Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary

Welcome to the Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary and Buckfast Butterfly Farm. We small, friendly, family run South Devon attraction, ideal for a family visit whatever the weather.

we aim to make your visit educational and fun. You can enjoy and learn about our tropical butterflies in the specially designed habitat of which you become part. You not only see the butterflies but feel the rainforest atmosphere that they enjoy as you see and learn about their amazing life cycle. In the Otter Sanctuary there are three species of otter to see, our native British otter, the playful Asian short clawed otters and the large North American river otters who love to show off

Our mission statement: to be a proactive supporter of the worlds flora and fauna and to provide an enjoyable, educational and thought-provoking visit focussed on our work and experience of otters and butterflies

The Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary has been carefully designed to provide our resident otters with the best possible conditions and our visitors excellent opportunities to see and enjoy them. We also have facilities for the treatment of any sick or injured otters that may be brought to us. It is hoped that having seen and enjoyed our resident otters and been given an understanding into their secret way of life, visitors will be more aware of the plight of otters world-wide, particularly of course our own native British Otter Lutra lutra.

The Butterfly House is a specially designed and maintained exhibition of living exotic butterflies, moths and caterpillars. where visitors can enjoy direct contact with some of the most beautiful members of the insect order from all around the world. You will see the 3 stages of the butterfly life cycle right before your eyes, It really is a fascinating insight into the magical metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly, you may even be lucky enough to see a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.

We also have a wonderful gift shop full of treats, surprises and gifts for any occasion.

Tickets are valid all day and you are welcome to leave the main building to enjoy the other things to do outside in the gardens and grounds and return again later.

There is a small children's playground and a lovely walk beside the River Dart to enjoy where we regularly have sightings of wild otters.

The feeding times at 11.30am, 2.00pm and 4.00pm these are the best times to see and enjoy the otters, so plan your visit around these times.

In combining education with a fun day out in Devon, we aim to encourage and inspire visitors to learn more of the daily life of our fascinating creatures and create a unique attraction for kids and big kids alike.