Stratford on Avon Butterfly Farm ... anyone been?

[TwoToTango]

Was thinking of going tomorrow. Has anyone been? what did you think of it, was it good value for money?

It's very small and when we were there there were quite a few dead butterflies strewn over the place. Better spend your money on a trip to SeaLife in Birmingham. That really is value for money compared to this place. Boys enjoyed it but have to be honest, not great variety of Butterflies. And if you don't like spiders don't go in the insect house.

We thought it was pretty good value. It's £4.95 for adults, £3.95 for children, but once you've paid you can come and go all day if you want to. It's not huge but there's plenty of varieties of butterflies, plus they have a caterpillar and cocoon room - there are plenty of caterpillars but you need to really look for them. There's also a small reptile house, as well as several iguanas which roam around loose inside the butterfly house - look out for them on rocks and high up on fences and gates. There's a family of oriental quails as well.

Under-3s are free but it might be difficult (not impossible though) to push a buggy around as the paths are rough and narrow, and there are a number of steps.

Mmm, disagree about the sea-life centre - the Birmingham one is very expensive (cost £20 just for me and dd) and we spent 20 minutes tops in there because it just didn't hold dd's interest. Depends on your kids though.

we love the butterfly farm - cheated last time - stuck my 3yr old in the buggy and held the baby and only paid for me and dh!

we do tie it in with the playground - opposite the farm and cross over the river to feed the ducks, see the street entertainment by the canal boats etc

great day out but very very busy - get there early if you want a decent car parking space. If you get there around 11am - head straight into the cricket club and park on the grass behind the pitch.

Thanks for all those - especially about the spiders Alibaldi - I can't stand them! Think I might give it a miss until a nice sunny day so I can combine it with a visit to the park and a picnic.
We have been to the Sea Life Centre - ds wasn't too impressed but he was only 3 at the time. I do think it is quite expensive but I have got a couple of the woolworths tickets which makes it cheaper. Its closer than Stratford as well.

butterfly is good AND if sunny day, the park next to it is fab - huge sand pit

guess with everything, it depends on your kids

We were there in February so guessing it's all so much better now in the Summer for the butterflies too. I do love Stratford however and the boys did too. Sea Life is expensive but my two then aged 4 and 2 1/2 adore fish etc so for them was captivating. But you're right depends on the kids. Have you been to Hatton Farm Park near Warwick - also expensive but well worth a day out in the weather's good - loads of animals to see, tractor ride etc etc.

was in stratford last week, was so nice but didnt see any butterflies

You missed something there then How about swans on the river - they love fingers

you been bit by any chance?

yep, by more than one thing But yes was attacked by a Swan when very little, luckily grandpa had umbrella and he had to bash it several times before it stopped dragging me towards the river