Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Aglais urticae /(Nymphalis urticae)

Photos have been downgraded in size and quality for Internet bandwidth; copyright e-barrett

For identification of butterflies, both the top and side views are shown.
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Bright orange with a sky-blue, dotted border and tiger-striped shoulders. The tattiest Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are usually seem early in the year, as early as February, having emerged from hibernation and the freshest individuals are often late in the year (October/November) having emerged from their chrysalis to feed up for hibernation. 
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly top Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly side

 
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly side

With closed wings, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is well-camouflaged as a dead leaf.
 
 It's relative, the Large Tortoiseshell, is extinct in the UK
 
SMALL TORTOISESHELL CATERPILLAR:    
Small Tortoiseshell Caterpillar Small Tortoiseshell Caterpillars  Small Tortoiseshell Caterpillar 
Like Peacock butterfly caterpillars, Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars live their early life en masse in a silk web and feed on nettles. Both are at risk from parasitic flies/wasps.