Winter gardens and tropical butterflies at RHS Wisley
We couldn’t have picked a better place to visit during the January cold snap. RHS Wisley gave us the perfect balance of frozen landscapes and a thawing walk around this year’s butterfly event in its iconic Glasshouse.
Seeing the tropical butterflies at RHS Wisley is one of my recommended ways to beat the winter blues in the UK, so it was a must-see during our stay at Bel & The Dragon Inn in Surrey.
Wisley was handed into the care of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1903 after being used as an experimental garden for growing difficult planets for several decades. Trails and education remain important aspects of what happens at RHS Wisley today.
Visiting the tropical butterflies at RHS Wisley
At the beginning of each year RHS Wisley’s Glasshouse comes alive with more than 6,000 exotic butterflies. In 2017 there are 50 species from areas of the world such as Central and South America and Southeast Asia. The Glasshouse’s Tropical Zone where they fly is designed to mimic the conditions of a rainforest.
We arrived an hour after the gardens opened and headed straight to the Glasshouse, admiring the frozen landscapes as we walked to the far end of the 60 acre grounds.
While the flower beds and borders have only a fraction of the foliage you would see in the spring and summer, there are still enchanting works of art to entertain you as you walk through the gardens. The special sculpture trail has been created by artist Alison Catchlove whose work centres around nature.
RHS Wisley is obviously extremely popular with families at the weekends as the buggy park outside the Glasshouse was already brimming with pushchairs when we got there.
In the first half of the Glasshouse we saw two glass fronted cases where butterfly chrysalises were incubating. Tin Box Tot didn’t believe us when we explained that these hard looking pods would turn into beautiful butterflies. That was until we spotted a very young insect that had just emerged from its cocoon, drying its new wings. We walked on round the Glasshouse, admiring more art hanging from the roof. Then it was time to enter the Tropical Zone.
Butterflies in the Glasshouse
We hadn’t felt the need to remove many layers until now but as soon as we walked through the plastic drapes, designed to keep the butterflies in, we hit a wall of heat.
Off came all our winter coats and I wished we’d left some of our outer layers with our pushchair. Between us Mr Tin Box and I got rather warm just carrying our discarded clothes.
The Tropical Zone was the most crowded part of RHS Wisley with people shuffling around the Glasshouse’s walkways and vying for the best spots to photograph the butterflies.
You can buy a Spotter Guide for £1 when you enter the Glasshouse to help you tick off the butterflies you see. We notched up a Glasswing and Giant Owl before becoming too absorbed in watching the insects fluttering all around us. Fifteen of the species have never been seen at RHS Wilsey before including Blue Waves, Giant Swallowtails and Tiger Leafing.
The pretty and practical base layers worn by the Tin Box girls were sent to us by Three Bags Full – a New Zealand company specialising in 100% pure New Zealand merino sheep wool children’s and baby clothes. These helped keep them toasty warm under their coats in the frosty gardens and were cool enough to wear while we spotted butterflies in the steamy Glasshouse. They have become a firm favourite with the girls and I love knowing they are comfortable during our indoor and outdoor adventures.
Exploring the frozen gardens
Back outside we quickly pulled on our coats and began our walk back towards the entrance. It was like wandering through a winter wonderland. This was the coldest weekend I can remember in a long time. Tin Box Tot marvelled at the frosty lawns and enjoyed skidding around on frozen puddles. Even the ducks looked at bit bemused.
The gardens are home to one of the largest collections of plants in the world. While we weren’t able to fully appreciate them during our winter visit, there was so much open space for the girls to run around. It would be great to return in the warmer months to explore the different planted areas of Wisley in all their colourful and perfumed glory.
Visit RHS Wisley this half term
During February Half Term (11-19 February, 2017) there will be a range of family events at RHS Wisley. Events are included in the standard entrance fee. Check the website for details and save 10% on entry by booking tickets online.
RHS Wisley’s butterfly event continues until 5 March.
Disclosure: we were invited to visit the butterflies at RHS Wisley in exchange for a review. All views are my own and those of my family. We were also sent the girls’ Three Bags Full outfits in exchange for a mention on the blog.
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Oh wow Claire, RHS Wisley sounds lovely. How cool that you were there just in time to see a butterfly emerge from its cocoon! Your girls are growing up so much, they are so different to when I met them at the Bristol event!
I know! Every time they blink they grow an inch!
I can imagine my kids chasing after butterflies in the glasshouse! Does sound like a lovely way to chase away the winter blues indeed. #MondayEscapes
Bumble Bee Mum recently posted…Experience a different Pattaya @ Sea Sand Sun Resort & Villas
It looks so beautiful, I do love a butterfly house, its funny because Jack is scared of them, although he wont admit it x
Sarah Christie recently posted…A Cheeky Trip To London
So many people are! I didn’t realise until recently. It was a lovely experience though.
I remember taking my boys to see the butterflies at Kew Gardens when we lived locally, but now Wisley is on our doorstep and your post has inspired us to visit! #MondayEscapes
DaisLikeThese recently posted…Sicily with Kids: Amazing Things To Do In and Around Taormina
Fab! I hope you have a lovely time 🙂
How amazing to see a newly hatched butterfly! Such a great learning experience. #MondayEscapes
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…Doc Yard’s Secret Lab at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, in Kent
Definitely. It was really interesting for me too!
