The large transmitter hall, which once housed the transmitters of the BBC National and West Regional Programme transmitters, was converted into a tropical visitor attraction in 1989.  Inside it is very warm and humid of course with the heat being supplied from the transmitters in adjacent rooms.  All manner of species can be found including parrots and many other colourful birds, snakes, including a boa-constrictor, marmoset monkeys, lizards, fish, frogs, toads and spiders.  There is even a tarantular that visitors can handle!!

Did you know that every year a spider sheds its skin and produces a brand new fresh appearance, and that a tarantula can live up to thirty years!

Ouside are more animals including, among many others, lemurs, peacocks, ostriches, and a pair of lively and very amusing otters. 

The parrot on the left has lost its chest feathers.  She had been kept as a pet, but the owner had been unable to look after her adequately and as a result the parrot and suffered periods of loneliness.  Parrots like company and due to her boredom she picked out her feathers from the follicles, and they may never all grow back.

She is much happier now that she has been rescued by the Tropiquaria centre, both of these parrots love the attention of visitors.

Visitors can see plans of the Washford site and read a history of its development.  There is also a real Marconi transmitter on display that was once used by the BBC to transmit Radio One until 1985 from Moorside Edge site.  Additionally there is a collection of technical equipment including old BBC microphones, recording equipment and jack fields and an extensive collection of antique radio sets dating back to the 1930's.  Well worth a visit!

I left this one until last as it did not come out as I had intended.  The camera was looking slightly towards the sun and I think that this rather spoiled the shot unfortunately.