Good morning, hope everyone’s doing well. Firstly, I just want to say a massive thank you to everybody who read last weeks post and the response I received, I’m glad I could raise some awareness for such a difficult subject that is very personal to me. Now, did everyone have a good week? It’s been a bit of a weird and nostalgic one in our house, as we’ve been having a spring clean, trying to get rid of things we don’t need or use anymore, we’ve also been looking at old photos and reminiscing about past memories, one of them being the last time we properly went out for the day as a whole family before my relationship ended with my sister – and it was actually August last year – we went to this farm park so my nephew could see the animals and also burn his energy at the play area that was literally situated just inside as you enter the farms grounds, it was actually a really good day, which was helped by the fact that the sun had actually come out just for that day especially! It’s been nice remembering and it actually brings me nicely to this week’s post.
Onto this week’s post… as we’re now in spring, the weather is starting to get warmer, and the sun is trying to break through a bit more each day, it’s the perfect chance to venture for days out with the kids on the weekend – especially if you’re looking for something to keep them entertained and away from all thing’s technology (even if it is just for a little bit). The UK is brimming with children’s farms and farm experiences, allowing children to get up close and personal with their favourite farm animals and to learn through activities. Have a look at the 10 best farms in the UK to visit this year!
As grown-ups, it can be easy to forget just how much fun a farm can be. Much more than open fields full of crops and farm animals, for children, a visit to a farm comes with an exciting sense of freedom and a fantastic opportunity to learn about the world around us. Kids and animals – it’s the perfect mix, right? And these fabulous farms offer so much more than just a chance to feed some goats. As well as the lambs, rabbits, chickens and more, you’ll find adventure playgrounds, tractor rides, indoor play spaces and more. So pop on your wellies, pack up a picnic and head to an adventure farm park this weekend – and discover just how much fun farms for kids can be!
Odds Farm Park – Buckinghamshire
Get ready for Farm Park Family Fun, with acres of adventures to enjoy at award-winning Odds Farm Park! Enjoy special events throughout the year, from Lamb Watch, through to the Christmas Spectacular. Meet the animals in the hands-on area! Stroke bunnies, hand feed goats & sheep, meet cheeky pigs, newborn animals & more. The daily activity programme is jam packed with animal activities & demonstrations – Piggies Tea Time, Cow Milking Demonstrations, Egg Collecting and more depending on the season! There are acres of outdoor adventures to discover, including the extensive Adventure Log Play Area, H2Odds Water Play Area, Mini Land Rovers, Tractor & Trailer Rides (Apr to Oct), Adventure Maze, Under 5’s Log Play, the Sand & Water Play Area & more! Within the Giant Indoor Play barn, you’ll find a massive adventure play area including 4 lane Astra Slide, 2 large drop slides, a netted area with zig zag chicanes & tunnels, swinging ropes & more, with special Toddler & Under 5’s areas too.
| On the Door Ticket | Weekday Term Time | Weekends Term Time |
| Adults (16-59) | £12.95 | £13.95 |
| Child (2-15) | £12.95 | £13.95 |
| Child Under 2 | FREE | FREE |
| Disabled Guest (1 free Carer) | £11.95 | £12.95 |
| Senior Citizen (60+) | £11.95 | £12.95 |
Address: Park Wooburn Common, High Wycombe, Bucks HP10 0LX
For more info on opening hours visit https://www.oddsfarm.co.uk/
Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World – Telford
Celebrating their 30th birthday, Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom has taken a huge step and relaunched as Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World. With over 100 species of animals, 15 animatronic dinosaurs and activities taking place all day Hoo Zoo really is a fun day out whatever the age. Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World launched back in 1991 as Hoo Farm Country Park and over the past 30 years has become one of the midlands premier attractions – even winning National Farm Park of the year along the way. In 2004 the farm became a licensed zoo and hasn’t looked back. Now the zoo is home to not just sheep, cows, pigs and horses but other zoo favorites such as Meerkats, Lemurs, Servals, Caracal and even Wolves. Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World is extremely passionate about conservation with a strong message throughout the zoo of conservation through education. This is put across through the fun informative meet and greets that take place but also the renowned animal experiences (advanced booking essential).
