Butterfly and Insect World, Lasswade

Butterfly and Insect World is a fantastic place for the kids and more fun for adults than you might expect. Wandering through the various differently landscaped areas, you can actually walk amongst hundreds of gorgeous, exotic butterflies which flutter around you. There are handling sessions every day. Take the chance to peer at all kinds of tiny beasts, from lizards to scorpions and amazing leaf-cutter ants. There are regular sessions where you can handle some of these creatures, including stick insects and snakes, and there's a gift shop on site, offering lots of butterfly and insect-related things. The Bird of Prey Centre is on the same site.