Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House
BEST FOR
Ages 3-16
ENTRY
from £5.35
WHERE
Downpatrick
What it’s like
Free-flying tropical butterflies in a warm glasshouse, then a walled garden and maze to explore outside.
The butterfly house is the bit to head for first: exotic plants and free-flying tropical butterflies in a warm, enclosed space, which makes it a decent option even on a grim day. Once you've had your fill of that, the historic walled garden and the maze are outside for the older kids to charge round while younger ones potter along behind.
Ages 3 to 16 are catered for on the pricing, and it works as a couple of hours out rather than a full day. You can pay for just the butterfly house or just the gardens at £5.35 a child and £7.95 an adult, or do both together for £7.80 a child and £13.70 an adult, which is the better value if you've got time for the lot. There's no need to book unless you're coming as a group of ten or more, so it's an easy one to decide on the morning.
The Garden House Café does coffee, quick snacks and home-baked cakes, enough for a mid-visit break rather than a full lunch stop. Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, but a later 12noon start on Sundays, so plan around that if you're heading over at the weekend. If you reckon you'll be back more than once, the season pass gives unlimited access for a year from purchase, which could be worth it if the maze becomes a regular request.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 3 to 16, though the maze suits the older end more
- Booking
- Large groups of 10+ persons advised to book in advance
- Food
- Garden House Café serving coffee, quick snacks and home-baked cakes
- Worth knowing
- Season pass allows unlimited access for one year from date of purchase
- Combined ticket for both butterfly house and gardens works out cheaper per visit than paying separately
- Sundays open later at 12noon rather than the usual 10am
- Groups of 10 or more should book ahead, everyone else can just turn up
- Season pass gives a year of unlimited access if you think you'll be back
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£5.35 for a child and £7.95 for an adult if you're just doing the butterfly house or just the gardens. Combined entry to both is £7.80 a child and £13.70 an adult.
Do we need to book?
Not for a normal family visit. Groups of ten or more are advised to book ahead.
What are the opening hours?
10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 12noon to 5pm on Sundays.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
The pricing starts at age 3, so it's set up with young children in mind, though there's no separate baby-specific area listed.
What food is there?
The Garden House Café serves coffee, quick snacks and home-baked cakes, good for a break rather than a big sit-down meal.
Is there a season pass?
Yes, it gives unlimited access for a year from the date you buy it, handy if the maze or butterfly house becomes a repeat request.
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