FAQs

We feed all the otters and give visitors an informative talk about the Otter Sanctuary at 11.30am, 2pm and 4pm. These are the best times to see and enjoy the otters.

The Butterfly Farm, Otter Sanctuary and Gift shop are open daily from 10am to 5pm between April and November.

Between November and March it is the otters only to see while the butterfly house overwinters. During this time opening hours are 10am to 3pm daily.

We are closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Please check before travelling as our winter hours are subject to change.

 We do not have a cash point on site, the nearest to be found is in the town about a 10 minute walk away.

We accept all major debit and credit cards other than American Express. There is no charge for their use.

Our Butterflies fly best on bright sunny days.

We are wheelchair friendly but please be aware there are gravel pathways and some of the otter enclosures are too high to see over while seated. We allow a helper to accompany a wheelchair user free of charge to help if required.

Please do not touch or hold the butterflies, they are very delicate and doing so could result in damaging their delicate bodies or wings.

We want our otters to have the most natural life they can at our Sanctuary so for their wellbeing we do not hold or touch them. Otters can also be dangerous and have a very nasty bite. So there is strictly no touching allowed for visitors.

We do offer a Otter Exerience or a feeding Experience if you wanted to get a little closer
https://ottersandbutterflies-giftshop.co.uk/products/the-otter-experience-at-the-dartmoor-otter-sanctuary?srsltid=AfmBOoqu4l3QWjRbB98KvkCtkAQIMxVYaLp3bDBW7nI1TENYcFdA0nI9

We regret dogs are not permitted. The very hot, humid butterfly house is totally unsuitable for all dogs who get very distressed in a very short time. Also in the otter areas, the presence of dogs can cause upset and stress in our resident otter groups and there is a potential risk of infectious diseases to our animals carried in by dogs. 
However we have a large car park with shady areas (come early) and a lovely walk beside the river Dart where your dog can run and swim.
Your ticket allows re-entry throughout the day giving you the opportunity to leave someone with your dog at all times while it remains outside. 

 Otter adoption is a great way to support the Sanctuary, to learn more check out the adoption web page.
https://ottersandbutterflies-giftshop.co.uk/collections/adopt-an-otter

We offer a 'Big Kid' discount for customers aged 60 and over.

Yes we offer a £1discount from our adult admission price. If you are a student, please bring along your student card.

If you are a guest with a disability and can provide a form of ID from a blue badge, PIP or DLA letter on the day of your visit, then you will be permitted one carer entry free of charge with your full price ticket.

Yes we offer half price admission with a valid ID. 

Outside our building there is a small childrens play area with picnic areas.

Remember you can come and go from our building as often as you like throughout the day.

Please see our Plan Your Visit page to find google maps and what3words links.
https://ottersandbutterflies.co.uk/pages/contact-us

Yes we have a large car park  that is free for you to use all  day.

There are lots of places to picnic outside . We have a cafe adjacent to the South Devon Railway booking office.. There is also a kiosk in the car park during the summer season selling snacks and ice cream etc.

https://www.birdieskitchen.co.uk/

There all small toilets in our building but for disabled and baby changing facilities these are located in the cafe or on the platfrom of the South Devon Railway, just a short walk away.
Dont worry you can come and go from our building as often as you like for the day.

There are picnic benches around othe Otter Sanctuary, there are also  picnic areas outside our building and beside the river Dart on the Riverside Walk.

 Your ticket allows you entrance in and out of our building for the day.

We share the site with the South Devon Railway and Birdies Kitchen. 

There are award winning gardens and grounds to explore, a riverside walk where you may be lucky enough to see a wild otter and a small childrens play area.

You can make yourself at home and come and go from all areas on site as you wish for they day.

https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/
https://www.birdieskitchen.co.uk/