The Living Rainforest is an important attraction where sustainability of the environment is key. It supports the 'Trust for Sustainable Living' and operates this rainforest habitat under glass as a place to demonstrate the importance of rainforest flora and fauna to people in England.
Information is compiled by us from the attraction's leaflet and website:
The Living Rainforest is home to 700 species of plants and animals. There are birds, lizards and butterflies roaming free in the tropical glasshouses. Some of the world’s most popular foods are grown here, from bananas to coffee, cocoa and ginger as well as plants that have changed the way we live today. Plus there are monkeys, a crocodile and much more.
The Living Rainforest is fully wheelchair accessible. The centre is family and baby friendly, with nappy-changing and bottle warming facilities available.
There is a shop with rainforest-themed gifts and educational toys and games, a cafe serving a range of snacks and drinks, including rainforest-friendly ground coffee, an outside picnic area with a jungle feel and free parking with coaches welcome.
Quoted from the website: (
visit link)
'Some of the best exhibits include the Giant Waterlily with colossal leaves reaching up to 2.6m (8' 6") across floating on the pond during summer. Late Summer is the best time to spot the 30cm (12") white and pink blooms.
A West African dwarf crocodile called ‘Courtney’ basks on her island while she lies in wait for unsuspecting prey. The smallest of all crocodiles, this species stalks fish and birds, small animals such as rodents, and even crabs in the wild.
Endangered Goeldi’s monkeys leap from branch to branch, using their well-adapted tails to help balance. The colony of monkeys fascinate with the variety of different calls.
Well marked trails let you get close to the plants and animals of the rainforest.
You can also find familiar houseplants, such as the deadly dumb cane and the Swiss cheese plant, growing to enormous proportions in the hot, steamy atmosphere.
Beautiful orchids cling to the trunks of trees year-round, while metre-long turquoise flower spikes belonging to the endangered jade vine hang overhead during late Spring or early Summer. Some visitors are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of the basilisk (or ‘Jesus Christ’) lizards running across water from one lily pad to the next.
An emerald tree boa and meat-eating pitcher plants lie in wait for prey. If the salmon pink bird-eating spider, jungle carpet python and imperial scorpion are simply too much to take, alternative routes are available!
Dazzling butterflies take to the air on sunny days, while brightly coloured African turacos and numerous other tropical birds fly freely around the rainforest. Roul-roul partridges and bronze-winged pigeons inhabit the undergrowth and are often seen venturing across the rainforest paths.'