The grounds here at Greetham Retreat have been designed with conservation in mind, its our own private countrypark, and include areas of woodland, wildflower meadows and wildlife ponds, all of which attract a variety of birds and other fauna. There are carefully maintained mown walkways, and lots of seating areas for guests to rest and take in the outstanding panoramic views..

We have erected bird, bat boxes and a bug hotel, planted a wildflower meadow, and created a large wildlife pond with the intention of encouraging a range of wildlife. We have been thrilled to see kestrel fledglings, in our nesting boxes. Last year we have several moorhen chicks, some ducklings and five baby Greylag goslings on our wildlife ponds. It’s just fantastic sitting quietly watching the adults teaching them the skills they need to learn to survive.

Beautiful white barn owls can sometimes be seen hunting over the wildflower meadow, especially at dawn and dusk. Swallows, that have migrated back to Britain from Africa during the spring, can be seen swooping over the grounds, throughout the summer months and both green and greater spotted woodpeckers can often be seen or heard. Rabbits and hares are an especially common sight in the area and the very lucky might also spot a roe or muntjac deer.

The wildflower meadow is in its prime during the early summer months and the flowers and long grasses attract various species of butterflies and birds, including beautiful goldfinches.  During the hot summer days the wildlife pond is a haven for shimmering damsel and dragon flies and in the evenings it is common to see bats circling overhead.  At night you will hear the iconic “twit-twoo” call of the tawny owl.