Stratford upon Avon's Butterfly Farm FEATURE

Nestled in a quiet spot of Stratford-Upon-Avon, just a five minute walk from the town centre is the UK's largest tropical butterfly farm which boasts over 1500 free-flying butterflies at any given time. Drawn in by these intriguing creatures, BritEvent's Lucy Middleton visited the Butterfly Farm.

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By Lucy Middleton, BritEvents.com

You honestly won't believe the size, beauty and diversity of these amazing creatures until you have visited Stratford's Butterfly Farm, and my visit has left me enamoured with these real-life fairies. The Butterfly Farm is a fabulous place for adults and kids alike and throughout the year children of all ages can enjoy activities such as story time, face painting and glitter tattoos, a jungle explorers trail and "Meet the Mini-beasts" where the creepy crawlies of the dark come out to play.

As you head towards the entrance, you will walk amongst stunning flowerbeds which are rife with British wildflowers in the summer which naturally attract our dainty native butterfly species; distant cousins to the tropical gems that can be found inside.

Entering the flight area feels like entering a different world; the large greenhouse has been skilfully landscaped drawing in plants and trees from all over the world to cater for the hundreds of species of butterflies. With over 250 species of these beautiful creatures originating from 20 different countries, every where you look you spot a new butterfly just as fascinating as the next.

They're not just a flash of bright colours too fast to see either, they seem so used to human company that you can get close to them and witness their captivating looks and way of moving that makes them seem almost magical. There are various feeding tables scattered throughout the area which have ripe fruit for the butterflies to feed from which is special to see from the benches nearby.

Walking from the flight area into the caterpillar room, you will get acquainted with some of the world's largest caterpillars and a few of the best camouflaged species, if you can spot them that is! In the room there are interesting displays which showcase the life cycle of butterflies and moths, including one dedicated to caterpillars hatching out of their pupae. As there are so many little cocoons ready to reveal the brand new butterflies, you will be able to watch many break out for the first time, starting out their new lives as butterflies.

Upon leaving the caterpillar room, you are once again in the flight area with a pretty pond and waterfall in sight. Some of the largest koi carp in the UK can be found in the pond, a couple of which have been there since the Butterfly Farm first opened 26 years ago! The farm also has sections dedicated to creepy crawlies which certainly aren't as pretty as the butterflies, but nevertheless, they are still fascinating little things. From ants, to 15 types of spiders and scorpions plus reptiles, these exhibitions offer a wonderful contrast.

Whatever the weather outside, you can guarantee it will be as though you're in the tropics in the greenhouse which makes it perfect for rainy days as well as when the sun is shining. Open throughout the year, the Stratford-Upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is a fantastic place to go if you find yourself in the area. Modestly priced, it is great value for money and provides hours of entertainment for visitors of all ages.

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