Five Great Farm Parks A tried and tested staple in the family days out genre, ‘farm parks’ cater for so many interests, that it’s no wonder they manage to attract families back time and again. Fresh air and picnics, interactive animal encounters, a chance to run around and let off steam, lots of educational value, and not to mention the cute animal photo opportunities. The experience is never exactly the same twice. I asked some wonderful local mums to tell me all about their favourite farm park, and explain why they visit time and again. Zoë Kornfeld
Tattershall Farm Park I challenge any visitor to Tattershall Farm Park to run out of things to do. If we lived closer, we’d be there every week! Upon entry you are presented with a chalkboard offering different activities spaced out at different times during the day. You are armed with a photo of the smorgasbord of furry encounters, which have previously included goat walking, reptile holding, egg collecting, a falconry display – to name a few. During the run up to Christmas, the farm puts on a wonderfully wholesome Santa Parade and grotto visit, which we were able to enjoy during the pandemic – highlights included a snow shower, real reindeer, and a boogying Shaun the Sheep! There are so many areas that make up the farm park that we have rarely visited them all in a single day, and many of them cater for all kinds of weather: indoor hay barn, sandpit, soft play, indoor barn animals, indoor toddler play area, bouncy pillows, outdoor music making, and so many animals! The friendly, family vibe of this fabulous farm can be summed up by a sign in the toilets that urges anyone in need of any supplies such as nappies, sun cream etc to please ask a member of staff for a spare. It’s the simplest of things that make all the difference, and the attention to detail and the enthusiasm behind creating a farm that families will love, and return to again and again, have not been missed. Zoë Kornfeld
Sacrewell Farm
West Lodge Farm Park
We are very lucky and are annual members of Sacrewell, courtesy of the best Christmas present, and as a family we love this farm. It offers all-round fun, from the Playbarn soft play (currently closed due to Covid), to the animals, the history of the working mill and the new fantastic play area. Almost hidden away is a wonderfully well-thought-out nature play area, with stepping stones, streams, and a woodland area to explore risky play.
All you would expect from a farm visit and much more! Included in your entry to West Lodge Farm Park: paddocks and farm animals, outdoor adventure play park, a barrel ride, petting zoo, sheep racing, woodland walks, ride-on tractors and a session at the indoor Old Grain adventure barn (a fantastic wooden play space) You can also pay extra and include a pony ride in your visit! It is a great full day out. Since the introduction of Covid restrictions/ measures the farm have taken a lot of time and care to upgrade facilities such as toilets, one-way systems and thorough cleaning procedures. West Lodge Farm Park is a family run business and we would highly recommend a visit at Halloween, Christmas or a special event. Farmer Ed really takes special occasions to the next level! They also have great new activities coming including adventure golf. Highly recommended by the Hayward family.
Sacrewell also offers three separate local shops – Gin, Cheese and Chocolate! You can book chocolate making experiences too. To comply with Covid restrictions they have a one-way system, hand sanitisation stations throughout, and also limit the number of bookings per session. As well as visiting all the animals, the main attraction for the majority of the children is the new fantastic play area. With a variety of sections for differing abilities and ages, along with the sandpit area, we have spent many hours here happily in the outdoors – the only issue we have is trying to get the children round the animals and the mill, instead of first running straight to the play park! Megan Kearney 48
