On the edge of the River Hamble valley country park in Hampshire is Manor farm, a working farm with loads of fun activities for the kids!
A given that a child-friendly farm would have a range of animals you can pet but Manor farm is so much more than this. It’s a working farm where the animals are milked, sheered, and erm….sold to be taken to shall we say somewhere else.
Incidentally, the restaurant does some fine local sausages! The rest of the food is also pretty nice and reasonably priced with plenty of seating both indoors and out. There are also a few places you can take a picnic.
The animals look happy and healthy and many can be petted or played with!
At the time of writing this they are building an over-winter area so the animals can be sheltered but still seen during those colder months.
There are so many little activities for the kids and is interesting for the grown ups too.
If you’re into engineering they have some old farm machinery on display including vintage tractors. History buffs can check out the old farmhouses and Victorian schoolrooms and kitchen.
There’s a blacksmith’s forge, a deer hide, cottage gardens and duck pond as well as a fantastic little adventure play park that includes a little tractor racing track!
Prices are extremely reasonable and annual passes make it the sort of thing that’s brilliant for a day out without having to worry about seeing everything in one trip. We have them so can just go any time we want!
Despite the focus on history the farm is extremely progressive with its facilities with disabled ramps nearly everywhere so almost everything is accessible.
There is also a modest but fantastic use of technology with an interactive map that can show you where to find everything.
I absolutely love our little visits to the farm and really recommend you go take a look especially if you’re in or near Hampshire.