A Piratey Father’s Day
Ahoy Mateys! Our real-life pirate is visiting the farm this Father’s Day and he can’t wait to meet you and your family! He’ll be adding extra, swash-buckling entertainment throughout the day.
| Activity | Time | Location |
| Pirate fancy dress competition | 3pm | Pig Race Track |
| Storytelling and sea shanty | 11am & 1pm | Discovery Zone |
| Pirate themed trail | All day | Across the farm |
To help make the day even more special, we’re offering one free adult day ticket for every group that includes at least one paid adult or child. When booking your tickets online, simply enter the code FATHERSDAY at checkout. Or let the admissions team know when purchasing tickets on the day and they will be able to apply the discount. This special offer is valid only on Sunday, 15th June 2025, and applies to one adult per group.
Join us for a fun-filled day on the farm, meet our special guest pirate and give Dad an adventure to remember!
Woolly Week
Pop the dates in your diary and head down to the farm for a sheep-load of fun during our much-loved Woolly Week!
If you enjoyed meeting our lambs over Easter, you’ll be thrilled with what we’ve got in store. We’re going full-on fluffy with a whole week dedicated to our woolly friends, think sheep-themed activities, hands-on fun for the little ones, and baa-rilliant surprises around every corner.
Best of all, all the extra activities are included in your farm admission, no extra costs, just heaps of fleece-filled fun!
So, pull on your wellies, gather your flock, and get ready for a week of sheepish smiles and countryside adventures. You’d be baaarmy to miss it!
As usual, each day we will be running tractor-trailer rides from 11am – 4 pm and Meet the Animals from 10am – 4pm, but we will also have the additional special events and activities shown below.
Woolly Week special events and activities
| Activity | Location | Time |
| Sheep shearing demonstration | Cattle barn | Mon to Fri – 11am and 2:30pm |
| Shear a sheep (with shaving foam) | Outside the cattle barn | Mon to Fri – 11:30am and 2pm |
| Interactive pig feeding | Pig Pen’s | 11:45am |
| Sheep craft activity | Discovery Zone | 12pm till 1pm |
| Guinea pig feeding | Children’s Barn | 2pm till 3pm |
| Pig racing | Pig Racetrack | 3:15pm |
| Sheep Trail | Gift Shop | All day |
| Storytelling with Little Bo Peep | Discovery Zone | Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 11:30am and 2:30pm |
| Bouncy Castle | Main Paddock | All day – extra charge applies |
| Face Painting | Check on arrival | All day – extra charge applies |
| Wood turning demonstration | Pig race track | All day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday |
Get ready to go baa-rmy for sheep shearing!
Curious about how sheep get their stylish summer cuts? Swing by at 11am or 2:30pm to watch one of our amazing farm team members show off the age-old art of sheep shearing! They’ll walk you through the process, share some woolly cool facts, and happily answer any questions you have.
Hands on fun for little lambs!
Kids can roll up their sleeves and try “shearing” shaving foam off our fluffy sheep cutouts—foam-tastic fun guaranteed! Then it’s time to get crafty with adorable woolly creations they can take home. Join us in the Discovery Zone between 12 and 1 pm, we’ll have everything you need to let your creativity run wild.
Sheep trail adventure!
Don’t forget to follow our baa-rilliant Sheep Trail, running all day long! Grab your trail sheet from the gift shop and see if you can find all the hidden sheep around the farm. There may be a surprise waiting for our top trail trackers!
Storytelling
Little Bo Peep of course lost her sheep…., but on this occasion has brought her sheep to the Rare Breeds Centre for our team to shear and while that’s happening, she will be in the Discovery Zone for storytelling sessions, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with sessions running at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.
A Truly Magical Christmas
Meet Father Christmas in our magical grotto
Santa’s Grotto will open on Saturday, November 22nd and will be welcoming visitors every weekend until Christmas. It will also be open on Monday, December 22nd through to Wednesday, December 24th, for those last magical visits before the big day.
Rare Breeds Christmas: a farm full of festive cheer
Santa’s elves arrive early to sprinkle their magic around the farm, filling every corner with twinkling lights and festive cheer, transforming the whole farm into a winter wonderland, full of seasonal sparkle and enchantment.
Our cattle barn becomes a glittering Santa’s Grotto, where families can enjoy daily shows featuring Father Christmas himself, along with his cheerful band of elves. Our Children’s Barn will be beautifully decorated too, with glowing lights and a stunning Christmas tree. Tickets to Santa’s Grotto include access to the farm for a full day of fun! So be sure to give time to enjoy the farm and our special additional activities before or after your visit to the grotto!
