Family attraction in Cornwall Guy's Butterfly House opening date

Guy's Butterfly House started off as a private butterfly house in St Hilary, a village of the Helston to Penzance road.

However, after the first lockdown last year owner Guy Rosewall decided to try opening it up to the public - and the result has been incredible.

Such was its popularity that it ended up opening every day, only closing in November as covid case numbers rose.

Now, with the further easing of lockdown restrictions tomorrow (May 17) the butterfly house is preparing to reopen again, from this Friday.

Guy Rosewell started the butterfly house privately but decided to open it to the public. Picture: Guy's Butterfly House

Guy said: "Last year was a complete surprise in its popularity and we had little time to have things arranged how we would like.

"We are very much looking forward to breeding butterflies once more and we are working to create more room inside the polytunnel and have easier access."

Over the space of 30 minutes, families and groups have exclusive entry to the 900 square foot polytunnel, where there are free flying butterflies from all over the world.

Originating from South America, Africa and Asia, visitors can learn about the colourful creatures from egg through to butterfly.

The butterflies come in a variety of bright colours. Picture: Guy's Butterfly House

Guy told the Packet: "I have been interested in butterflies on and off since I was 11 years old.

"The butterfly house started as a hobby, but I decided to open it to the public last year during the first year of the pandemic.

"It went well, so I thought why not do it again this year?"

He receives the butterflies in chrysalis form, from a butterfly pup dealer with a licence to import various species.

"These are all legal and not protected, and the whole business helps to protect the butterflies habitat because they are bred by local people in the countries they originate," added Guy.

The butterflies come in many sizes. Picture: Guy's Butterfly House

Entry to the butterfly is by pre-booked slots only, via the 'Guys Butterfly House' Facebook page booking link, and face masks must be worn.

The cost is £10 for up to four people, then £2.50 for each extra person.

During the half-hour time slot people can photograph the butterflies or simply walk around and enjoy them.

The butterfly house is based in the grounds of Equus Solutions, a centre helping adults, children and young people to practice healthy life skills in a physically and emotionally safe environment, including through the use of horse therapies.