It looks really cold but what a wonderful place to go on a day out when it is. Booked marked and pinned! #MondayEscapes
Mini Travellers recently posted…5 Reasons to Visit Domaine Des Ormes with Kids
Thanks Karen!
RHS Wisley looks like a great outdoor winter activity to do with kids. Particularly love the frozen lake. Getting out and about can be challenging in winter, so this seems perfect. #mondayescapes
David recently posted…9 Things to Know Before Visiting Estonia
It was a really good place to go with the kids. Lots of space and interesting things to see. And they loved seeing the ice. We don’t get as much now as when I was their age!
I was lucky enough to have a tour here when I visited for a work meeting; must go back with the toddler!
What a greta place for a work meeting! It’d definitely worth a return trip 🙂
Sculptures, gardens and butterflies – sounds like a superb day out! It must be strange to see tropical butterflies on a freezing cold day; the contrast must be extreme! We also have a butterfly pavilion here in Luxembourg, but it’s closed over the winter. I’d never considered before what they actually do with all the butterflies during this period – move them to a warmer place? #MondayEscapes
Jonny (daisythebus) recently posted…The encounter on the island
It was really extreme differences in temperature during the week we visited. I think I have some sad news for you about what happens to the butterflies…some only have a short lifespan 🙁
I’ve got plans to go to Wisley next week so this post is perfect timing! I hope we have time to visit the butterfly house too. That’s right up my street. How wonderful that you got to see some freshly popped out of their cocoon! Good to see it has lots to offer in the winter as well as summer. Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes
Elizabeth -Wander Mum recently posted…Family Ski Trip To Morzine – In Photos
Have a wonderful time! We easily filled a morning and there was lots more to see.
This looks fantastic! We love exploring gardens, so it’s right down our alley. Adding RHS Wisley to our UK “to do” list!
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net) recently posted…Monday Motivation: I would rather own little…
Good idea! You’ll have a great time in this wonderful English garden
I am dreaming of the humidity and warmth of the butterfly house! I’ve never visited Wisley but have been to a few butterfly houses, they’re always great for taking photographs of exotic species that you’d never normally see. And for warming up on a winter day….. #Mondayescapes
Christine recently posted…Snowdrop Sunday at Kingston Bagpuize House, Oxfordshire
Yes, the extra warmth was very much appreciated. It did play havoc with my camera lens though, steaming it up at the crucial moment when we came to the butterflies!
What a wonderful place to visit in the middle of winter… all those beautiful butterflies and tropical plants are great therapy for winter blues. It looks veeeery cold in the gardens, but I imagine just how beautifully it will be transformed in summer.
They will be stunning in the summer but the winter ice ad frost was just a beautiful
I do love how gardens like RHS Wisley are introducing art/sculpture into their gardens – it’s made me visit country estates even more.
Your photos are stunning – hot butterfly colours and icy frost too – just beautiful.
#mondayescapes
Trish @ Mum’s Gone To recently posted…On the Waterfront in Portugal with Inntravel
Thank you. The landscape and weather did all the work!
Looks like a great place to avoid the cold for a little bit. Your girls look so thrilled! 🙂 I have a weird fear of butterflies. I was told they would make me blind as child and even though it’s not true, I’m still scared of them! The frozen garden looks stunning though, so I would love to visit that part!
Bryna | Dotted Line Travels recently posted…10 Highlights from the Ruins of Pompeii
You’re not the first person to mention a butterfly phobia. I can see how being told that they would be really scary! You would definitely like the garden though 🙂
Oh wow! I love butterflies (well, that is why my blog is called tanama – butterfly in the Taino language). Like you mentioned, this would be a perfect way to escape the cold. As a matter of fact, I visited a similar garden in New York City on December. I didn’t have to worry about the cold but I sweat quite a lot. #MondayEscapes
I’ve learnt something new today! I didn’t know that’s what Tanama meant.
Oh I’ve wanted to go here for ages and I didn’t even realise there were butterflies there! Hope you don’t mind but ok pinning your post for future reference! Thanks so much for hosting #MondayEscapes!
Mrs Lighty recently posted…10 Things that Happen when you’re the Mum of a Small Baby
You’re very welcome to pin it 🙂 The butterflies are only around for a few more weeks, so get there quickly if you’d like to see them this year.
We love butterfly farms we’ve visited a couple on recent holidays, there is something about that is so calming and just makes you smile when surrounded by butterflies.
Sally’s Tips 4 Trips recently posted…How to Save Money to Travel
I feel exactly the same. They are so light and delicate – you can’t help but feel floaty around them 🙂
What a great way to escape the winter cold, stepping inside a tropical glasshouse.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…How to Choose a Travel Stroller
It was so toasty warm after the icy cold outside!