BOOK ONLINE BEFORE THE DAY OF YOUR VISIT FOR A REDUCED PRICE
| Tickets | Online Price | At The Gate |
| Adults (16-60) | £16.95 | £19.95 |
| Child (2-15) | £15.95 | £18.95 |
| Under 2 | FREE | FREE |
| Seniors (60+) | £15.45 | £18.45 |
| Family Of 4 (Any 4 People) | £64.00 | £76.00 |
| Family Of 5 | £75.00 | £90.00 |
| Carers | FREE | FREE |
| Concessions | £15.45 | £18.45 |
Address: Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World, Hoo Farm, Telford, Shropshire TF6 6DJ
For more info on opening hours visit https://www.hoo-zoo.com/
Pennywell Farm – Buckfastleigh
A visit to the multi award-winning Pennywell Farm is something you’ll never forget! Make memories that last a lifetime as you enjoy a fun-filled experience packed full of animals, hands-on activities, rides, play-time, shows and displays. It’s the biggest activity farm in the South West with a different activity happening every 30 minutes, just listen for the bell! Pennywell is home to over 150 animals and has something for everyone, from pig racing to tractor rides! Hundreds of friendly animals are waiting to meet you! From magnificent and mighty heavy horses to the teeny-tiny mice, and everything in between! Explore the farm and meet the highland cattle, lambs and goat kids, Pennywell Miniature pigs, alpacas, tortoises, the list goes on! Grab a net and dip at the Pennywell ponds to discover the wonderful wildlife that lives beneath the surface. Or, wander into some of the paddocks with miniature ponies and miniature donkeys who just love attention from visitors! Roam through the Goatarama and hand-feed the cheeky goats you might find there. Plus once the activities begin you can join in as much as you’d like! You can get involved with milking and walking goats, cheering on racing ferrets, hand-feeding the herd of Red Deer, collecting eggs from laying hens and so much more! I guarantee that you will have never experienced anything quite like the Pennywell Pig Racing phenomenon. This truly unique event is fantastic fun for all the family! Come and cheer on your favourite porker in this Snout to Snout race!
All visitors MUST book tickets in advance as numbers are limited.
| Tickets | Online Price |
| Adult | £21.95 |
| Senior (65+ years) | £19.95 |
| Student/Carer (ID required) | £19.95 |
| Child (3-15 years) | £17.95 |
| Child (1-2 years) | FREE |
| Infant (0-11 months) | FREE |
Address: Lower Dean, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0LT
For more info on opening hours visit https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/
Cotswold Farm Park – Cheltenham
Sitting in the heart of the Cotswold’s, Cotswold Farm Park has a long-standing reputation for a fun-filled day out. Visitors of all ages can interact closely with the animals and learn about farming, past and present. As the home of rare breed conservation, visitors can meet over 50 flocks and herds of farm animals, including Gloucestershire Old Spot Pigs and Highland cattle. The indoor barns can be enjoyed all year round, as they are undercover and protected from the elements. With an adventure playground, Tractor School, Sand pits and Jumping pillows, there’s lots of entertainment for children of all ages. The on-site restaurant, serving seasonal food and Adam’s own beer, is a hit with the adults. There’s plenty to offer outside the Farm Park too. Experience the stunning diversity of animals and plants by completing the two mile Wildlife walk, or extend your stay by booking a pitch on the campsite or stay in a luxury lodge.
TO ALLOW THE PARK TO MANAGE THE CAPACITY, COTSWOLD FARM ASK GUESTS TO PRE-BOOK THIER TICKETS
| April Tickets | Weekday | Weekend |
| Adult | £12.50 | £13.50 |
| Senior (60+ years) | £11.50 | £12.50 |
| Child (4-15 years) | £10.50 | £11.50 |
| Toddler (2-3 years) | £6.50 | £10.50 |
| Infant (0-1 years) | FREE | FREE |
| Carer (ID required) | FREE | FREE |
Address: Cotswold Farm Park Limited, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5FL
For more info on opening hours visit https://cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk/
Cannon Hall Farm – Barnsley
Cannon Hall Farm is a large, family run farm attraction. Sitting in the rolling Pennine foothills, it’s home to hundreds of animals, waiting to welcome you to a world of animal magic. Home to one of the biggest and best equipped playgrounds in the north of England and the largest tube maze in Europe our adventure playground is one of the biggest and best in the north of England. The farm shop is famous for home produced beef, pork, lamb and a huge variety of sausages. Our on site bakery produces award winning pies and delicious artisan bread every morning. The tearoom serves delicious home cooked food. The Hungry Llama indoor play and restaurant adds a great indoor option with some dramatic slides and innovative play features to a day that’s already packed with fun.
