Useful Information

A visit to the Butterfly Farm is one to enjoy with family & friends.

To keep our butterflies happy and flying the temperature within the Flight Area is tropical and humid all year round with temperatures above 27 degrees.

On entering the Butterfly Farm, you accept that you have a duty of responsibility to ensure your own safety as well as taking into account any personal medical and health conditions, that may be affected by a tropical environment.

Dogs are strictly NOT permitted inside the butterfly farm as the heat and humidity causes distress to them and dogs cause distress to our resident green iguanas and birds. See Access Statement for the Butterfly Farm's dog policy.

The Butterfly Farm operates a one way self guided route taking in the Flight Area, Discovery Zone, Minibeast Metropolis and Rainforest Realm.

During busy periods such as weekends and school holidays, tickets should be booked online to guarantee entrance and avoid disappointment.

If you have Tesco Reward Partner codes just turn up on the day with your QR codes, as they are not bookable online.

If you are visiting term time in the week there is no need to book just turn up and pay on the day. Credit, debit cards and cash are accepted.

The butterfly farm expects to be busy during school holidays and at high season weekends including including, Easter, May Bank Holidays and August Bank Holiday.

If you prefer a quieter visit it is recomended to book your visit either during term time when it is likely to be quieter; or at weekends and school holidays after 3PM in spring and summer or after 2PM in the winter months. If you need advise on a quieter visit, please email enquiries@butterflyfarm.co.uk 

We politely ask that if you or a member of your family feel ill in any way on the day of your visit that you DO NOT visit the farm but reschedule. For assistance with amending bookings please email enquiries@butterflyfarm.co.uk

All persons inside the Butterfly Farm and its surrounding gardens should behave in a safe manner at all times and consideration given to the creatures that live there.

Please be respectful to other visitors and to members of our team during time spent at the butterfly farm. Any abuse towards staff or other visitors or refusal to co-operate with any reasonable request from butterfly farm staff will not be tolerated and you will be politley asked to leave without a refund.

On arrival follow the pathway to Reception and if you have pre-booked have your tickets ready for scanning.

The average visit time is for approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Your hand will be stamped on arrival and you may go round the butterfly farm as many times as you like, use the outside gardens and come back later on in the day as long as you retain your ticket and show the stamp on your hand to reception.

The cloakroom is available to leave coats and jackets with limited availability for buggies and prams on a first come first served basis.

Prams and buggies may be taken into the butterfly farm, just be careful as there may be butterflies on the floor, and do not leave them unattended.

Children's bikes and scooters are not permitted inside the butterfly farm and we ask you not to bring them with you.

Children 16 years and under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times and in all areas of the Butterfly Farm during your visit. Visitors must stay on the path and keep off the rock walls and flower beds. Be aware that there is a stream, small pond, waterfall and large pond within the Flight Area. See the map at the top of this page.

Soft drinks are allowed inside the butterfly farm. No glass bottles.

Food is not allowed inside the butterfly farm.

Alcohol is prohibited.

No bare chests please!

In the Rainforest Flight Area you can expect to see hundreds of butterflies and many different species from around the world. The butterflies respond to warmth, light and humidity. On sunny days they will be more active than on cloudy days. Visitor Guides and ID sheets are available from reception or to pre-order with online tickets.

It’s not just butterflies! Within the Flight Area there are two free roaming green iguanas called Prudence and Bennie as well as a variety of seed eating birds.

There are also numerous little frogs called Epipedodates tricolour. If you listen carefully you can hear them calling each other!

In the Discovery Zone learn about the amazing lifecycle of a butterfly. Within the Emerging Case you may see a butterfly hatch from its pupa!

Minibeast Metropolis is home to a range fascinating creatures. Stick insects, axolotl and frogs live alongside snakes, leafcutter ants and some of the worlds' largest spiders.

'Rainforest Realm' features creatures that originate from Central America as well as Sumatran Pit Vipers. The centre piece display is a replicated cenote in which dwells a magnificant spectacled caiman.

We politely ask all our visitors to not touch or pick the flowers and plants and not to touch the butterflies whilst at the Butterfly Farm. They have such delicate wings that doing so is detrimental to their well-being and will harm them. They may however land on you!

Photography is welcome at the Butterfly Farm, though we do ask that you are mindful of other visitors and stay on the pathways, do not block the pathways. No flash in Minibeast Metropolis or Rainforest Realm. Don’t forget to tag us in your images on social media! #stratfordbutterflyfarm. 

During high season weekends and school holidays tripods and large camera equipment will not be permitted so as not to block the pathways and cause congestion.

Toilets with disabled and baby changing facilities are available in the Discovery Zone. If you need the facilities but have gone past them please go round the pathway again and do not back track. 

The pathways are flat and level throughout the Butterfly Farm. For further information on access please read the access statement.

There are benches in the Flight Area, Discovery Zone and by the waterfall bridge.

The Nature Inspired Gift Shop sells a wide range of gifts for all the family as well as chilled drinks, confectionery, crisps and ice-creams.

Children should be supervised at all times whilst browsing in the gift shop.

Visitors may use the outdoor benches and tables in the Pollinator Garden. Please use the general and recycling bins provided in the gardens for any rubbish. During term term their use could restricted as visiting schools may be using them for lunch.

There are plenty of nearby cafés, pubs, bistros and restaurants.

