How did the Butterfly Tunnel on our farm get started?

One of the most magical spots on the farm is our Butterfly Tunnel — and it all started over 15 years ago, thanks to the vision and passion of one of our brilliant volunteers, Anne Barnett. Since then, the tunnel has become a favourite for visitors of all ages, offering a close-up look at the fascinating life cycles, behaviours, and habitats of tropical butterflies.

Today, the tunnel is managed by Liz, a valued member of our farm team who has been running it for the past five years. With a background in farming and experience in the care sector, Liz first took charge of the Discovery Garden thanks to her love of plants. In 2020, she bravely took on the Butterfly Tunnel with no prior experience! After a hands-on visit to the Butterfly House in Stratford, she began learning the rest herself, building up years of knowledge and care along the way.

How do the butterflies get to the farm?

Each year, Liz orders butterfly chrysalises from Stratford’s Butterfly House. When they arrive, she carefully attaches them to sticks using a tiny dab of superglue (yes, really!) and places them in the hatching cabinet. The aim is for butterflies to eventually breed and lay their own eggs here, but because of their short lifespans, new pupae are ordered regularly throughout the summer to keep the tunnel thriving.

Smaller butterflies, like Swallowtails, often live just one week, while larger species like Owls can live for up to four weeks.

A tropical home, built specially for butterflies

Our tunnel is filled with lush, tropical plants chosen specially to support both butterflies and caterpillars. These include:

• Lantana
• Passion flowers
• Banana trees (with their huge caterpillar-friendly leaves)
• Dahlias
• Lemon trees
• Lilies

These plants provide nectar, shelter, and food, helping our butterflies live happy and healthy lives. We also receive fruit donations like bananas and citrus from our local Waitrose, which become delicious butterfly snacks for some of the breeds.

Why is it so warm in there?

The tunnel is kept at a warm 26°C with a high humidity of 70–80% — perfect conditions for tropical butterflies to thrive. Misters help to keep the air moist (and give the tunnel that rainforest feel), while fans and open windows help cool things down when it gets too hot.

If it gets too cold (below 18°C), butterflies can’t fly or feed. If it gets too hot, it can harm the pupae — so keeping the balance right is crucial.

Getting ready for the next season

The Butterfly Tunnel closes each October as cooler weather sets in. But behind the scenes, Liz stays busy. In February and March, she prunes back the fast-growing plants, clears the paths (bindweed is the biggest battle!), checks the misters, and gets the water feature cleaned and running again.

By early May, the first pupae arrive and the whole magical cycle begins once more. As the season kicks off, you may not see many butterflies flying just yet — but check the hatching cabinet to watch them slowly emerge. It’s a truly special moment!

Come and visit!

The Butterfly Tunnel is open every day in summer. It’s a wonderful place to slow down, look closely, and be amazed by nature. As Liz says:

"It’s always a pleasure to see people in the tunnel, discovering new butterflies and plants."

Come and experience it for yourself — and keep an eye out for new arrivals!