ALL TICKETS MUST BE PREBOOKED!
| Tickets | Weekday | Weekend |
| Adults | £11.95 | £11.95 |
| Children (2+ years) | £11.95 | £11.95 |
| Under 2 | FREE | FREE |
| Carers (ID required) | FREE | FREE |
Address: Cannon Hall Farm, Bark House Ln, Cawthorne, Barnsley S75 4AT
For more info on opening hours visit https://www.cannonhallfarm.co.uk/
Matlock Farm Park – Derbyshire
Matlock Farm Park is a family friendly attraction, providing a great day out with varied activities for all the family. The park has a large selection of animals to see including llamas, goats, peacocks, meerkats, chickens, pigs, alpacas, ducks and deer to name a few. Daily activities include Small Animal Handling, Meet the Lambs (seasonal) Wallaby Encounter and Meerkat Talk & Feed. At weekends and school holidays there’s also Pony Rides, Ferret and sheep racing too! Check out the website for special events. There are specially designed playgrounds indoors and out. There’s even a go-cart track for the kids and many places for the adults to relax if they wish. Group party bookings and fantastic children’s birthday parties are also catered for, please ring for details. There is a licensed café serving hot food and several food outlets, classrooms and a gift shop. They are fully accessible! Horse Riding Lessons and Pony Trekking are also available with prior booking. Open all year round.
| Tickets | Weekdays | Weekend |
| Adult | £14.95 | £16.50 |
| Child (2-16 years) | £12.95 | £14.50 |
| Concessions | £12.95 | £14.50 |
| Under 2’s | FREE | FREE |
An under 2 is free with a paying accompanying adult.*
Address: Jaggers Lane, Matlock DE4 5LH
For more info on opening hours visit https://matlockfarmpark.co.uk/
Rand Farm Park – Lincoln
Rand Farm Park opened in 1996 to offer a good-value-for-money, fun but educational day out for visitors of all ages whatever the weather. Now one of the county’s leading attractions, Rand Farm Park continues to offer a wide range of farm animals and pets to hold, touch, feed and cuddle. Alongside the traditional farm is a huge range of other activities to enjoy and keep the kids entertained including:
- An Indoor Family Playbarn with designated toddler area
- Astraslide and air cannons
- Outdoor adventure playground with full-size trampolines
- Pedal go-kart track and tractor rides around the fields
- Summertime sledges, water wars and other seasonal play equipment
- Animal demonstrations
- Character days
Rand Farm Park also host annual camping weekends – giving visitors the chance to adventure to the picturesque Lincolnshire countryside for a weekend experience like no other. Taking place on selected dates during the summer holidays, guests can pitch a tent within the park grounds and enjoy weekend admission to the Farm Park. The camping package also includes unique animal-based experiences, exclusive out-of-hours play and evening activities under the undisturbed, countryside night sky.
| Tickets | Prices |
| Adult | from £7.50 to £13.95 |
| Child (2+ years) | from £7.50 to £16.95 |
| 1 Year Old | from £3.50 to £4.50 |
| Babies | FREE |
Address: Rand Farm Park,Rand, Lincoln, LN8 5NJ
For more info on opening hours visit https://randfarmpark.com/
Stonebridge City Farm – Nottingham
Stonebridge City Farm is a small slice of the countryside in the heart of the City of Nottingham! Open throughout the year and accessible to all, our Farm offers everyone the chance to get up close to our animals with feeding and small animal handling. You can take a walk on the wild side through our gardens and wildlife areas. Finish off your visit with cakes and meals created from our own or locally sourced ingredients. Our Farm takes pride in providing placement and volunteering opportunities for those experiencing difficulties including mental and physical, and learning disabilities. Visit The Barn where they keep all their small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs, then wander on and have a look around The Paddocks where the larger animals such as sheep, goats, ponies and cows hang out in the day. They also have a large play area for your little ones to enjoy. You can see the playground as soon you arrive on the farm. This really is a great area for children to play outside and let off steam, and for families to socialise and enjoy a snack or meal from our café or a picnic.
