The Living Rainforest facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
The Living Rainforest

Date opened	1993
Location	Hampstead Norreys, Newbury, Berkshire, England
Land area	1000 square metres
Coordinates	51°28′52.69″N 1°13′14.79″W / 51.4813028°N 1.2207750°W / 51.4813028; -1.2207750
Annual visitors	95,000
Memberships	BIAZA, BGCI
Major exhibits	Amazon Aquarium, Armadillo, Bromeliads,Dwarf Caiman, Fischer's Turaco, Goeldi’s Monkeys, Orchids, Pygmy Marmosets, Snakes, Toucan, Small Islands, Sustainable Futures
Website	livingrainforest.org

The Living Rainforest is a special indoor place in Berkshire, England. It's like stepping into a real tropical rainforest! This amazing center helps people learn about nature and how important it is to protect our planet. It has three big glasshouses, each filled with plants and animals from different parts of the rainforest.

The Living Rainforest is also a great place for learning. Many schools bring their students here. About 25,000 children visit every year to learn about rainforests and the environment.

The Story of The Living Rainforest

The land where The Living Rainforest now stands used to be a nursery for beautiful orchids. It was called Wyld Court Orchids.

In 1991, two people named Keith Bromley and Barry Findon created a private rainforest here. Keith Bromley was inspired after visiting Venezuela. They wanted to show people what a rainforest was like.

This special rainforest opened to the public in April 1993. It became a visitor center where everyone could learn. In 2000, it became an independent charity called "The Living Rainforest." It is now home to over 700 different plants and animals. Many of these species are rare or endangered.

What You Can See and Do

A pathway inside the Lowlands glasshouse.

The Living Rainforest has three main glasshouses. They are connected to each other. Each glasshouse shows you a different part of a tropical rainforest.

• Amazonica and Lowlands glasshouses show you different layers of the rainforest. You can see the tall canopy (the top layer), the understory (the middle layer), and the forest floor (the ground).
• The Small Islands glasshouse focuses on life near the edge of island rainforests. This area also teaches about the problems faced by small islands around the world.

There is also a building called the Human Impact Building. It opened in 2006. This building was made using special materials and designs. It shows how buildings can be good for the environment. It uses natural air flow and sunlight to stay cool and warm.

After exploring, you can visit the gift shop or grab a snack at the cafe. There's also a fun outdoor playground with a rainforest theme. You can also enjoy a picnic in the picnic area.

Amazing Exhibits

The Living Rainforest has many cool exhibits. Here are some of them:

• Dwarf Caiman Exhibit: This exhibit opened in 2020. It is home to two male Dwarf Caiman.
• Orchid Cloud Forest Exhibit: Opened in 2020, this exhibit has over 100 different kinds of orchids. It also features other plants from Central and South America.
• Littoral Zone Project: This area was finished in 2018. It shows plants that grow near the water's edge. This includes mangrove trees.
• Bromeliads Exhibit: Introduced in 2018, this exhibit shows beautiful Bromeliads growing on a fallen tree.
• Toucan Exhibit: Rebuilt in 2018, this exhibit is home to a colorful Channel-billed toucan and an Azara's agouti.
• Sustainable Futures Exhibit: This interactive exhibit opened in 2018. It teaches about ways to help fight climate change.
• Snakes Exhibit: Rebuilt in 2017, this exhibit houses two Emerald Tree Boas, a Green tree python, and a Carpet Python.
• Small Islands Exhibit: Built in 2016, this exhibit features a Green iguana, mudskippers, and various tropical fish.
• Armadillo Exhibit: This exhibit was built in 2014. It is home to a Six-banded armadillo.
• Goeldi's Monkeys Exhibit: This exhibit was moved and rebuilt in 2014. It is home to a group of five Goeldi's Monkeys and an Azara's agouti.
• Fischer's Turaco Exhibit: Built in 2010, this exhibit is home to a pair of Fischer's turacos.

Animals You Might See

The Living Rainforest is home to many different animals. Here are some of them:

Plants You Might See

The Living Rainforest has a huge collection of tropical plants. You can see many beautiful species. Some of the highlights include:

Gallery

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  Amazonica Main Pond (North)

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  Amazonica Main Pond (East)

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  Acalypha hispida

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  Anthurium crystallinum

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  Anthurium regale

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  Alocasia calidora

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  Bromeliad exhibit

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  Home's Hinge-Back Tortoise

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  Jade Vine

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  Jade Vine

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  Yellow-knobbed Curassow

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  Blue Morpho

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  succulents in Small Islands