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Canterbury Oast Trust

Visit COT’s Rare Breeds Centre part of our Life Skills programmes.

Storytime and Crafts with Tom Delahunt

We are delighted to annouce that Tom Delahunt is returning to the farm, for a series of enchanting storytelling and craft sessions!

He will be on the farm

  • Tuesday 4th August
  • Tuesday 18th August
  • Tuesday 25th August
Tom will be hosting storytelling sessions at 10:45am and 12:45pm on each of these dates, bringing his wonderful stories to life for young visitors and their families.
Between and after the storytelling sessions, children can also enjoy drop-in arts and crafts activities in the Discovery Zone, offering plenty of opportunities to get creative and make something special to take home.

Farmyard Frights and Trick or Treat Delights

Join us this Halloween for heaps of spooky fun, silly suprises and fang-tastic activities for all ages!

Effel Fartwaffer is back once again, bringing plenty of Halloween fun and mischief to the farm for another spooktacular event.

All our activities will be running everyday from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November

Trick or Treat Trail

Children can join Effel Fartwaffer on a fun-filled Halloween trail around the farm. Young adventurers will visit six themed stations, receiving either a trick or a treat at each stop along the way.

Packed with surprises, interactive encounters, and plenty of Halloween magic, this exciting experience will take place at 10:30am, 11:30am and 12:30pm, and will last approximately 45 minutes.

Be sure to pick up your trick-or-treat bucket from the Gift Shop before you begin. Fill it with treats along the way and take it home with you at the end of the day!

This activity is available for an additional fee of £3.50 per child and must be booked in advance of your visit.

Interactive UV Disco

Join Effel Fartwaffer and friends for an interactive UV Spooky Disco in the Cattle Barn at 2:30pm.

Featuring Halloween-themed music and UV lighting this family-friendly activity gives children the chance to dance, have fun and enjoy some light-hearted spooky entertainment as part of their day at the farm.

Effel’s Picture House of Flix and Fun

Be sure to stop by Effel’s Picture House to see her on the big screen. This will be running from 10am – 4:30pm in the Discovery Zone with popcorn available to purchase in the Gift Shop. Don’t miss out on this spooky screening!

Paint a Pumpkin

Get creative with our Paint a Pumpkin activity at the Eco Hut in the Discovery Garden, running from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Choose your pumpkin, decorate it with your own unique design, and take home your masterpiece.

Pumpkins are £1 each, with tokens available to purchase from the Gift Shop to exchange for your pumpkin.

Other activities that will be running everyday include:

Activity
Time
Location
Pumpkin Passport All day Collect from the Gift Shop
Halloween photo booth All day Main Paddock
Face painting (Additional fee applies) All day Face Painting Hut opposite The Discovery Zone
Frightfully Fun Sensory Play Stations 10am – 3pm Under the gazebo opposite The Discovery Zone
Spooky Straw Bale Maze 10am – 5pm Main Paddock
Tractor Rides 11am – 4pm Tractor roundabout
Pig feeding 11:30am Stable Yard
Goat feeding 2pm Main Paddock
Pig race 3:15pm Pig race track
The farm will be decorated for Halloween with spooky decorations across the site, creating the perfect setting for a frightfully fun day out.

Our Granary Restaurant will also be open from 10am to 4pm, with last orders for hot food at 3:30pm and The Cabin will be open 10am till 3pm. Be sure to stop by and enjoy some deliciously spooky treats during your visit!

A Truly Magical Christmas

Step into the magic of Christmas at the Rare Breeds Centre and make memories to treasure all season long!

Meet Father Christmas and his cheerful team of elves

Our festive celebrations on the farm, begin on Saturday 28th November and run every weekend right up to Christmas. The magic continues from Saturday 19th December to Wednesday 23rd December, giving families plenty of chances to squeeze in those final, truly special visits before the big day.

Rare Breeds Christmas: a farm full of festive cheer

As December approaches, Santa’s elves arrive early to sprinkle their festive magic across the farm. Twinkling lights, cosy decorations and seasonal cheer transform every corner into a sparkling winter wonderland filled with warmth, wonder and excitement.

Children's barn at Christmas
Picture of children playing in eco-friendly fake snow on the farm at Christmas
Picture of chidren petting a rabbit in the Childrens Barn at Christmas

Enjoy our brand new winter wonderland walkthrough and Christmas show!

Your festive adventure begins as a cheerful elf greets you and leads you down our enchanting winter wonderland walkway. At the end of the journey, little ones can test their aim with some festive fabric snowball throwing before stepping into our Cattle Barn, beautifully transformed into a glittering Christmas haven.

Families can then relax and enjoy a heart-warming festive show starring Father Christmas, his joyful team of elves, and a delightful craft activity where children can create a special Christmas keepsake. Each child will also receive a beautiful gift from Santa himself, a truly magical moment to remember.

Don’t forget to visit the Children’s Barn, which will be dressed to impress with glowing lights and a stunning Christmas tree, the perfect backdrop for festive photos and magical moments together.

