Devon Moths by Andre Daniel (Moth Man)

Andre Daniel's moth collection in Devon is one of those places that shouldn't work as well as it does. You walk in expecting taxidermy displays and dusty cases, but instead you find yourself face-to-face with some genuinely spectacular specimens - wings spread, colours intact, each one pinned with the kind of care that tells you someone's spent decades getting obsessed about Lepidoptera. The sheer variety is what gets you: pale beauties next to deep burgundy numbers, some with eyespots so vivid they look painted on. It's the sort of thing that makes you realise how much you've walked past in your own garden without actually seeing it.

Anyone who fancies themselves a naturalist will be properly absorbed here. If you've got kids old enough to care about wildlife rather than just running about, they'll find it genuinely interesting - moths aren't scary once you see them properly displayed like this. The "Moth Man" nickname is well-earned; Daniel clearly knows what he's talking about, and his enthusiasm comes through in how the collection's arranged.

Based near Plymouth, it slots nicely into a Devon break if you're staying at Hidden Hill or Dartmoor Domes and fancy something a bit different. You won't need hours - 45 minutes to an hour covers it properly without feeling rushed. Worth the detour if you're into natural history or just want a quiet afternoon indoors. Check ahead for opening times and admission fees before you head over.