Popular attraction invites visitors to share moments of wonder during half-term—and make a pledge to protect nature
With Valentine’s Day falling during the February half-term holiday (14–22 February), Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is positioning itself as an unlikely but enchanting destination for romance this year.
The tropical rainforest attraction, with its fish-filled pools, cascading waterfalls, and hundreds of colourful butterflies dancing through lush vegetation, has become such a romantic hotspot that it has even served as the backdrop for marriage proposals.
And it’s not just the human visitors feeling amorous. As daylight hours begin to lengthen, the butterflies themselves are entering mating season. Visitors may witness the elaborate courtship rituals of male butterflies, who perform aerial dances around potential mates, wafting pheromones to attract their attention.
For the Valentine’s period, the Farm is offering visitors a limited number of complimentary marble hearts to keep or give to a loved one. In exchange, visitors are asked to write a “Valentine’s promise” pledging to do something positive for the environment, which will be displayed in the Discovery Zone.
Even the resident leaf-cutter ants in Minibeast Metropolis are getting into the spirit. Over the Valentine’s weekend, the industrious insects will be treated to a feast of edible hearts, which they will carry back to their colony along overhead ropework. The ants use the material as fertiliser to grow the fungus that feeds their colony.
“This Valentine’s Day, treat your beloved with a romantic visit to Stratford Butterfly Farm,” said Jane Kendrick, Marketing Manager. “Find a tranquil place and take in the beautiful surroundings whilst hundreds of tropical butterflies dance around you! Our marble hearts are a lovely keepsake, and we want to encourage everyone that visits to make a pledge and do something positive for our environment.”
Throughout half-term, visitors can explore Rainforest Realm—home to a magnificent spectacled caiman—and Minibeast Metropolis with its remarkable leaf-cutter ant colony. The Education Team will be running daily demonstrations in the Discovery Zone at 11am, including Meet the Mini-Beast, Butterfly Lifecycle, and Pupae sessions.
The Gift Shop stocks a range of nature-inspired Fairtrade gifts, along with refreshments and snacks.
If You Go
Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm
Open daily 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm), except Christmas Day
www.butterflyfarm.co.uk | 01789 299288
Leave a Reply