Tregenna Castle Resort blog
Our Clever Cornish Black Bees Can Count to Four!
What’s the Buzz at Tregenna?
A Bit of Bee-Brained Brilliance
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.
It's Science
Researchers found that when bees were shown different numbers of dots or shapes, they could consistently choose the correct number they were trained to associate with a treat. Even when the size, colour, and arrangement of the shapes changed, the bees still got it right — as long as the number stayed the same.
It turns out bees, like toddlers, can subitise — a fancy word for instantly recognising small numbers without needing to count one-by-one. Their limit? Four. Which, quite sweetly, happens to match the number of hives here at Tregenna Castle!
Meet the Cornish Black Bee
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.
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Subtropical Gardens
With our mild climate year-round, Tregenna boasts acres of subtropical gardens, a 9-hole golf course, and some of St Ives' best leisure facilities to boot. Our 72-acre playground is all yours to enjoy for the duration of your stay. So whether you fancy grabbing your wellies for an adventure through our woodland or playing a game on our tennis courts, we've got you covered.
Food & Drink
Cornwall is a foodie’s paradise. And let’s face it, when the weather gets colder, there’s nothing more wonderful than tucking into some delicious fish and chips, a piping hot pasty, or a hot chocolate with all the trimmings. Book your table at Godrevy View Restaurant at Tregenna and sample some delicious winter warmers or sample a cocktail or two at Olives Bar.
Where to next?
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