Cofton Holidays announces progressive rewilding project

Award-winning Cofton Holidays, specialists in delivering unforgettable eco-friendly holidays to Devon, have today announced their rewilding project due for completion in 2020. The innovative program, which started earlier this year, is a progressive approach to conversation and focuses on restoring the parks’ land to its natural, uncultivated state.

The plan developed by the local, family run business, will enable natural processes to shape the land and to create a heightened biodiverse habitat. The rewilding will improve wildlife connectivity across the site and will increase special and structural diversity through vegetation, allowing the wildlife that inhabit the land to get back deeper into their natural rhythms.

Tactics include the planting of additional hedges, shrubs and trees to strengthen the wildlife corridors, as well as the planting of perennial flora to attract more insects and pollinators. This in turn will provide enhanced nesting environments and food for a variety of birds and bats. Shrubs will be carefully maintained, and seed heads will be left on plants to ensure fruits and berries are available throughout the winter. 

All plants will be delicately selected to ensure they have a strong wildlife value and are beneficial to the insects, butterflies, bees and small mammals that inhabit the park. Grass areas will all be diversified using bulbs, plug planting and long season wildflower seeds. The grass will be transformed into a tussocky grassland and only cut biennially.

The project follows the recent opening of Cofton Holiday’s Bug and Bee Hotel, which provides a safe dwelling for nesting and hibernation. The blossoming flowerbeds and butterfly gardens already found around the park, allow local wildlife to thrive. 

Chris Jeffery, Director at Cofton Holidays said: “We have always been environmentally friendly, and our vision is to continue to make our park a haven for both the wildlife and visitors to enjoy. We are excited to see the changes we have implemented take place and look forward to welcoming new species to our park.”

With over 80 acres of exclusive parkland located amongst five stunning lakes, Cofton Holidays offers a variety of year-round accommodation options including lodges with hot tubs, static caravans, and a campsite. Facilities at the park include four dining options, a heated indoor pool, a fully equipped gym, sauna and steam rooms, a games room, an entertainment program, an amusement arcade, and outdoor and indoor play areas.