Manuel is the great character of The Tortoise Hotel. Rehomed after outgrowing life with another male tortoise, he quickly found his place here and has never looked back.

Active, mischievous and always alert, Manuel treats the garden as his patrol zone. If a gate opens, he is first there. If you run, he follows. If you start work, Manuel appears to supervise. If there is a hole, he is already in it.

Whether officially appointed or self-elected, Manuel is unquestionably Head of Security.

Daisy is a much-loved rescue tortoise who was left on the doorstep in a washing-up bowl, with promises that someone would return. Sadly, nobody ever did.

When Daisy arrived, she slowly learned she was safe, cared for and no longer needed to be afraid. With patience and support, her confidence blossomed and she quickly embraced life.

After a careful quarantine period, Daisy formed a close bond with Tess and the two have been inseparable ever since. Her lumpy shell reflects the past, but her spirit shows resilience.

Tess is the largest female tortoise at The Tortoise Hotel and carries herself with quiet confidence. Calm, steady and impossible to ignore, she naturally commands attention.

With years of experience and a no-nonsense approach, Tess is widely regarded as running the entire establishment. She values order, routine and sensible behaviour, with little patience for unnecessary drama.

After Daisy completed quarantine, Tess welcomed her into the team and the two quickly formed a close bond. Manuel may occasionally challenge Tess’s leadership, but nobody takes it seriously.

Costa’s story is one of rescue, recovery and a second chance. He arrived after being kept in a tiny vivarium with constant heat, nowhere to hide, unsuitable bark substrate and dried food with no water. By the time he came to us, Costa was desperately unwell, tired and grey. During recovery, he would rest beside a warm Costa coffee cup, which earned him his name. With patient care, warmth and proper husbandry, Costa made a remarkable recovery and is now cheeky, energetic and full of life.

Basil’s story is one of the most special in Tortoise Hotel history. He was a rescue tortoise discovered after the sad passing of an elderly lady who had quietly kept him as a companion for many years.

When Basil arrived, he was withdrawn and barely ate for almost three months. During an educational visit, a young girl sat quietly beside him on the grass. Basil slowly climbed onto her lap and began to eat.

Basil later thrived and still returns to visit, mainly to check standards remain high.

Olivia’s story is one of tiny beginnings, steady growth and a bright future. Hatched during our breeding programme, she was so small and special that we simply could not part with her.

From the beginning, Olivia showed quiet determination and character far beyond her size. With careful support, warmth and the right environment, she has grown into a strong, confident and beautiful young tortoise.

Full of promise and personality, Olivia represents everything The Tortoise Hotel believes in: patience, care and giving tortoises the chance to thrive.

Full of personality and energy, Costa reminds us how the right care can transform a tortoise’s life.