London Butterfly House

London Butterfly House
Map
51°28′42.88″N 0°19′1.26″W / 51.4785778°N 0.3170167°W / 51.4785778; -0.3170167
Date opened1981
Date closed28 October 2007
LocationBrentford, Middlesex, England

The London Butterfly House was a visitor attraction in Brentford, Middlesex, England where the public could view butterflies, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and arachnids.

Set in Syon Park, the grounds of Syon House, the facility consisted of three purpose built greenhouses situated overlooking a lake. The facility contained hundreds of the world's most exotic species of butterfly, along with descriptions and illustrations. It also contained a small aviary.

The London Butterfly House closed on 28 October 2007, due to the Duke of Northumberland's plans to build a hotel complex on the land.[1][2] The greenhouses were demolished in November/December 2007 and the 5 star hotel built in their place. The London Syon Park (part of the Hilton Worldwide Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts) opened in March 2011 with conference facilities, restaurants, and a spa.[3]

There was a proposal to build a replacement Butterfly House in Gunnersbury Park,[4][5] but this was rejected.[2]

The owners of the London Butterfly House acquired The Butterfly and Wildlife Park in Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, to which the creatures and many of the plants have been re-located. Unfortunately this closed in 2012 due to rising costs and reduced visitor numbers.[6]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Malvern, Jack (5 January 2005). "Duke's hotel is a threat to butterflies' historic home". The Times. The Times. Retrieved 18 July 2008.[dead link‍]
  2. ^ a b Brown, Ed; McGrath, Martin; Davis, Matt. "So Crosse As Butterflies Head North". journalism-courses.com. News Associates. Archived from the original on 2 January 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2008.
  3. ^ "Hilton London Syon Park". milesfaster.co.uk. Milesfaster. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Fears for butterfly house future". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 18 July 2008.
  5. ^ "Gunnersbury Park plan for Butterfly House". brentfordtw8.com. BrentfordTW8.com. 24 January 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2008.
  6. ^ "London Butterfly House". zoos-uk.com. Aardstorm. 6 December 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2008.
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