The moment you walk through the doors, you're hit by a tropical oasis. The warmth and humidity make you feel like you're stepping into a jungle paradise. And suddenly, you're faced with the fluttering wings of countless colourful butterflies.
The Natural History Museum has once again brought back the Sensational Butterflies pavilion for the summer, and it's an experience not to be missed. With hundreds of butterflies and so many different species to spot, it's an exhibit that everyone will enjoy.
The butterflies come in all shapes and colours - from red to blue, to orange and black.
Within the pavilion, you can see butterflies in all stages of the butterfly lifecycle. Tiny eggs dot the leaves of the citrus trees throughout, and if you look closely you can find caterpillars of all shapes and sizes – from the minuscule, newly-hatched larvae to the long, green caterpillars that are just days from forming a chrysalis.
For those with a keen eye, there are chrysalises hanging from the trees here and there. But the pavilion also contains a large 'nursery' of chrysalises, which come in all shapes and sizes. Visitors may also be lucky enough to witness a newly formed butterfly emerge from their cocoon, and prepare themselves to enter the world with wings.
Every now and then, a butterfly might decide to come and say hello in person. Be sure to snap a photo if one of the butterflies lands on you!
And then, of course, there are the butterflies - colourful, elegant and beautiful. There are black butterflies and orange butterflies, fluoro green and red butterflies. Ghostly white butterflies flutter from tree to tree, and tiny black butterflies hide within the foliage. One of our highlights is the beautiful blue morpho butterfly, with its wings of black and vibrant blue. And, every now and then a butterfly may just decide to come and say hello in person! Be sure to snap a photo if one of the butterflies lands on you.
Throughout the butterfly gardens are information panels, which help you to pick out the different species of butterflies that surround you. They also take you through the butterfly lifecycle, and other fun facts visitors can enjoy. And if you're interested in finding out more, there are volunteers and experts on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Sensational Butterflies is the ultimate way to celebrate the beauty of spring, summer and nature. Take a solo stroll through the pavilion and explore the diversity for yourself or bring along the kids to share the excitement with the whole family.
Visit the Natural History Museum's Sensational Butterflies pavilion until September 17. For more information visit their website.
