A unique experience at Stratford Butterfly Farm

The Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm provides groups with a unique educational experience. Set in a large greenhouse, landscaped with waterfalls, ponds and tropical plants, the Farm is the perfect setting to inform, enchant and astound visitors of all ages.

The UK’s largest tropical butterfly paradise opened in 1985 and will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2010 making it an exciting year for groups to visit.

Hundreds of exotic butterflies from all over the world fly within the greenhouse. Visitors can walk around, observing their behaviour and life-cycles first hand. The Farm enables visitors to see live insects behaving as naturally as possible in their natural habitats and is the largest and most comprehensive attraction of its type in Europe.

Many of the species on display are bred at the Farm, giving visitors the opportunity to see caterpillars of all shapes and sizes. Exotic insects such as praying mantids, stick insects and giant millipedes can be seen in Insect City. Scorpions and spiders, including the world’s largest species, the Goliath Bird-eating Spider are on display in Arachnoland.

The Farm’s ’Jungle Explorers Club’ enables visitors to get up close with a number of insects. Talks and handling sessions take place during school holidays when visitors of all ages can hold and learn more about some of the Farm’s inhabitants.

Free guided tours, including talks and handling sessions for groups of 10 or more are offered. Pre-booking is essential. The Butterfly Farm also has an extensive gift shop selling a unique range of quality wildlife gifts and books, as well as drinks, confectionery and ice-creams.

The Farm is located just 5 minutes walk from the town centre, across the river from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Coaches may load and unload passengers outside the entrance. Coach parking is available in the coach park behind the Leisure Centre. A public car park outside the entrance is available for cars. On-site parking facilities are provided for disabled people only.

Rates for groups of 10 or more are £5.45 for adults, £4.95 for seniors/students and £4.00 for children and teachers. One teacher is admitted free of charge with groups of 20 children. A birthday party including a tour and use of the room is just £4.65.

The Stratford Butterfly Farm is open every day except Christmas Day. For more information, visit the official website at butterflyfarm.co.uk.