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Important message for this weekend: All visitors must prebook

The Gift Fair is taking place this weekend from Fri 5 – Sun 7 Dec.

  • To manage capacity, all visitors, including members and those who are not coming to the fair itself, are required to prebook

  • If you would like to visit The Gift Fair (visitors and members) tickets can be booked here, including gallery upgrades to see the exhibitions and grounds as well as the fair (members do not need to purchase upgrade)

  • If you are just wishing to visit the grounds and exhibitions please buy general admission tickets

Whilst the fair is on, our ground floor galleries, which includes our Naples, Northern European, Portraits and Miniatures, and The Women’s Library, as well as the Modern Masterpieces display, will be open for the fair only.
The Shelter of Stories, Commodities, Chinese and Folk Art collections, and the parkland are still available to visit.

We recommend car sharing where possible to help with the capacity of the car park.

Talks & Lectures

An Introduction to the

Butterflies and Day-Flying Moths

of Warwickshire

During the summer months, Compton Verney comes alive with butterflies and day-flying moths.

Led by butterfly expert, writer and naturalist Michael Blencowe, the course will introduce you to some of the species that make Compton Verney their home.

Prices and Information

£25 plus a valid day ticket or membership

No previous knowledge required

Please bring sturdy footwear and binoculars

Feel free to bring along any butterfly identification books you may have, though these are not needed as handouts will be provided

This course will help you to identify the butterflies of Warwickshire and tell you where to find them throughout the county. There are 38 species in Warwickshire and Compton Verney is lucky enough to have recorded 29 of these species on our site!

Led by butterfly expert, writer and naturalist Michael Blencowe, this course will start with an illustrated indoor session which will introduce you to identification skills and butterfly and moth behaviour.

After the introduction, you will head off around the grounds of Compton Verney with Michael on a guided tour looking for admirals, fritillaries, hairstreaks, and other species that make the park and woodlands their home.

About the workshop leader

Michael Blencowe has been leading wildlife events for over 15 years. He is author of Gone, The Butterflies of Sussex, and has collaborated with national treasure Julia Donaldson on The Woolley Bear Caterpillar. Michael has worked for several wildlife conservation organisations over the years including the Wildlife Trusts and Butterfly Conservation where he has helped thousands of people to explore, understand, appreciate and celebrate their amazing wildlife heritage.

His passion and wildlife knowledge has taken him all over the globe. He’s discussed Swifts on Countryfile, Swallowtails on Springwatch and herbalism in a Harry Potter documentary.

More about our wildlife guide Michael can be found at michaelblencowe.com