A UNIQUE NEW DESTINATION FOR CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND DISCOVERY
Set amidst our 38 acres of carefully rewilded Buckinghamshire countryside, we’re proud to unveil an exciting and original new feature for summer 2025: The Horwood House Butterfly Resort.
This one-of-a-kind installation is not only a celebration of the UK’s native butterflies – it is a call to action.
Inspired by our role as custodians of the countryside, the Butterfly Resort invites guests to learn about these delicate pollinators and discover simple ways to protect them.
Why Butterflies Matter
British butterflies are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to Butterfly Conservation, 2024 was the fifth worst year for butterfly numbers since records began in 1976, with more than half of butterfly species in long-term decline. Their loss tells a much wider story – butterflies are essential to healthy ecosystems, and their presence reflects the wellbeing of the natural world around us.
To help what Butterfly Conservation has declared a “butterfly emergency”, guests and visitors are encouraged to count the butterflies they see at the resort over a duration of 15 minutes, during the Big Butterfly Count 2025 – from 18th July to 10th August. They can log their findings on the charity’s website or via the app.
Through the installation of the resort, which features a ‘village’ of butterfly houses alongside a miniature park, pond and even football pitch, our aim is to spark curiosity and nurture understanding, while also encouraging stewardship – all within the beautiful, relaxed setting of Horwood House.
A Playful, Purposeful Installation
The Butterfly Resort is made up of 20 individual butterfly houses, which have undergone a makeover with bright paints by pupils of a trio of local schools: Winchester House School, Stowe School and Swanbourne School. These miniature havens offer shelter and their location is in an area of the estate that currently supports up to 8 different butterfly species.
Each day, our ‘Butterfly Butler’ visits the installation, replenishing fruit trays to ensure butterflies have a consistent food source.
A Living Learning Experience
The Butterfly Resort has been thoughtfully created to engage and inform, inviting visitors to take a quiet moment to observe and discover more about these remarkable pollinators.
Interpretive signage placed around the installation shares insights into:
🦋 The environmental pressures affecting butterfly populations
🦋 The importance of butterflies within our ecosystems
🦋 The most threatened species in the UK today
🦋 Simple ways we can all support butterflies in our own gardens
Whether you’re strolling through our gardens or simply pausing by the hotel installation, the experience is designed to be as enlightening as it is enjoyable.
Supporting Butterflies at Home
Whether you have a country garden or a city balcony, there are countless ways to support butterflies in your own outdoor space. Simple steps include:
🦋 Planting nectar-rich blooms such as verbena, lavender and buddleia
🦋 Providing host plants like wild violets and nettles for caterpillars
🦋 Avoiding the use of chemical pesticides
🦋 Allowing parts of your garden to grow wild
🦋 Installing a butterfly house or log pile for shelter
You’ll also find plenty of practical guidance at Butterfly Conservation, where you can download a free butterfly gardening guide.
A Stay Inspired by Nature
To highlight the urgency of the cause, we’re providing butterfly-themed colouring books and activity packs for children to complete when staying and have also added an inspired drink to the cocktail menu, The Butterfly Collins cocktail.
It’s another way we’re weaving sustainability into every corner of the Horwood House experience – inviting our guests to connect with the landscape around them in meaningful, lasting ways.
Visit the Butterfly Resort
The Butterfly Resort is now open and available to explore daily throughout the summer. Whether you’re joining us for a short break, afternoon tea or a wedding celebration, we invite you to take a moment to visit this very special corner of the estate.
