Butterfly Activities Weekend

Butterfly House Activities Weekend

Sun 1^st & BH Mon 2^nd May 2011

The Berkeley Castle Butterfly House opened last weekend on Good Friday. The first tropical butterflies such as the Blue Morpho (Morpho Peleides) and Owl Butterfly (Caligo Beltrao) had began to hatch throughout April just in time for the opening weekend.

The hard winter, took its toll on some of the specialist plant species grown in the Butterfly House, but due to the generosity of some local supporters, unwanted tropical plants have been donated and the Butterfly House is once again looking stunning, and so are the butterflies.

This weekend Sunday 1st & Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May will be the Butterfly Activities Weekend, with a host of Butterfly inspired activities to enjoy. Visitors can search for the hidden butterflies throughout the Castle Gardens in a Butterfly Trail. Butterfly tales will be told by story tellers in the Rose Garden adjacent to the Butterfly House and visitors can get creative in the Butterfly arts and crafts area – all of which is included within the global ticket.

The Butterfly House is located within the Walled Garden at Berkeley Castle, and it contains up to 25 different species of tropical butterflies which will reproduce throughout the Summer, to maintain and grow the numbers. The team spend many hours every day ensuring that the correct temperature and environment is maintained to ensure the optimum flying, feeding and breeding conditions for the butterflies.

Last year the Butterfly House was featured on ITV West when nine of the world’s largest moths, the Atlas Moth all hatched together in August. Visit the Butterfly House this weekend to see if any of the pupae hatch while you watch!

Visitors can learn about the life cycle of these beautiful creatures, staff are always on hand to answer questions and to explain about the balance of nature created in this Butterfly paradise on the Berkeley Estate.

For more information contact the Castle Office on 01453 810332, or e-mail info@berkeley-castle.com . Browse the website www.berkeley-castle.com.

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Photo captions:

Notes 1:

More Information about the Butterfly House:

Exotic species, from as far afield as Japan and Indonesia, fly freely in a tranquil tropical oasis and it is a wonderful opportunity to see rare species in beautiful surroundings. Species include the South American Blue Morpho, Glasswing, Hecales Longwing, Small Postman and the Owl Butterfly; as well as the Clipper, Mormons, Swallowtails, Lacewing & Tree Nymph all from South Asia.

The house is also home to the worlds largest moth – the Atlas Moth!

Visitors can observe their life cycle up-close through the display of caterpillars and chrysalises.

At the start of the season pupae of the different species is brought in, and butterflies are hatched in the nursery. Once hatched, they are able to breed freely in the idyllic surroundings, which are created by the tropical temperature and their preferred food sources.

Speciality plants are grown on site, some from all over the world.

The team spend many hours every day ensuring that the correct temperature and environment is maintained to ensure the optimum flying, feeding and breeding conditions for the butterflies.

Insects and pests damaging to the plants are kept at bay by the resident Chinese painted quail and diamond doves, who patrol the Butterfly House, organically controlling the bugs.

As the season progresses the numbers of butterflies soars – creating the most spectacular visual experience, as the Butterfly House teems with hundreds of tropical butterflies.

The Butterfly House shop is also open to non-visitors on open days and stocks many butterfly themed collectibles, and children’s gifts, as well ice-creams and various plants.

Note 2.

Berkeley Castle is now open on selected days until 30^th October and the Butterfly House is open, also on selected days until 29^th September 2011. Please check our website for exact opening times. The Global Ticket provides access to the Castle, Ground and the Butterfly House and costs £9.50 for Adults, £7.50 concessions & £5.00 for children (5-16years, under 5’s – free). Family tickets are available (2 adults & 2 children) for £24.00.

Note 3:

Berkeley Castle is a beautiful and historic Castle, begun in 1117 and still remains the home of the Berkeley family. The Castle was the scene of the brutal murder of Edward II in 1327 and besieged by Cromwell’s troops in 1645. The Castle is steeped in history but 27 generations of Berkeley’s have gradually transformed a Norman fortress into the lovely home it is today.

The state apartments contain magnificent collections of furniture, rare paintings by primarily English and Dutch masters, and tapestries. Some of the world famous Berkeley silver is on display and many other rooms including the Great Hall are available to view.

The Castle is surrounded by lovely terraced Elizabethan Gardens with a lily pond, Elizabeth I’s bowling green, sweeping lawns and a walled garden containing the Butterfly House.

For general information contact the Castle Office on 01453 810332, or e-mail info@berkeley-castle.com. Browse the website http://www.berkeley-castle.com/.

For more information:

Vicky Parr, General Manager

T: 01453 810332

E: Vicky.parr@berkeley-castle.com