A visit to a farm is a fun day out for all ages, and can offer a peaceful break from life in a busy city. From feeding or milking the animals, to exploring the fields or picking up some fresh produce from the farm shop, there are plenty of good reasons to visit a farm for the day. There are many to choose from in the UK, from small independent farms, to larger ‘zoo farm’ style attractions with exotic animals and indoor play areas. There’s bound to a farm within travelling distance wherever you live, but if you’re looking for some inspiration, see our roundup below for some of the best farms to visit in the UK.
Odds Farm Park, Buckinghamshire
Odds Farm features a packed programme of daily activities (some depending on the season), including milking cows, bottle feeding goats, egg collecting, tractor and trailer rides and much more. There’s also a wide range of indoor and outdoor play equipment, so there’s plenty of fun to be had, whatever the weather.
Fairytale Farm, Oxfordshire
This inclusive farm is designed especially with special needs or disabled children in mind, offering different zones for both disabled and non-disabled families to enjoy equally. Highlights include the sensory Enchanted Walk with music, light fountains and much more, plus adventure playgrounds and animals including miniature Shetland ponies, alpacas, pigs and goats.
Mudchute Farm, London
There are even farms for residents in the heart of the capital, with Mudchute Farm offering a welcome 32 acres of green space in the middle of the East End. Mudchute functions as a working farm, as well as offering a petting zoo, equestrian centre, rare-breed sheep, llamas, ponies and more. Visitors can also join in with regular craft activities, dog agility lessons and local produce served in the farm cafe.
Good Day Out, Powys
Technically not just one farm, this company raises money for local causes by offering a range of outdoor experiences, from walking sheep around the Brecon Beacons, to finding out how to care for hedgehogs, or see sheep dogs in action and learn more about their training methods. There are local farms to visit depending on the activity you pick, and plenty of nearby cottages and Air B and B’s if you want to incorporate a holiday.
Mabie Farm Park, Dumfries
Set within 77 hectares of land, there’s plenty to explore at Mabie Farm, including Highland, Jersey and Shetland cows, indoor and outdoor play areas, tractor rides, an aviary and even some water buffalo! Children can also interact with small animals in the Pet Barn, or swing around straw bales on ropes in the Straw Barn area.
The vast majority of farms function as working farms; producing crops or other animal products like milk, cheese and butter for businesses and restaurants. If you’re looking for the freshest milk, dairy and wholesale products across the UK, get in touch with Freshways. We’re proud to be the UK’s largest independent processing dairy, and all our milk comes from cows farmed in the UK. For more information about our products or to place an order, give us a call or visit the website today.