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Canterbury Oast Trust

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

Woolly weekend (a baa-rilliant weekend full of sheep themed fun)

Join us for a baa-rilliant bank holiday weekend packed with sheep themed fun for all ages.

Across the weekend you can dive into the mischief of The Great Sheep Escape, cheer on the speedy stars of The Lamb National (here for this weekend only!), watch our expert shearer at work during our  shearing demos, meet the flock up close at feeding time, and get hands on with woolly creativity in our Craft Corner. The Kent Guild of Spinners, Dyers and Weavers will be with us all three days, sharing their incredible skills and beautiful creations. And our very own Dolly Baa-ton will be with us on Bank Holiday Monday, bringing a day of country fun. Dust off your cowgirl boots and join her for shear-oke and boot-scootin line dancing!

Woolly weekend outdoor 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. (To access the market visitors will need to have purchased an admission ticket to the farm.)

There’s so much happening throughout the weekend! We recommend booking your ticket in advance to secure your spot.

Scroll to the right to see all information about the activities running
Activity
Day(s)
Location
Time
The great sheep escape (sheep breed trail) Saturday, Sunday and Monday All around farm All day
The lamb national (sheep racing for this weekend only!) Saturday, Sunday and Monday Pig racing track 3:15pm
Shear a sheep station (shave a sheep cut out) Saturday, Sunday and Monday TBC TBC
Flock feeding time (sheep feeding) Saturday, Sunday and Monday TBC TBC
Woolly creations – make your own woolly sheep and woolly bracelet making Saturday, Sunday and Monday Discovery zone 11am – 12pm
Woolly character competition (winner announced at the sheep race!) Saturday, Sunday and Monday Discovery zone 10:30am till 2:30pm
Face painting (additional cost) Saturday, Sunday and Monday Opposite discovery zone 10am till 3:30pm
Kent guild spinners, dryers and weavers Saturday, Sunday and Monday TBC 10am till 3:30pm
Woolly weekend market Saturday, Sunday and Monday Main paddock (entry will require a farm ticket) 10am till 4pm
Shearing demonstration Sunday only TBC TBC
Meet Dolly Baa-ton Monday only TBC TBC
Wool spinning Monday only TBC Throughout the day

Make sure you pop into The Granary Restaurant before you leave to try our brand new range of fresh sandwiches, baguettes, pasta, salad and wraps from the Hawkhurst Bread Shed alongside a delicious Costa coffee.

And be sure to check out what sheep themed biscuits and cakes our Granary Life Skills Students have made in our Life Skills Training Kitchen!

 

We aim to ensure that as many animal-related activities as possible take place each day. However, as we work with live animals, situations can be unpredictable, and not all animals may be available at all times or every day.

Christmas on the Farm

Join us this festive season at the Rare Breeds Centre!

Our Christmas celebrations begin on Saturday 28th November and continue every weekend leading up to Christmas.

The festivities carry on from Saturday 19th December through to Wednesday 23rd December, giving you plenty of time for those final, magical visits before the big day.

Check back soon for more information about our Christmas events 2026.

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 will be on sale soon! Keep an eye on here and our social media for more news!

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 will be on sale soon! Keep an eye on here and our social media for more news!

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 of ducks with precision.
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.

What’s on Daily

We have lots of fun activities that run daily during term time and at the weekends. These include:

Activity
Time
What's it about
Granary Restaurant 10am till 4pm We serve up a range of freshly prepared hot and cold meals, snacks, and even baked treats made by students from our culinary life skills programme. Plus, you don’t need to visit the farm to enjoy our family-friendly Granary Restaurant! Park for free, and pop in.
Gift Shop 10am till 4:30pm Our gift shop is the perfect place to find high quality farmyard and nature themed toys, games, books plus small keepsakes for little ones to remind them of their visit to the farm.
Children's Barn 10am till 4pm Come along and meet some furry friends, it’s a great way for children to learn, play and connect with nature!
Soft Play 10am till 4:30pm Our soft play area offers plenty of opportunities for children to exercise their imaginations as well as their muscles.
Pig Feeding 11am Discover exactly what’s on the pigs’ lunch menu and watch them tuck in!
Guinea Pig Fishing 11:30am during term time Enjoy feeding the guinea pigs using mini fishing rods with their favourite vegetable on the end.
Tractor Rides 12:30pm and 2pm during term time and all day during school holidays. Don’t miss out on taking a ride around the farm on our accessible trailer. Not only is it a family favourite, it’s also great for anyone with mobility issues.
Siana’ Stories, Signs and Songs Every Wednesday at 11:30am and 1pm during term time Join us for an enchanting storytelling, singing and Makaton signing adventure with our expert storyteller, Siana.
Mucky Fun Friday’s with Siana Every Friday at 11:30pm till 12:30pm during term time Bring your creativity, and probably a change of clothes or an apron for your little ones, because things are about to get delightfully messy!
Pig Racing 3:15pm – starting April 1st during school holidays and weekends. Cheer on your favourite pig this summer! One of our all-time favourite attractions, pig racing is a must-see event.

Spring Market

Join us on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April for our Spring Market!

We’re gearing up for a fantastic weekend filled with a great selection of stallholders and seasonal delights. Enjoy delicious, freshly made treats, hand crafted gifts, toys and decor. Plus fundraising for our Friends of COT and fidget toys, t-shirts and advice on living with disabilities from  Differences Not Disabilities.

Meet our baby animals too!

There’s so much to enjoy on the farm this weekend! While the spring market is happening, we’ll also be featuring lots of opportunities to meet the baby animals as part of our Easter holidays on the farm lineup. And of course, we’ll also have all of our usual activities and attractions.

 

Stalls we are welcoming
What they are selling
Gooey Goodies Brownies, Blondies and Cookies
Differences Not Disabilities Fidget Toys, T-shirts and advice and information on living with disabilities
Creative Links Decorative Metal Craft
Knots Wood Designs Wood Turned Items
Abby Resin Animals and Coasters
Ishtar Freya Handmade Creations Seasonal and Fantasy Handmade Items
Fudge Fairy Homemade Traditional Fudge
Fran Crochet Animals
Friends of COT Wine Tombola, Toy Tombola and Basket Raffle
Maisy Beaded Jewellery and Handmade Bookmarks
The Candy Shop Fudge and Marshmellow Sticks
GGD 3D Prints 3D Printed Gifts
Ausra Crafts Homemade Crochet Toys, Wooden Gifts and Slate Coasters
The Little Letterbox Studio Paint your own craft boxes and accessories
Sandeep Osbourne Children’s Books
Emma Slate Coasters, Hanging Signs, Trays etc
Brogues Gate Nursery Plants
Fairfield Skin Care Skin care products
Jenny Preserves and cheeses

Sold Out – Paw Patrol meet and greet

This event has now SOLD OUT, please do not turn up on the day unless you have pre-booked tickets.

Get ready for a day full of laughter and family fun as Chase and Rubble from the Paw Patrol gang 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!

While you’re here, make sure to enjoy all the fun attractions on the farm, including adventure playgrounds, ride-on tractors, meet the animals in the Children’s Barn and work off some energy in our soft play area.