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

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.

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

West Lodge Farm Park

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.

This special place feels like the best-kept secret! This small working farm has an intimate feel, perfect for young children. Upon entry, you first see a small gift shop with pocket money souvenirs as well as a delicious tea room offering afternoon tea (booking required) and a range of hot and cold snacks. The one-way system ensures social distancing is maintained, whilst not impacting on the experience at all. The barn houses rabbits, guinea pigs, lambs and goats which are more than happy to be stroked. Once in Children’s Corner you can feed the goats, alpacas and llamas. Wander through the garden gate to find small, furry friends and decorated trees: an ideal walk for little legs. The Highland cows and puddle ducks wave you goodbye as you complete your circuit. The park hosts a mini assault course and ride-on tractors to give little explorers a range of options. We hope you love this farm as much as we do! Michelle and Sully Finnerty

Church Farm

What can be better than the opportunity to climb into a pig pen and cuddle those cuties? Church Farm, Stow Bardolp, offers this experience and more, with many animals in enclosures that you can climb into to get up close and personal and the animals love the contact, but also have the choice to return to their space when they’re ready.

Pre booking is necessary for them to balance the numbers to ensure that social distancing doesn’t impact on your fun-filled day. The one-way systems in place flow beautifully and there are plenty of places to wash and sanitise. There’s a small gift shop and a great tea shop offering take-out service from the hatch with plenty of undercover seating.

On top of all the cuddles and stroking of pigs, goats, sheep and small furry creatures there is a fab play area that includes in-ground family trampolines, ride-on tractor courses and play equipment and a fab area for under 5s too. A massive sand pit can be found also under full cover and I’d absolutely recommend a visit to the hay barn, sooo much fun to have inside the barn.

There are socially distanced rides on the tractor and the drivers are super fun and friendly, even in the rain. We finished the day watching the pig race – please have your cheering voices ready, because you can’t help but cheer those cuties on! We love this farm and I hope if you visit you have as much fun as we do.... even my teens love visiting here. Mary Sammons

13 ACRES WITH AN OUTDOOR AND INDOOR PLAY AREA

NEW ‘Snack Hatch’serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches and oven baked jacket potatoes. The Cafe is offering a new menu of authentic Italian thin crust Pizza, Salads and Chicken Wings

Ice creams, freshly baked Belgian Waffles, Sundae Trays, and Milkshakes are available from the ‘Sweet Spot’ our pop up ice cream parlour. 7 days a week 10.00 am - 5.00pm £7.95 Under 2’s FREE £7.45 Concessions £7.45 Groups of 15 or more

WWW.TATTERSHALLFARMPARK.CO.UK

Rutland Farm Park

An 18 acre working farm in the market town of Oakham.

Delicious cakes and light bites at Daphnes Tea Rooms & farm themed toys and gifts in our shop!

Open: Tues- Sat 10.00am-5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm) Family ticket (2+2/1+3) £23 Adult (13+) £7.50 Child 3-12 £6.50 (under 3 free) Uppingham Rd Oakham LE15 6JD www.rutlandfarmpark.co.uk

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