This looks such a wonderful place to visit – we will have to put it on our list of things to do for this year. My eldest is OBSESSED with butterflies. Lovely lovely photos! #Mondayescapes xx
The butterflies are only around until the beginning of March but the gardens are beautiful all year round
Wow the RHS Wisley looks really great from the outside, especially when you look at that lovely frost! The Tropical Butterflies are like a wonderful hidden extra. Looks like you had a great day 🙂 #MondayEscapes
It was a lovely place to visit and we saw it at such an extraordinary time with the ice and frost.
Looks a great place to visit. Looks so pretty with all the frost about. Think our boys would enjoy visiting #MondayEscapes
Ours really enjoyed it. The frost and ice was greta fun for them
How charming! Grounds look pretty too.
Lydia C. Lee recently posted…Pilgrimage Village, Hue
They really are. I’d love to see them in summer now.
This absolutely takes the cake for butterfly gardens and public space! We love exploring parks and gardens when we travel, and this whole complex is amazing. Very reminiscent of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
Ooh, I haven’t been to San Francisco. I’ll have to make a note to visit the park when we do go.
We love visiting the butterfly sections at botanical gardens. Seeing them in their cocoons is always the most fascinating part to me, and their extraordinary colors full grown blow me away. Sounds like a great day out! #mondayescapes
They are so bright and vibrant. I loved seeing the flashes of blue and red all around us. I was really surprised by how many butterflies we saw.
I love exploring gardens in the fall and winter. It gives such a different perspective! You planned such a lovely outing at RHS Wisley – I would love to explore it with my family.
Cristin recently posted…Fun Activities In St. Louis With Kids
It was a lovely morning and you are right. It is great to see this type of place in the winter.
Oh this looks like a lovely day out. Your pictures are great -I love the one of your wee one concentrating on the map! #Mondayescapes
Coral-Way too much luggage recently posted…Shining a light on Spectra 2017
My two love maps. I always grab one when I see them during our days out as I know they will be entertained for ages with them.
RHS Wisley is high on my list of places to visit and I’d love to see the Butterfly Garden – it looks wonderful and huge! What a fun day out and lovely shot of the girls together. #MondayEscapes
Cindy recently posted…6 Family-Friendly London Museums
Thanks. It’s very difficult to get they to stay still together so this is a rare one 🙂
Love those butterfly pictures! What a fantastic place to visit with kids. I’m sure our son would have a blast. Actually, you inspired me to find out if we have something like that in The Netherlands and we have! So we’ll have to plan a visit soon 🙂 #MondayEscapes
That’s fab! I can recommend it.
Pretty cool that you can get a taste of the tropical climate in the middle of winter and enjoy viewing all of the butterflies. Isn’t it awesome to introduce your littles to the concept of metamorphosis? It is kind of mind-blowing, isn’t it!
Rachel G recently posted…Why California?
Absolutely. I’m not sure they believed us 🙂
What a cool exhibit. I know my kids would be fascinated by all the butterflies. And my husband and I love gardens so this would be an enjoyable activity for the whole family. #mondayescapes
Allison recently posted…Day Trip to Tillamook, Oregon
Yes, there’s definitely something for everyone. WE had a lovely time as a family
Wisely has been on my list for awhile – thanks for reminding me #mondayescapes
Wandermust mummy recently posted…European City Breaks with Babies Part Two, N-Z
You’re very welcome. Enjoy!
Oh wow what a beautiful place to take kids and explore nature, flowers and wildlife up close and personal – this is going on my summer bucketlist
Just popping over from #MondayEscapes
Laura x
It will be wonderful in summer. The butterflies won’t be there but I know the gardens will be amazing!
Butterfly farms are the best – I was obsessed with butterflies as a kid and my poor mum pretty much took me to every farm in the UK, this brings back such fond memories! #MondayEscapes
LOL! What a great hobby though 🙂
This is so beautiful. I love butterfly houses. I live in Sheffield and one of my favourite days out is the tropical butterfly house. 🙂 my son loves it and I like the exotic feeling! Looks like a lovely day out, really nice photos.
#mondayescapes
Thank you. The butterflies did all the hard work 🙂
What a brilliant idea for a cold day – frosty walks outside and then warm up in the greenhouses. Love your pictures of the butterflies am amazed there are 6000 of them! Thanks for sharing this beautiful place it looks like it would be fantastic at all times of year. Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes
Wherejogoes recently posted…LA CHEVRE D’OR- THE MOST ROMANTIC PLACE I HAVE EVER STAYED
It definitely would. I’d really like to go back in another season to appreciate more of the gardens.
Loving that beautiful half-timbered house! I’d go just for that! #MondayEscapes
Lolo recently posted…A Beginners Guide to Oktoberfest
Yes, it is stunning right?! Imagine the views from those top windows across the landscape. Amazing!
wow, I’d love to visit RHS Wisley. I’m a fond of butterflies and I love to see many of them too.
I’d love to go to RHS Wisley. We go to RHS Harlow Carr all the time and love it so it’d be fab to go to Wisley too. The photos of the gardens on frosty winter day are stunning.
Jo Addison recently posted…59 Things To Do In Yorkshire With Toddlers
It had me mesmerised. I can’t remember the last time I saw so much frost and ice well into the day. Wesley is lovely and I’d definitely like to go back in the spring or summer if we are in the area.