Parking: There is no onsite visitor parking except for five bays for Blue Badge users to use for the duration of their visit to the Butterfly Farm only. It cannot be booked and is on a first come first served basis.

If the onsite bays are unavailable you may drop off and pick up from the entrance driveway.

There are car parks close by offering free unlimited parking for Blue Badge users.

The nearest car park for visitors to the Butterfly Farm Car Park is the Recreation Ground Car Park. This is located opposite the entrance gates to the Butterfly Farm.

For more information on the Recreation Ground Car Park click HERE

Whether you are visiting for a day or a little longer there is plenty to discover!

These are some of the butterfly farm's favourite things to see and do and recomended places to eat and drink.

Stratford Butterfly Farm is situated on the Recreation Ground on the opposite side of the river from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are lovely riverside walks suitable for all ages along both sides of the river. A couple of minutes walk from the butterfly farm entrance gates you can find a children's play park, mini-golf, cafe and the big wheel.

A cruise along the river Avon is a must when visiting Stratford-upon-Avon. Our neighbours at Avon Boating offer a wide range of public and private cruises as well as motor launches, punts and rowing boats.

If you fancy something magical and enchanting then Magic Alley is the place for you! It really is the most magical place in town and suitable for all the family.

For Shakespeare enthusiasts there are of course the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust properties to emerse yourselves in and the spectaular Royal Shakespeare Theatre, but there is a hidden gem that will thrill all Shakespeare lovers and that is Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall. Here you can visit the very classroom that William Shakespeare was taught in and have a lesson in Latin from a slightly scary Tudor Master!

For something a little quirky there is The MAD Museum! It's the only museum in the UK dedicated to displaying interactive pieces of automata, kenetic and mechanical art.

Tudor World is a fantasic, interactive, living history museum set within an historic 16th century grade II listed building. Great fun for all the family.

Enjoy a stroll around the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon with Stratford Town Walk to discover it's history and fascinating relationship with William Shakespeare. A highly entertaining and informative experience. Suitable for all ages.

Now onto food and drink and you will be spoilt for choice! The recomended establishments below are all family run independents that team butterfly have eaten and drank at so we know they are good!

There is something for all tastes and budgets at the fabulous three sisters on Sheep Street, Lambs Restaurant,  The Vintner Cafe & Wine Bar and The Opposition Bistro. Lambs has the addition of a gorgoeus courtyard dining area.

Newly opened Brazilian restaurant Beleza Rodizio in Bell Court serves an amazing range of steaks, and comes highly recommended by Team Butterfly.

Expect a warm Greek welcome from Flair and her team at El Greco. A stunning contempory restaurant, cafe and bar set in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. They are famous for their delicious 22 dish Greek banquet!

A short walk from the butterfly farm entrance gates, you will find The Boathouse Riverside Bistro & Bar. They have a fantastic riverside garden serving food and drinks or dine inside on the first floor of a refurbished working boathouse with amazing panoramic views across the Avon.

There are also plenty of other eating and drinking establishments in Stratford-upon-Avon that are also suitable for families, couples and individuals. Sheep Street also includes Loxleys Restaurant and Wine Bar as well as the Rose and Crown & Cafe Rouge. The world famous Dirty Duck pub is situated along Waterside where you may bump into an RSC actor!

For those wishing to stay in and around Stratford-upon-Avon there are plenty of Hotels, B&Bs and Caravan sites to choose from. 

The Old Four Penny Pub and Hotel in Warwick is a firm favourite of the Butterfly Farm. A small independent pub and hotel, a short drive or bus ride from Stratford-upon Avon, located near Warwick Racecourse and Warwick Castle.

Stay Play Explore offer fantastic value breaks for families and couples the price of which includes a trip to the butterfly farm.

For visitors requiring information regarding accessibility & inclusion in Stratford-upon-Avon, please visit the website 'My' Accessible Stratford-upon-Avon which includes a handy downloadable guide.

Stratford Butterfly Farm offers a variety of work experience placements and volunteering opportunities. 

If you are interested in either one of our work experience placementments and are 16 years or older please send a CV and Covering Letter to minibeasts@butterflyfarm.co.uk

Applications are now open for 2025/2026 academic year.

Animal Management Work Experience Placement

This programme involves caring for a range of animals including; invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, fish and birds.You will be asked to help with daily routines; i.e. cleaning and redesigning enclosures, feeds, assisting in health checks and completing general maintenance of the farm. You will also be asked to carry out ‘Animal Handling Sessions’  with the public and engage in visitor interactions.Some horticulture work would also be expected of you.

Horticulture Placement

This programme involves caring for the wide range of tropical flora we grow in the farm. You would learn how to sow, propagate and cultivate; fruit plants, vegetable plants, and feed plants for our butterflies. You would help to maintain the aesthetics of the farm and the constant growth of new stock. Some animal care work would also be expected of you.

Become a volunteer at Stratford Butterfly Farm!

If you are interested in becoming part of the volunteer team and would describe yourself as a confident and friendly character then we would love to hear from you!

Our volunteers engage with visitors, enhancing their experience at the Butterfly Farm and help to care for our beautiful butterflies and captivating caterpillars.

Our Farm attracts all ages and we would like our volunteers to mimic that, so if you are aged 16-99 years then please contact us by emailing minibeasts@butterflyfarm.co.uk