Stratford Butterfly Farm

What We Offer Visiting Schools

A visit to Stratford Butterfly Farm offers an excellent opportunity for children of all ages and abilities to learn about the life cycle of a butterfly, tropical rainforest environments and the plants and animals that live within these habitats.

The Butterfly Farm also covers the topic of the Maya, an ancient civilisation that lived within the tropical rainforests of Central America. With plenty of hands on, close observation and activity in an authentic rainforest environment, the Butterfly Farm is the perfect place for a magical and educational day out with your class.

Educational visits consist of an introductory talk, a 60-minute tour of the Butterfly Farm, incorporating the chosen topic, led by an expert member of the Education Team, and a Meet the Minibeast handling session.

The Butterfly Farm is also a great place to visit for pupils studying art and design subjects. Instead of a tour, students can immerse themselves in natures patterns and spend an hour sketching butterflies, plants, flowers and exotic creatures.

The Butterfly Farm has over 40 years of experience delivering informative, and engaging visits to school children of all ages.

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm offers a unique educational experience, immersing students in vibrant ecosystems while learning about butterflies, insects, rainforests, plants and conservation. It provides a live display of tropical butterflies and other interesting creatures including green iguanas, a spectacled caiman, and a pair of Sumatran pit vipers, making it ideal for an engaging and memorable school visit.

Subjects and Topics Covered

• History
• Religion
• Leisure & Tourism
• Art
• Geography
• Animals & Birds
• Science & Environment

Accreditation and Awards

Finalists in the School Travel Organiser Education / Learning Team of the Year 2024

Group Sizes Catered For

Maximum group size 30 – 40 pupils. Larger group sizes of up to 120 can be accommodated as they will be split into smaller groups on arrival.

Itineraries, Resources, and Workshops

Stratford Butterfly Farm offers schools a choice of guided tours each of which will incorporate the relevant class topic. Each tour is adapted to the age and needs of the class.

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly & Meet the Mini-Beasts tour turns your class into jungle explorers and introduces them to the Butterfly Farm, its’ inhabitants, the life cycle of a butterfly, insect anatomy, and the tropical rainforest environment in which the butterflies live!

The Discover the Maya & Meet the Mini-Beasts tour, will immerse your class in an authentic rainforest environment, where they will feel the warmth of a Belizean summer’s day. The class will be introduced to the Maya lifestyle, habitat and civilisation; including their culture and how they were able to build a complex civilisation within the harsh environment of a rainforest.

The Butterfly Farm works with other venues in Stratford-upon-Avon to provide exclusive great value combination visits for schools.

Risk Assessment

School groups to have a minimum ratio of 1 adult per 10 children. A member of the Education Team will be present with the group during their visit. Risk assessment available on request or from the website. Complementary teacher pre-visit.

Education Department Information

Please contact the booking coordinator, Jane Kendrick by email at schools@butterflyfarm.co.uk

Pricing Information

Discounted educational rates for groups of 10+. 1 free teacher place per 10 paying pupils. Home educator and small group rates are also available.

Discounted educational rates for combination school visits to the Butterfly Farm and participating venues: Avon Boating, The Mad Museum and Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall. See website for more details.

Facilities

Facilities include lockers for school groups, coach drop off and pick up point, onsite toilets, Education Area for introductory talks. Immersive display spaces; Rainforest Flight Area, Discovery Zone, Minibeast Metropolis and Rainforest Realm. Bookable lunch spaces, picnic area, and outdoor pollinator garden. Nature inspired gift shop.

Accessibility and Disabled Facilities

SEN groups catered for. All areas of the Butterfly Farm are fully accessible with flat and level pathways throughout. Onsite disabled toilets. Onsite disabled parking

Opening Hours

Open daily except Christmas Day

School visits with a full guided tour available week days term time.

School visits during school holidays and at weekends available with an introductory talk followed by a self-guided tour.

April to September 10:00 -18:00, last school booking 16:30

October and March 10:00 – 17:30, last school booking 16:00

November to February 10:00 – 17:00 last school booking 15:00

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