Emilia Fox & David Bellamy
Creepy crawlies, beautiful butterflies and phenomenal flowers provide the inspiration for a range of artistic and fun educational workshops for children at Butterfly World throughout the Easter holidays from 1st until 15th of April, with a special Family Fun Day on Easter Sunday 8th April.
Young visitors will be able to step into a butterfly's wings and ‘Become a Butterfly' with Herts Inclusive Theatre sessions, get crafty with felt and birdfeeders with Herts University Art team, and experience natural life through a lens in junior photography classes with Butterfly World's education team.
They can also meet fascinating furry and not so furry friends in a special ‘Animal Encounter' event on Easter Monday, learn to see with a bird's eye view at the RSPB Wildlife workshop and imagine life as a tiny insect in the giant ‘Through the Flower Pot Garden' and Insect Study Centre, home to hissing cockroaches, stick insects, ant colonies and African snails.
Angela Harkness Managing Director of Butterfly World comments: "Easter and spring is such an exciting time at Butterfly World as nature is coming to life - both the insects and plants.
It's fascinating to see nature's creativity in action. This year the focus for the season is on educating our visitors about the life cycle of the butterfly and also about how to grow butterfly-attracting plants to encourage the return of native butterflies into our gardens and outdoor spaces.
Over the school holidays there will be lots of opportunity for visitors to get imaginative and hands on in our workshops and events. It's a great way to explore the incredible lives of insects, birds, plants and wildlife."
2012 marks Butterfly World's third year and final phase of development. In 2013 the project, which is backed by Sir David Attenborough and David Bellamy will open its doors as the biggest butterfly experience, conservation and education centre in the world complete with living rainforest, 10,000 tropical butterflies, Mayan ruins, caves, streams and rope walkways, all housed in a massive 100m biome.
A special season opening ticket offer and a full calendar of Easter events and timings is available at www.butterflyworldproject.com.
Butterfly World is open from 28th March until 4th November. Opening hours are from 10am-5pm, seven days a week with last entry at 4pm each day. It is served by local buses and St. Albans train station and is situated just off the M1, junction 6a and M25, junction 21a.
Entry prices: All tickets £5 until 30th April 2012 then £7.50 from 1st May 2012. Concessions: (over 60's, students, registered disabled) £6.50, Children (under 3-16) £5.50.
Under 3's and Blue Peter badge holders free. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £20. Group discounts and seasonal memberships are also offered. Free parking is available, together with a picnic area, plant boutique, gift shop and café.