On a beautiful August evening, several members of the Classic team headed to Woodland Valley Farm in Ladock to embark on a fascinating guided walk to see one of Cornwall’s newest residents. And as Reserve Guardians for Upton Towans Nature Reserve this year, we were excited to see what else the trust is up to.
Beavers were introduced to this peaceful 5-acre haven back in 2017 as part of the Cornwall Beaver Project and have since turned this sheltered valley into a magical wetland. Within their first 48 hours, this industrious pair had already begun work on their first dam, and by 2026, the results speak for themselves… But more on this later.
For now, let us walk you through our amazing experience joining one of Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s incredible Beaver Walks.
The talk
We gathered at the farm in the early evening, eagerly awaiting the chance to see our first beaver, yet aware that sightings of these curious yet cautious critters are never certain. Before we headed down to the wetland area, we joined Rowan and James from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust for a talk about this fascinating mammal. We assembled in a barn around a taxidermy beaver - our first, albeit not quite, sighting!
They talked us through the evolution of these industrious engineers, which included some incredible facts we couldn’t wait to relay to the team (don’t worry, no spoilers here). They then shared how beavers were reintroduced to the UK, from the legislation that surrounds them to the newly coined term ‘beaver bombing’: the act of illegally releasing beavers into wetland habitats. They ended the talk with some staggering facts about the positive impact the beavers have had on the local ecosystem, including a massive increase in bird species, trout populations, insect species, and other mammals.
By the end of the talk, our jaws were on the floor, and our eyes were enthusiastically wandering to the path that led down to the wetland. And before we knew it, we were on our way to hopefully see some beavers.
The walk
During the walk down, we were lucky enough to see a barn owl swooping overhead, a phenomenal moment that quickly highlighted the effects the beavers have had on the local biodiversity. As we approached the wetlands, we noticed a marked decrease in temperature. The air beneath the canopy was significantly cooler, creating a wonderfully refreshing reprieve from the summer’s heat.
The first stop was a quick detour to the beavers’ first dam. It was fascinating to hear about their architectural efforts and how they build what they need. Contrary to our initial understanding, beavers don’t build dams for the sake of it; they create purposeful structures that help them craft a wetland area in which they feel safe. Cartoons have definitely given us a false idea of their penchant for building dams wherever and whenever.
Next, it was on to the winding boardwalk, which took us past plenty of interesting information displays where we could pause and delve deeper into the science of it all. Finally, we emerged into the main wetland area, an oasis of calm and tranquillity made by the beavers themselves. There was a path around the outskirts of the water, with lots of places to pause, and we were encouraged to find a spot and wait patiently for dusk to fall.
The beavers
With careful footsteps and hushed voices, we traced the edges of the bank until a small bridge provided the perfect vantage point of the central lodge. Here, we waited as the light began to fade. After around 20 minutes of quiet contemplation and alert ears and eyes, we spotted them! Not 30 yards away, a beaver swam through the water around its lodge. Hearts stopped, then swelled at the sight of this graceful animal gliding through the darkening depths. A pair of binoculars was passed around, and we could finally see this chubby critter up close as it scrambled onto the banks.
We spent half an hour watching the beaver going about its business, gasping in joy as it swam before us and our eyes going wide as we heard another chomping on a tree in the distance. It was magical, an entirely enchanting experience that we will cherish forever. This keystone species is hugely important to our natural world and our future, and it was amazing to see all the hard work the Cornwall Wildlife Trust has been doing to make this project happen.
Book your own guided walk
Cornwall Wildlife Trust are hosting guided beaver walks throughout the year, offering a chance for everyone to see these fascinating (and seriously adorable) animals in their natural habitats. The walks only happen on select evenings, as beavers are nocturnal, and last around two hours. We recommend bringing a headtorch and layers for the walk back up, and definitely a pair of binoculars to make spotting these majestic mammals easier.
While a sighting isn’t guaranteed, learning about the UK’s newest wetland resident is absolutely worth it, as they are as fascinating as they are cute.
Ready to meet Cornwall’s newest critters? Explore our beautiful holiday cottages in Cornwall and prepare for your next fascinating visit.
