Reopening of The Butterfly House, August 2025

A green and peaceful space

We are excited to announce that the New Forest Wildlife Park Butterfly House is officially reopening. The team has been working hard to transform the greenhouse into a peaceful haven, but it's important to know that this is a new beginning and not a return to the past.

After five long years, The Butterfly House has reopened its doors with a fresh purpose and vision - to celebrate Britain's native butterflies and create a tranquil haven for conservation and a space for our visitors to enjoy.

A new chapter for the Butterfly House in the New Forest 

The building itself has a long history within the New Forest. In the 1980s, it was known as the New Forest Butterfly House and was one of the UK’s only dedicated butterfly houses. This original butterfly house was active until the mid-90s when it was taken over by NatureQuest, who completely removed the butterfly house and turned it into a space suited to native species, mammals, birds and insects.

In 1998, the Heap family took over the site and established the New Forest Otter and Owl Sanctuary (which would later become the New Forest Wildlife Park), the building remained closed and was used for other animals. However, in 2005, it was decided to bring the butterfly house back to life. They acquired plants and structures from the old Syon Butterfly House in London, which was being demolished at the time. The New Forest Wildlife Park reopened the popular tropical butterfly house in May 2005.

Sadly, in March 2020 the tropical butterfly house was closed, along with the park as part of the COVID-19 lockdown requirements and the global price of heating oil meant that it couldn’t be reopened post the pandemic and it was decided that it would be closed ‘permanently’.

Until Summer 2025, that is! 

Conservation focus on UK native species

In its new iteration, the Butterfly House will champion UK native species. The UK is home to 55 species of butterflies, many of which are in serious decline. The new approach allows us to focus on conservation and education, highlighting these incredible insects and the threats they face. We hope to inspire our visitors with ideas for how they can help create butterfly-friendly habitats in their own gardens.

While we won't have the same year-round abundance of tropical butterflies as before, visitors may be able to spot some of our native species, especially during the warmer months. Look carefully for pupae in the hatching box and a few butterflies flying around!

In addition to the butterflies, you'll find other native European species, including European yellow-bellied toads and European pond turtles, enjoying the tranquil, newly planted space.

A green and peaceful space

While we work to grow our butterfly population, the newly reopened Butterfly House is a beautiful, peaceful space to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. 

It's an ideal spot to take a break when visiting the park -  admire the lush planting, and observe our new turtle and toad residents. 

Over time, more sensory objects will be added, making it an even more engaging experience for visitors.

Important information for your visit to the New Forest Wildlife Park Butterfly House

When visiting The Butterfly House, please consider the following:

• Allergy Advice: The greenhouse contains plants not native to the UK. Please do not touch, lick, or eat any of the plants.

• Supervision: All children must be supervised by a responsible adult while in the greenhouse as with other parts of the park.

• Do not touch: Butterfly wings are very delicate. It is important that visitors do not attempt to touch the butterflies as touching their wings could damage their scales, and impair their ability to fly.

• Butterflies: We are still working to establish our butterfly population. You may not see any on your visit as some are being established, but we hope to have some very soon.

• Be careful where you step: As the Butterfly House is a walk through area, please be mindful of where you are stepping as some butterflies may be resting on the ground.