9
ARTS, CULTURE & TOURISM
Parc Tawe Retail Park,
Swansea, SA1 2AL
01792 474555
PLANTASIA
Plantasia exhibits a wide
range of tropical plants as
well as insects, reptiles and
fish. Its glasshouse contains
two climate zones: tropical
with a rainforest and arid. The
collection includes over 5,000
plants, many of which are
extinct from their natural habitat.
Plant types include bananas,
coconuts, giant bamboo, paw
paw and collections of ferns
and cacti. Along with the plants,
there is supporting life including
crested geckos, tarantulas, red-
bellied piranha, koi carp, green-
winged macaws, parakeets,
lorikeets, chameleons, bearded
dragons and a Burmese python.
Additionally, Plantasia houses
critically endangered cotton-
top tamarins and a critically
endangered
Kleinmann’s
tortoise. In 2011 Plantasia
added the Rainforest Hut to
its exhibits. The hut was built
using the same basic principles
used by forest tribes, and
with forest materials such as
bamboo, palm leaves and clay
and shows how rainforest tribes
live in harmony with nature.
On a domestic note, Plantasia
was used as a filming location
for Doctor Who episodes “The
Doctor’s Daughter” and “Cold
Blood”. Come and explore
this unique tropical haven of
wonderful plants and animals
at Plantasia and get inspired.
