The Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo has a host of treats for all the family and is located less than ten minutes from Flanesford Priory. Not only do they have a wonderful butterfly enclosure teeming with hundreds of bright and exotic butterflies, they also offer miniature golf, the aMazing hedge puzzle and a brand new battle field especially built for the recent addition of Laser Ops which is like paint balling but without the pain and cooler equipment!
During my personal guided tour the passion for conservation and breeding of butterflies is apparent in the animated discussions of Lindsay Heyes one of the owners who showed me around. The Heyes brothers have been in Whitchurch for 30 years turning this tourist park into a vibrant and informative attraction.
After the butterfly tour came the best part! I was kitted out with my laser tagger and oh-so-cool backwards cap with sensors attached. I then ran commando style through the purpose built battle field consisting of army style barricades, huts, grass knolls and military vehicles, shooting at Ed Heyes and of course winning! The Laser Ops package offered is 2 hours and about 10 games of team related missions. A minimum of 10 players is required and they can accommodate up to 23 participants. The taggers are set to different levels and unlike paint balling where you can be ‘killed’ within seconds and have to sit out the rest of the game- the sensors can be set to ‘ten hits until you are killed’ etc. This gives even young children the chance to enjoy the games without getting frustrated. This activity is a definite for Stag and Hen parties visiting the Forest of Dean and Ross on Wye.
Another option available is the ‘Secret Agent Shoot Out’. This is where you have pistol style guns set to silent and you stalk your prey around the twists and turns of the hedge maze. The better you know the maze the better your advantage, but don’t take too long peering round corners or you might get tagged from behind!
With so many activities to enjoy as well as a puzzle shop, cafe, picnic area and visitors centre, the park at Whitchurch is a must see for visitors of the Wye Valley- just don’t be surprised to see me running around thinking I’m a bond girl!!! For more information or to book call 01600 890360 or visit The Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo
Myself and Ed
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