New Forest Wildlife Park reopens its Butterfly House with a focus on UK conservation

The New Forest Wildlife Park is excited to announce the reopening of its Butterfly House after a five-year closure. It marks a new chapter for the space, which has been transformed into a tranquil, green space dedicated to British and European native species.

The Butterfly House closed in March 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and rising heating costs, and had stayed empty until this summer. The new focus is on championing native butterflies in the UK, a timely and important conservation effort given that many of the 55 species found in Britain are in serious decline.

"This is a new beginning for a space that holds a lot of nostalgia for our visitors and staff," said Jason Palmer, Curator at the New Forest Wildlife Park. "While it won't be a return to the year-round tropical experience of the past, we are excited about the new vision and purpose for the space. The Butterfly House will be a green and peaceful space in the park and a hub for conservation, inspiring our visitors with ideas for how they can help create butterfly-friendly habitats in their gardens."

The building itself dates back to the 1980s when it was opened as one of the UK’s first dedicated butterfly houses. It was later repurposed before being brought back to life in 2005 with tropical plants and structures from London's demolished Syon Butterfly House.

While the native butterfly population is still being established, visitors may be able to spot pupae in the hatching box and a few butterflies during the warmer months. The space is also home to new residents, including European yellow-bellied toads and European pond turtles, which align with the park's focus on British and European native species. 

The New Forest Wildlife Park invites visitors to visit the new Butterfly House and enjoy this peaceful, green space. It is an ideal spot to take a break, admire the planting, and learn about the park’s new conservation initiatives.

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