I visited this small collection based in Devon for the first time yesterday and thought people might be interested in what I saw.
The entry to the park is via a windy road through a railway-tourism attraction, and so quite an understated presence. After entering through the entrance/gift shop (not sure of price as I was there for work purposes), visitors emerge into a heated glasshouse for the butterflies. I have seen numerous butterfly houses previously, and given the size of the park I was impressed by the space and planting. Plenty of tropical butterflies (over a dozen species) were displayed with many active, probably in no small part to the sunny mid-20 degrees conditions outside. In the middle of the glasshouse was a landscaped pond containing koi/goldfish and the ubiquitous red-eared slider terrapins. There were two static displays of chrysalis ready for hatching, amazingly within easy reach of even the smallest child. Outside are five pens containing Canadian, European and short-clawed otters - I'd forgotten just how big canadian otters get (too used to seeing short-claws)! The pens were of a reasonable size and not showing too much erosion. All were fitted out with standard concrete-lined pools and the planting was mostly wild grasses/meadow plants and large trees. Two of the pens had an underwater-viewing area, which was pretty much a waste of time as the water was too murky. The only otters not out were the apparently very shy Europeans. I was told that they were part of a breeding program for possible release into the wild - I'm not sure whether this is just conservation-orientated propaganda for the public, or that they really believe that this might happen (it won't). And that was everything outside. Back through the butterfly house and giftshop and you are done. I am surprised that the park is able to survive given the limited collection (not sure why the owners came up with this combination) and space, but I was happily impressed with the butterfly area. Otters weren't bad either. No cafe, but that is probably due to the associated tourist attractions. If you are thinking of going I would give yourself a maximum of an hour's visit.
The entry to the park is via a windy road through a railway-tourism attraction, and so quite an understated presence. After entering through the entrance/gift shop (not sure of price as I was there for work purposes), visitors emerge into a heated glasshouse for the butterflies. I have seen numerous butterfly houses previously, and given the size of the park I was impressed by the space and planting. Plenty of tropical butterflies (over a dozen species) were displayed with many active, probably in no small part to the sunny mid-20 degrees conditions outside. In the middle of the glasshouse was a landscaped pond containing koi/goldfish and the ubiquitous red-eared slider terrapins. There were two static displays of chrysalis ready for hatching, amazingly within easy reach of even the smallest child. Outside are five pens containing Canadian, European and short-clawed otters - I'd forgotten just how big canadian otters get (too used to seeing short-claws)! The pens were of a reasonable size and not showing too much erosion. All were fitted out with standard concrete-lined pools and the planting was mostly wild grasses/meadow plants and large trees. Two of the pens had an underwater-viewing area, which was pretty much a waste of time as the water was too murky. The only otters not out were the apparently very shy Europeans. I was told that they were part of a breeding program for possible release into the wild - I'm not sure whether this is just conservation-orientated propaganda for the public, or that they really believe that this might happen (it won't). And that was everything outside. Back through the butterfly house and giftshop and you are done. I am surprised that the park is able to survive given the limited collection (not sure why the owners came up with this combination) and space, but I was happily impressed with the butterfly area. Otters weren't bad either. No cafe, but that is probably due to the associated tourist attractions. If you are thinking of going I would give yourself a maximum of an hour's visit.
