FANCY an escape from the gloomy winter weather?

Spring may be on its way, but before it arrives there is place where you can escape the chill, savour the brightness and colour without stepping foot on a plane.

Located within Roundhay Park on the outskirts of Leeds, Tropical World is one of the UK's most popular garden tourist attractions.

As well as being home to the largest collection of tropical plants outside Kew Gardens, Tropical World provides a great family day out.

There are cute meerkats within a desert-like area alongside spiky cacti, plants synonymous with this type of warm and dry atmosphere.

Visitors can also savour the warmer humidity while mingling with the beautiful and colourful butterflies fluttering overhead. There are apparently between 20 and 30 species of butterflies here including the rarer owl butterflies which can grow up to 20cm.

I fondly recall on a previous visit one landing on the handrail as we made our way along the path, much to the delight of our young daughter.

It was so close we could touch it. Reluctantly we didn't through fear it would take flight and, instead, stood mesmerised at its intricately coloured wing span. 

That was our introduction to Tropical World, one we will never forget, but there are many other interesting characters too.

Leaf cutter ants are among the amazing creatures introduced following Tropical World's refurbishment. 

Vibrantly coloured Madagascan giant day geckos; purple bodied vampire crabs with yellow eyes; the more unusual red bodied Tomato frogs and a pink toe tarantula are just some of the unusual inhabitants to settle into their new home here.

Young visitors can check out the residents of Creature Corner and see the slippery snakes and spiders, lizards and iguanas. Cloaked in darkness, you can spot the bats hanging upside down concealed within their wings.

Peering into the Aztec-themed aquarium, visitors can meet all manner of aquatic life.

The rainforest canopy gives a bird's eye view of the inhabitants living below, among them the critically endangered cotton-top monkey - apparently only 6,000 of them remain in the wild.

Underwater viewing windows and an elevated viewing platform by the popular waterfall, has afforded visitors a greater vantage of the two river monsters beneath, the arapaima and red tail catfish.

Visitors can also see the dwarf caiman crocodile. Originally found in the warmer climes of South Africa, adults typically reach five to six kilograms.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Tropical World is in Princes Avenue, Roundhay Park, Leeds, LS8 2ER.

Winter opening times are from 10am to 4pm (last admission at 3.30pm); and from 10am to 6pm in summer (last admission is 5.30pm).

Visitors can book tickets at www.tropicalworldleeds.co.uk. Admission is free for the under fives.

For more information visit tropicalworldleeds.co.uk or call 0113 237 0754.