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.
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. With play areas, bumper boats, feeding experiences, and an all-around fun day out for the family, here are CrossCountry's picks for the best farm days out in the UK.
Good Day Out Farm, Powys
Nestled in the Brecon Beacons in Wales, you can find the Good Day Out farm, specialising in amazing farm experiences for families to enjoy. With pig-nics and sheep trekking on offer, where you can get up close and personal with your little ones' favourite farm animals, Good Day Out really does what it says on the tin! Enjoy the scenic Welsh landscape and friendly farm animals, all hosted by a fantastic team. If you're looking for a family farm day out with a difference, look no further!
Dairyland Farm World, Cornwall
Dairyland Farm World located in Newquay, is one of the UK’s best children’s farms for all weather. Along with plenty of farm animals to meet and greet, you can enjoy a huge indoor play centre, the cow milking parlour, museum, and farm café. So much of the farm is under cover, making it the perfect family farm all year round. When it’s sunny, be sure to take advantage of the outdoor slides and nature trail. The petting and feeding zones are always a hit with the kids, while the pony ride offers a unique experience – if they’re brave enough.
Pennywell Farm, Devon
Located between Plymouth and Exeter, Pennywell Farm is one of Devon's best days out with kids. If your little ones love pigs, this is the number one place to take them. It’s home to adorable piglets they can cuddle up with, and even hosts hog-themed events like pig racing. Other animal activities like goat walking, egg collecting, lamb feeding, and ferret racing make Pennywell one of the best children’s farms in the UK and one of Devon's best family attractions.
Fairytale Farm, Oxfordshire
Fairytale Farm in Oxfordshire is a unique farm day out. Inspired by their daughter with cerebral palsy, the park’s founders created an accessible adventure park with a magical theme. The result is a children’s farm unlike any other. Divided into three zones – Huff and Puff, Enchanted Walk and Alfie and Friends – Fairytale is a sensory experience for kids with learning or physical disabilities, where they can play, meet animals, and have fun safely. With plenty of opportunities to meet their animals, too, this is any kids' dream farm day!
Cotswold Farm Park, Gloucestershire
Cotswold Farm Park, not far from Gloucester, began life as a family business to protect rare animals. Today it’s one of the best children’s farm parks in the UK, with over 50 animals and a host of activities. With many rare breeds of British farm animals to meet and greet, as well as educational experiences and adventurous play areas, there is plenty to entertain your kids. Discover cute and fluffy sheep, rabbits, and chicks for the kids to pet and feed. The Adventure Barn is home to zip wires, a huge sandpit, and ride-on JCBs to get any last wiggles out of your kids' system before heading home.
Baylham House, Suffolk
Baylham House is a small livestock farm specialising in British species that have become rare in their native habitats. It allows children to get close to breeds of goats, pigs, and rabbits that may become more rare in the future and encourages them to engage in environmental conservation. Visit during the Easter holidays for a treasure trove of themed activities, when there will also be the chance to see newborn lambs. Pooh sticks on the stream, and a den building area makes Baylham House one of the best family farm days out in the UK.
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, Bristol
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park is situated in the stunning Avon Valley near Bristol, with 50 acres of dedicated parkland containing hours of family fun. Children can see pigs, goats, and donkeys, as well as more unusual animals like alpacas, hawks, and wallabies. The park contains the longest miniature railway in the West - for all those railway fans - while several play areas, a go-kart track, quad bikes, and a river obstacle course make this one of the UK’s best children’s farms.
Matlock Farm Park, Derbyshire
If you're looking for a farm big enough to occupy your family all day long, then you have to visit Matlock Farm Park in Derbyshire. This working farm spans a whopping 600 acres, complete with red deer, goats, peacocks, and llamas. Daily talks give the kids (and parents) fascinating information about all the favourite farm animals, as well as lesser-known creatures like meerkats. Horse rides, a go-kart track, and play areas offer children hours of fun.
The Big Sheep, Devon
Not only is The Big Sheep one of the best farm parks in Devon, but it’s also one of the country’s top attractions. Combining an adrenaline-filled theme park with a family farm, it's no wonder the Big Sheep is so popular with families of all ages. Devon’s largest rollercoaster, a huge indoor playground, laser tag, and climbing walls offer endless fun while lambs, chicks, and bunnies still make it feel like the farm day out you’re looking for.
If you’re planning on visiting the best farm days out in the UK, don’t forget to book an Advance ticket via our website or the CrossCountry app. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
The UK is bursting with fun activities. Whether you’re visiting one of the best historical places in the UK, the best forests in the UK, or the best cinemas in the UK, you can always travel by train. CrossCountry has services running up and down the country to ensure you can get to the places you need to be.
Written by Julia