Butterfly tunnel
Step inside and you’ll find butterflies from South America, Africa, India, the Philippines and Australasia, flitting through colourful flowers and leafy greenery. It’s a peaceful, tropical space where the whole family can slow down and enjoy nature up close.
Our butterfly tunnel is not just beautiful – it’s full of fascinating things to learn.
You’ll see real pupae, carefully attached to sticks and placed in warm, steamy cabinets until they hatch. Once they’ve transformed into butterflies, we release them into the tunnel, where they can stretch their wings and start the next stage of their journey.
Look carefully under the leaves – you might spot tiny caterpillars or butterfly eggs! And be sure to watch your step… some butterflies like to rest on the ground.
Some butterflies are drawn to bright colours and even the salt on our skin. So don’t be surprised if one lands on your arm or shoulder! It’s a lovely moment – just be sure to check you’re not taking a butterfly home with you when you leave. They need to be in the butterfly tunnel to stay healthy and happy.
Our butterfly tunnel isn’t just a beautiful, immersive environment, it’s also a place to learn about these fascinating insects and how to identify different species. Not only do we have a hatchery where you can watch butterflies emerge from pupae, we’ve also provided an identification board to help you and your little ones identify the different species you can see.
The environment is also set up to house the preferred plant species in each butterfly’s natural environment so they stay healthy and happy. Notice which butterflies like to eat the fruit we’ve set out and which prefer nectar from flowers. Everything you see provides more information on how each species lives and thrives in the wild.
The tunnel stays hot and humid to keep our butterflies and plants happy. Misters come on throughout the day to keep the air moist – just like a real rainforest! If it gets a bit too warm, feel free to step outside for a break and cool down.
We’re often asked why our butterfly tunnel is only open during warmer months. The answer is simple: our butterflies are from tropical parts of the world, and they need heat, humidity and sunlight to stay healthy – things we don’t have enough of in the colder months.
By opening from mid-May to October, we give the butterflies, and the tropical plants they love, the best conditions to thrive. During this time, you’ll see the tunnel at its absolute best – full of colour, movement and life.
Feeling inspired? Every July, the charity Butterfly Conservation runs the Big Butterfly Count – a fun way to spot butterflies in your garden, local park or on a countryside walk. It’s easy to take part and helps scientists track how butterfly numbers are changing across the UK.
If you’d like to get involved, visit:
While you’re here, make time to visit our Children’s Barn. It’s a lovely, hands-on space where kids can meet and gently stroke our friendly farm animals. A perfect way to relax after your butterfly adventure.
Whether you’re here for a peaceful wander or a family day out, we hope our butterfly tunnel brings a bit of wonder, warmth and a flutter of excitement to your visit!