is an idyllic little fishing port on the North Coast of Cornwall. It is tradition that when we complete our year-end accounts (no matter the outcome!) that we at celebrate the previous year at Butterwell Farm and what we have achieved. The Fish Kitchen offers a set menu of locally caught fish dishes in a small, intimate restaurant right on the sea front. A real treat and a tradition we look forward to every year.
Visit our bespoke restaurant guide for other eating out suggestions for your next visit to Cornwall.
Fishing: The Season Begins!
The sea-trout season officially opens on May 1st, and Sam is eagerly anticipating his first night-fishing session of the year. Fly fishing for sea-trout at night is a thrilling experience—the river takes on a different character in the dark, the air filled with the sound of flowing water and the occasional splash of a rising fish. It’s a test of skill and patience, but when you finally hook a sea-trout under the stars, there’s nothing quite like it.
If you want to discuss fishing at Butterwell Farm in more detail or if you have any questions do not hesitate to give Sam a call or text on 07766224258.
Review of the Month
We love hearing from our guests! This month’s highlight is from Liebe, who stayed in Kingfisher Cabin in February:
“Kingfisher Cabin is absolutely lovely, the pictures really don’t do it justice. We came for the quiet and immersive nature experience and we got it. We did day trips but also enjoyed the local walking areas. The availability of lamb and fresh eggs right from the farm was a treat…we enjoyed making roast lamb one evening and it was delicious. Next time we plan to stay longer!”
We are planning a photoshoot after our Kingfisher Cabin revamp so we’re hoping in future our images will do the cabin justice. Not just the interiors but its spectacular, secluded location over-looking the River Camel.
If you’ve enjoyed a stay at Butterwell Farm, we’d be so grateful if you could leave us a Google review. Your feedback helps us grow and ensures future guests can experience the magic of Butterwell Farm too.
Upcoming Availability and Offers
March Special! 10% off stays for the rest of March with code March10
Looking ahead to 2026? Our 2026 calendar will be launching soon, our subscribers will benefit from a 5% early bird discount—keep an eye out!
Get in Touch
If you’d like to book a stay or just catch up with what’s happening at Butterwell Farm, we’d love to hear from you. Follow us on social media for regular updates, or drop us an email—we’re always happy to chat.
Wishing you all a wonderful start to spring!
Warm wishes,
Rachel & Sam x
Butterwell Farm, Cornwall