Our Clever Cornish Black Bees Can Count to Four!

Nestled within Tregenna Castle’s beautiful estate, a quiet hum of activity is always underway — and not just from our guests. We’re home to four thriving beehives, each buzzing with life, thanks to our remarkable residents: the Cornish Black Bee.

These native bees aren’t just vital pollinators for the flowers, fruit trees, and gardens across our grounds — they’re also surprisingly brainy. In fact, scientists have discovered that bees, including our own busy bunch, can count up to four!

Yes — really. And no, we didn’t teach them ourselves (though we wouldn’t put it past our team of gardeners and groundskeepers!). This discovery comes straight from scientists who’ve been studying just how extraordinary these tiny creatures are.

Our hives house the Cornish Black Bee (a subspecies of the native European Dark Bee), a hardy, gentle, and rather special breed perfectly suited to our local climate. They’ve been a part of Cornwall’s natural heritage for centuries, and we’re proud to give them a safe, flourishing home.

You’ll see (and hear) their work as you wander through the estate — pollinating flowers, supporting biodiversity, and helping our gardens burst into bloom.