On the final day of the holidays we decided to have one last summer day out and headed to Preston Park in Stockton where they also have a Butterfly World.

The last time we came here it was L’s first birthday and while she enjoyed it she wasn’t fully aware of what it was all about. One year on and she was completely in awe of the place.

It has always been a big hit with M and we have been a lot over the years. It never gets old though and this time the butterflies seemed even more active than last time and seemed to fly right at you before darting off at the last second.

This little pond in the middle is stunning and all the flowers everywhere are beautiful.

You can get so close to these gorgeous butterflies, I just wish I was a better photographer, or at least had something other than my phone to capture them on.

At the far end there is a door through to another room that houses reptiles and meerkats.

There is another pond that is teeming with koi carp, L loved saying hello to them all.

At the other side of the fish pond is a lovely waterfall.

Butterfly World done we headed back to the car to collect the pushchair and all our picnic food and set off for the park. The kids had a quick little play on the way through.


Then we found a beautiful spot at the top of the hill overlooked the river and hills beyond to have our picnic.

We were joined by this little guy on our picnic. If anyone knows what it is please leave me a comment.

All fed we headed down to the river to feed the ducks and swans. Poor Granny almost had a heart attack as she was sure L was going to fall in she kept getting so close. We had to keep firm hold of the back of her dress as this girl has no fear.

Despite visiting the park so many times we’ve never actually been in the museum so that was our next destination. Unfortunately it turns out it doesn’t open on Mondays (which is when we went), so we still haven’t been inside. Maybe next time.

Museum closed there was only one thing left to do. Back to the play equipment.

This huge climbing frame leads to a walkway between the trees then an enormous slide. M has been up several times before but has always needed help getting in at the top as he was never quite tall enough. This time round he managed all by himself and he was so happy.

All in all, another great day out. It was the perfect way to round off the summer holidays.

Did you have one last adventure before the schools started back?

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24 thoughts on “Having Fun at Preston Park and Butterfly World

  1. There are some really lovely butterflies there, a few I’ve not seen in other Butterfly Houses. Hope you don’t mind but I’ve emailed your bug photo to my Dad, he’ll be able to tell you what it is #CountryKids
    Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One recently posted…Project 366 2016 Week 34-36My Profile

    Posted on 10 September, 2016 at 6:56 pm
    1. Not at all, I’d really love to know. Thank you x

      Posted on 10 September, 2016 at 7:04 pm
  2. Gorgeous photos – it’s amazing to see these beautiful butterflies and get so close, I know my daughter would love it. Definitely agree about squeezing in every last trip too, if you can. #countrykids
    Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…How to choose a family cruiseMy Profile

    Posted on 10 September, 2016 at 9:58 pm
    1. Thank you. We certainly made the most of our summer x

      Posted on 10 September, 2016 at 10:07 pm
  3. I’ve been going to Preston park since I was little, hailing from Stockton. We love the museum and Victorian street. We used to walk through the woods along the river before there were houses on the other side! Butterfly world came along much later and I must confess I’ve never visited. I must take the girls next time i return home. Thanks for sharing. #kcacols

    Posted on 11 September, 2016 at 10:54 pm
    1. I’ve heard great things about the museum so really must check its open before the next trip! I can definitely recommend butterfly world, it’s small but so beautiful x

      Posted on 11 September, 2016 at 11:48 pm
  4. Sounds like a fab day out. Your little ones seemed to have a lot of fun interacting with the animals and of course playing in the play equipment. Beautiful photos too! #bigpinklink

    Posted on 12 September, 2016 at 2:38 pm
    1. Thank you, it was a lovely day out x

      Posted on 12 September, 2016 at 3:14 pm
  5. That looks so beautiful! We’ve never been to a Butterfly world..but I’m really wanting to go now! hehe The area looks divine and I love the water fall! 😀

    #KCACOLS
    ERFmama recently posted…My ovaries can’t handle it…My Profile

    Posted on 12 September, 2016 at 4:50 pm
    1. We love it there, one for all ages x

      Posted on 12 September, 2016 at 5:45 pm
  6. Aw, the museum was closed? Such a shame. It’s definitely worth re-visiting again. I’ve not been into the butterfly part, but I’d really love to. Thanks for the inspiration. #KCACOLS

    Posted on 12 September, 2016 at 9:27 pm
    1. I definitely need to do better research next time so we go when it’s actually open! I can definitely recommend butterfly world, it’s small but so beautiful x

      Posted on 12 September, 2016 at 9:46 pm
  7. looks like such a beautiful day, your photos are lovely so colourful and pretty. I love the look of the pond with the large fish. We have butterfly enclosure at our local zoo, but this looks stunning #anythinggoes

    Posted on 13 September, 2016 at 5:36 am
    1. Thank you, that’s really kind. It really is beautiful there

      Posted on 13 September, 2016 at 7:39 am
  8. Ahh this sounds like it was the perfect last summer day out. Your photos of the butterlfies are beautiful!

    We have a place near us that we go to regularly and my boys love running around the huge space there. We actually went away to the coast for a few days before my eldest went back to school so I agree you have to squeeze every last drop out of summer as you can!

    Thank you for linking up to #KCACOLS and I hope to see you back again next week. Xx
    Maria recently posted…Gifts.co.uk – review and giveawayMy Profile

    Posted on 13 September, 2016 at 4:21 pm
    1. Thank you so much x
      A few days at the coast sounds amazing, the perfect wind down before school

      Posted on 13 September, 2016 at 6:28 pm
  9. Lovely lovely photos and fun trip! I love those butterflies. They are so hard to photograph as they move around so much! My fave among your photos is the hibiscus. A flower that I played with a lot as a child!

    Thanks for sharing =) #countrykids
    Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope) recently posted…Random Photos Taken At The ParkMy Profile

    Posted on 14 September, 2016 at 10:25 am
    1. Thank you, that’s lovely of you to say. The flowers in there were stunning, but the hibiscus was my favourite x

      Posted on 14 September, 2016 at 11:37 am
  10. What beautiful butterflies! We spotted a monarch in the garden the other day! Love your photography! #TwinklyTuesday xx
    Baby Isabella recently posted…5 ways to reconnect with nature this AutumnMy Profile

    Posted on 14 September, 2016 at 11:39 am
    1. Thank you so much x

      Posted on 14 September, 2016 at 12:00 pm
  11. Gorgeous photos of the kids and the butterflies. A glorious way to spend the last day of the school hols, this will be remembered for a long time to come! #KCACOLS

    Posted on 15 September, 2016 at 1:23 pm
    1. Thank you, yes it was a great end to the holidays x

      Posted on 15 September, 2016 at 7:22 pm
  12. Gorgeous pics! I’m a huge fan of the butterflies, they’re so beautiful and seem so friendly. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. xo

    Posted on 16 September, 2016 at 9:57 pm
    1. Thank you, they are beautiful aren’t they?

      Posted on 16 September, 2016 at 10:01 pm