 

Girl with a purple cow in snowy field
A shetland pony at Christmas on the farm

Enjoy festive treats in our Granary Restaurant

Make sure to visit our Granary Restaurant, for a festive treat, with homemade Christmas themed cakes, a delicious selection of Costa Coffee winter drinks and more!

There will be plenty of extra activities happening throughout the Christmas season, with more festive surprises still to be announced. Be sure to check back soon to see what’s in store!

Picture of snowman with red scarf and top hat
Picture of Christmas drinks in the restaurant
Christmas in the Granary Restaurant

SEN Christmas show sessions available too

We are also offering several SEN-friendly Christmas show sessions, designed to provide a more relaxed experience. These sessions have fewer visitors and a quieter atmosphere, making them ideal for those who may benefit from a calmer environment. For guests who may find the winter wonderland walkthrough overwhelming, calmer alternative routes to the show seating area are available.

Tickets are on sale now!

Be an early bird and book your tickets now! You can now book your tickets for both our standard and SEN grotto sessions. Don’t miss out on a truly magical Christmas experience at the farm!

Stormtroopers meet and greet

Get ready for a day full of fun as the Stormtroopers visit the farm for special meet and greets at intervals throughout the day. It’s the perfect chance to say hello to your favourite characters, take photos and make magical memories!

To make Father’s Day even more memorable, we’re delighted to offer one complimentary parent or carer day ticket for every group booking with at least one paid adult or child ticket. It’s our way of helping you celebrate the incredible dads and carers in your life. Simply use the code FATHERSDAY26 at checkout to unlock your exclusive discount. Please note, this offer is valid for one adult per group and only for bookings made for Father’s Day itself.

You can enjoy extra activities running throughout the day. Families can also take part in our fun farm trail, guiding you around the farm as you explore and discover new surprises along the way.

And that’s not all, our face painter will be on hand, ready to transform children (and grown‑ups!) into their favourite characters.

It’s the perfect day out for dads, families, and little adventurers. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Woolly weekend

A baa-rilliant weekend full of fun!

Join us for a brilliant bank holiday weekend packed with  fun for all ages.

Woolly weekend market

Don’t forget to pop by our Woolly Weekend Outdoor Market! With a fantastic variety of stallholders across the weekend, you’ll discover handcrafted goods, delicious food, and so much more.
More information on the weekends events coming soon

Pukka Putters at the Rare Breeds Centre this August!

Pukka Putters is coming to the Rare Breeds Centre this August!

Pukka Putters is the UK’s only self contained, walk in mini golf course built entirely inside a lorry! You don’t just play mini golf you step into a themed jungle world on wheels!

The course was originally created by The Professional Idiots and featured in their viral build videos. What began as a mad creative project has evolved into one of the most unique mobile attractions touring the UK.

Tickets for Pukka Putters are on sale now! Book today, so you don’t miss out!

Pukka Putters at the Rare Breeds Centre this May!

Pukka Putters is coming to the Rare Breeds Centre this May!

Pukka Putters is the UK’s only self contained, walk in mini golf course built entirely inside a lorry! You don’t just play mini golf you step into a themed jungle world on wheels!

The course was originally created by The Professional Idiots and featured in their viral build videos. What began as a mad creative project has evolved into one of the most unique mobile attractions touring the UK.

Tickets for Pukka Putters are on sale now! Book today so you don’t miss out!

Dog and Duck show

As part of our May Half Term events, we are welcoming Stuart Barnes and his highly popular Dog and Duck show, to the Rare Breeds Centre!

In the show, talented rescue dogs team up as a coordinated pack, showcasing their incredible communication skills as they herd a flock

As a Dog Behaviourist, Stuart loves showing that even untrained dogs still carry incredible natural instincts. And help his audiences understand domesticated animals and their behaviours, all in a humourous Kiwi Style.

There will be two shows in our Main Paddock with the first at 11:30am and the second at 1:30pm with each show lasting about 30 minutes.

Whilst you are here, make sure to explore all the activities running for our Mystical Magical May week too and check out Pukka Putters, who will be here from Friday 15th till Sunday 31st May!

Mucky Fun Fridays with Siana

Join our Messy Play Sessions!

Join us every Friday during term time at 11:30 am till 12:30 pm for a messy play session with Siana. Bring your creativity, and probably a change of clothes or an apron for your little ones, because things are about to get delightfully messy!

  • Location: Discovery Zone
  • Cost: Included with your entry fee
  • Booking: No need to book in advance 

Siana’s Stories, Signs and Songs

Stories, Signs and Songs with Siana

Join us every Wednesday during term time at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm for an enchanting storytelling, singing and signing adventure with our expert storyteller, Siana. Each session includes storytelling, singing and Makaton signing.

Each week, Siana selects three delightful stories from a diverse range of books, ensuring a fresh and exciting experience every time!

  • Location: Discovery Zone
  • Ideal for: Children under 5 (but all are welcome)
  • Cost: Included with your entry fee
  • Booking: No need to book in advance 
Image of Siana reading a children's book to two little girls.