Who doesn't love beautiful butterflies?
Stepping into the Horniman Butterfly House, it takes a while to get used to insects as large as our fist flapping around our heads. They're not shy either, and are happy landing on our arms, legs and head. But once we're used to it, it's hard not to gaze in wonder at these brilliant creatures.
This small house is a tropical paradise of plants, and is home to hundreds of butterflies. As this is a permanent addition to the Horniman, there will be different species depending on what time of the year you visit. Handy charts are nearby to help you figure out which species has taken a sudden liking to your shoulder.
You can also watch butterflies emerge from their pupae and fly off around the house. It's great fun, just watch out for the ones that land on the floor — we came close to treading on a few.
As it's a relatively small building, a limited number of people are allowed in at a time, so booking a timed slot is a good idea. We're big fans of the Horniman, so it's great to see another family friendly addition in its grounds.
The Horniman Butterfly House is now open seven days a week. Individual tickets are £6, family tickets £15.
