Stratford Upon Avon (revisited)

It wasn't all that long ago since Clare and I went to the Butterfly Farm in Stratford but we found ourselves there again today with friends.

There didn't seem to be as many butterflies as last time but there were some different types.  There were also a lot more birds (cockatiels and parrots).  Clare was disappointed that there was no food in the dispensers to feed the fish.

Afterwards we headed into Stratford and after a quick tour of the shops headed for Cafe Pasta for something to eat. I went for pizza with goats cheese, onions and peppers. It was lovely.  We had a 2 for one voucher (for up to 6 people) but when the bill came only one meal had been deducted.  When we queried it the manageress told us that the voucher meant that only one meal was free for every table of six!  So much for buy one get one free.  In our case it should have read buy three and get the fourth free. She did however, as a goodwill gesture, deduct the second meal.

All in all a good day out although I had hoped to have a quick look around the new revamped theatre but unfortunately we didn't have the time.   I'll have to wait until next time.

Stratford Upon Avon - Butterfly Farm

Stratford, Shakespeare's birth place.  It's not a place to go on a weekend or a Bank Holiday.  You can't move for tourists.  Whether it be USA, Japan, Spain or from just down the road like Birmingham or Coventry.  The weekend arrives and everyone heads to Stratford.  If the sun is shining it's even worse. It's always best to go in the week.  Visitors from abroad are still present but there are a lot less local tourists which at least allows you some room to breathe.

If it wasn't for Shakespeare Stratford would be like any other town but it does have one thing that no one else does, The Butterfly Farm.  This is where I went yesterday.

It's not the biggest of places and the entrance fee of just under £6.00 is possibly slightly too much but it is a marvellous place.  Once in you are surrounded by exotic butterflies. Some big and some small and most brightly coloured.  Like I say, it's not big and you could probably walk around it in a few minutes if you didn't stop to take it all in, but if you take a slow walk, following the path around the water feature, it is a great way to spend an hour or so.
If you are lucky the butterflies will land on you.  There are also birds, Iguanas and a separate section which contains various other insects, reptiles and amphibians.

It's a great place and is also very relaxing although I imagine it can get very busy at times.

After the Butterfly Farm a stroll along the river and then a bag of chips in front of the theatre (still being renovated) was followed by a walk around the shops before heading home.