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Opening Times
Open daily, except Christmas, Boxing and New Year's Days
Weekdays: 10am to 4:30pm
Weekends & school holidays: 10am to 5:30pm
Admission Prices
Adults: | £9.00 |
Children: | £8.00 |
(under 3's | Free) |
Seniors / Students: | £8.50 |
Family (2 + 2): | £32 |
Family (2 + 3): | £40 |
Group rates and season tickets also available; see zoo's website for details. |
Description
The Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife and Falconry Centre is located outside the village of North Anston, between Worksop and Sheffield. As its name suggests, the centre includes several distinct animal attractions, all accessed for the one entrance fee.
The Tropical House is designed to maintain an environment equivalent to a tropical rain forest. It is home to a wide variety of creatures, including around 35 species of butterfly, free-flying birds, caiman, toads, iguanas, and a variety of other insects and reptiles. These all live among carefully managed exotic tropical plants. Also within the Tropical House is a nocturnal reptile and insect room, which is maintained with low red light during the day, and white light during the night, so that visitors can see the collection of nocturnal animals while they are active.
The Bird of Prey Centre houses a collection of hawks, falcons, vultures and owls. Some of these birds are used in the flying displays and handling sessions held throughout the day. The falconry centre also provides handling experience days and half-days, for both adults and children, on a pre-bookable, extra charge basis. See the official website for details.
The baby animal nursery houses almost all of the centre's baby animals and expectant mothers. At weekends and during school holidays, the keepers will get out some of the animals for visitors to stroke.
The nature trail wends its way through about 3.5 acres of woodland and wild flower meadows, and includes an old quarry that is home to Britain's only native carnation. The woodland is home to a breeding pair of wild kestrels, tawny owls, and pipistrelle bats. Green and greater spotted woodpeckers can also often be seen from the bird hide, which provides visitors with the opportunity to sit and watch some of the wildlife. There are also a couple of ponds, with toads, newts, stickleback fish, and dragonflies. Free tractor trailer rides operate on a track through the nature trail area that is otherwise inaccessible to visitors.
The pets corner houses a variety of friendly farm animals and pets, such as goats, calves, lambs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and peacocks. Many of these animals can be stroked and/or fed by visitors. Children also have the opportunity to try milking the nanny goat. Feeding and milking times are advertised on boards within the grounds.
Other attractions for the children include indoor and outdoor play areas, and a sand pit. The café provides a range of snacks and refreshments, including full meals. The range of meals available is wider at weekends and during school holidays. The café also closes 1 hour before the rest of the centre,
Official Website
(Opens in separate window)
Facilities
Car Park
Free
Eating
Snacks & Refreshments, Café, Picnic area
For Kids
Indoor & outdoor play areas, activity centre, sand pit, pets corner
Special Needs
Most of the centre is accessible to wheelchairs.
Disabled toilets
Restrictions
No dogs (except guide dogs) or other pets
Attractions
Animal Collections
Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrates
Note: The animal pictures on this page are merely representative of this type of attraction; they do not mean that the animals can be found at this specific attraction.
Special Attractions
A variety of handling and feeding sessions, and flying displays take place throughout the day.
Free tractor trailer rides.
How To Get There:
By Car
From M1 north & south:
Follow M1 to junction 31. Take the A57 towards Worksop. In Anston, turn left at the traffic lights onto B6060 towards Dinnington. At brow of hill and just before `The Cutler' pub, turn right into Woodsetts Road, towards Woodsetts and Worksop. The Tropical Butterfly House will then be on the left, about 0.5 miles after leaving North Anston village.
From A1 (south-east):
Follow the A1 north towards Doncaster, to junction with A57 and A614. Turn left onto A57, and follow it around Worksop to and into Anston. Turn right at traffic lights onto B6060 towards Dinnington, and follow the directions to the Tropical Butterfly House given above.
From A1 north, (and M18):
Follow the A1 south, and continue onto A1(M). Turn right onto M18 and follow it south to the M1. Continue on M1 south to junction 31, then follow directions given above.
Data on this page last updated: Apr 13 2014
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