The farm is free to enter however our suggested donations are £3 per adult and £2 per child
Address: Stonebridge City Farm, Stonebridge Road, Nottingham, NG3 2FR
For more info on opening hours visit https://stonebridgecityfarm.com/
Old MacDonald’s Farm – Essex
There’s so much fun to be had at Old MacDonald’s Farm & Fun Park, whatever the weather. The farm is packed with family rides & amusements & are always adding something new. So go and have some fun 🙂 Rides include: Doggy Dog roller coaster, Tractor rides, Giant slides, sand pits, crazy barn, Pony adventures ride & more!!! They’ve got two indoor soft play areas your kids can have fun in, while you can grab yourself a cuppa and something to nibble on. They also have lots of outdoor play areas to keep them entertained. They have over 30 different species of animals including; meerkats, pigs, wallabies, rabbits, ponies, cows, sheep, horses, reindeer, alpacas, donkey. You can also see their wonderful Annie the European Eagle Owl & many more!!! On the outskirts of Brentwood, they are conveniently located just off the Jct. 28 of the M25, within easy reach of all of Essex, East London, Hertfordshire & Kent. Old MacDonald’s Farm is a Visitor assured accredited & an award winning attraction.
| Ticket | On The Door | Online |
| Adult (16+) | Weekday – £17.50 Weekend – £19.50 | Weekday – £16.50 Weekend – £18.50 |
| Child 2 -15 yrs | Weekday – £16.50 Weekend – £18.50 | Weekday – £15.50 Weekend – £17.50 |
| Under 2 years | Weekday – FREE Weekend – FREE | Weekday – FREE Weekend – FREE |
| Seniors (+65) | Weekday – £15.50 Weekend – £17.50 | Weekday – £14.50 Weekend – £16.50 |
| Visitors with access needs – Adult (16+) | Weekday – £12.00 Weekend – £12.00 | Weekday – £11.00 Weekend – £11.00 |
| Visitors with access needs – Child 2 -15 yrs | Weekday – £11.75 Weekend – £11.75 | Weekday – £10.75 Weekend – £10.75 |
| Visitors with access needs – Carer | Weekday – £11.50 Weekend – £11.50 | Weekday – £10.50 Weekend – £10.50 |
Address: Old MacDonald’s Farm, Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY
For more info on opening hours visit https://www.omdfarm.co.uk/
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park – Bristol
Avon Valley offers a great value day out for the whole family during school holidays and selected weekend. More than your average farm park we fill your days with fun, entertainment and big events. Within the beautiful riverside location you can meet interesting and friendly animals and enjoy hands-on interactive animal sessions. Experience off road adventure with 4 x 4 Mini Jeep Safari. Explore the large adventure play equipment and climbing wall or jump on massive air pillows. Get back to nature with their one-and-a-quarter-mile nature trail walk with a children’s assault course. Feel prehistoric with a collection of interactive dinosaurs. Ride the Strawberry Line miniature railway, play mini golf, race go-carts or go boating in the Summer. Last but certainly not least the entertainment team will engage and entertain you. Avon Valley love events so check out their website for what is coming up. They also offer camping and glamping experiences with bolt on watersports.
| Tickets | Standard Day Prices |
| Adult | £14.95 |
| Child (2yrs – 16yrs) | £14.95 |
| Toddler (Under 2 years old and walking) | £9.95 |
| Babes in Arms | FREE |
| Registered Carer assisting full paying disabled guest | £8.75 |
Address: Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1TP
For more info on opening hours visit https://avonvalley.co.uk/
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading today’s post, I hope you all have a lovely week and I shall see you next Wednesday! 😄
Peytons View 