Seasonal activities for all ages
Families can enjoy a full day of seasonal fun with festive entertainment, a Plant Your Own Christmas Tree activity, Snowman Bowling and magical experiences for all ages, all set within the enchanting atmosphere of our Christmas-themed farm.
Take part in our 12 Day of Christmas themed trail, use the clues to collect all the letters to spell out a festive word, tell our Gift Shop staff the word to recieve a sweet treat!
A professional photographer will be available to capture that special moment when your little ones meet Father Christmas. However, you are also very welcome to take your own photos during your visit.
SEN grotto sessions available too
We are also offering several SEN-friendly grotto 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.
Tickets are on sale now!
You can now book your tickets for both our 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!
Don’t want to visit Santa’s Grotto or Meet Father Christmas?
Normal day tickets are also available this time of year. You don’t need to purchase tickets to Santa’s Grotto to visit. With a normal day ticket you’ll get to see the farm decorated for Christmas and enjoy some special, seasonal activities at no extra cost.
More about Christmas season on the farm
Christmas Gift Market
Why it’s more fun on the farm!
There’s something truly special about a Christmas gift market — the twinkling lights and the cheerful buzz of shoppers hunting for that perfect gift. But this year, why not swap the high street for something a little more enchanting? Head to the Rare Breeds Centre for a festive day out that captures the very best of a traditional Christmas market with all the fun of the farm to enjoy!
Nestled in the heart of the countryside in Woodchurch, our farm comes alive with rustic charm during the festive season. As you enter the Benson Barn, you’ll be greeted with the scent of mulled wine and mince pies available to purchase and enjoy as you stroll among the stalls. Stalls are brimming with handcrafted gifts, artisan food, toys and locally made decorations — all lovingly created by small businesses and local makers. From homemade jams, local honey and beeswax candles to cosy scarves and unique jewellery, you’re sure to find something special for everyone on your list.
Making shopping easier for parents
And here’s the best bit for parents — while you browse the stalls in peace, the kids can be having a wonderful time on the farm with the other parent! It’s the perfect way to keep them entertained while you tick off your shopping list.
So wrap up warmly, grab your wellies, and embrace the festive spirit at our Christmas gift market on the farm. It’s a wonderful way to support local businesses, soak up the atmosphere, and make memories that last well beyond Christmas Day.
Post a letter to Father Christmas
There will be a special magical Christmas post box, located in the Christmas Gift Market, where youngsters can post their letters to Father Christmas. You can bring your own, or head to the Discovery Zone on the farm to make one on special stationery. Parents should make sure to include an email address if they’d like a response to their child from Santa himself!
Christmas gift market stallholders
Vendor name |
Items for sale |
Days at market |
|---|---|---|
| Ishtar Freya Handmade Creations | Needle felt, sea glass, pictures, jewellery and wooden decs | Sunday |
| Fudge Fairy | Delicious hand made fudge | Sunday |
| Adam Bagnall | Local honey | Both days |
| Sue & Beatrice Myers | Handmade jewellery, crochet, and sea glass | Sunday |
| Gooey Goodies | Delicious handmade brownies, blondies, and cookies | Both days |
| Jenny Croucher | Handmade preserves, cheeses, honey, and gift packs | Saturday |
| Lorraine and Debbie | Handmade jewellery, keyrings, purses, and bags | Sunday |
| Katie Johnson | Hand sewn textile items, doorstops, keyrings etc | Both days |
| Enchanted Sweets | Yummy sweets | Saturday |
| Willow Fine | Artwork and giftware | Both days |
| Sam Stone | Button art, printed t-shirts, and gifts | Both days |
| Paraskevi Georghiou-Lawless | Botanical and costal jewellery | Both days |
| Sara McLennon | Wax melts, candles, reed diffusers | Saturday |
| Kaz Goldsack | Christmas bags, stockings, cushions, gifts, advent calendars | Both days |
| Jenny Hawkins | Handwoven wool table runners, shawls and scarves | Sunday |
Step into the festive spirit and explore a delightful selection of locally crafted items, unique gifts, toys, sweet treats, and other edible goodies! Whether you’re searching for the perfect present or simply soaking in the festive cheer, our Christmas Gift Market will be the place to be this festive season!
Event details
Where: Benson Barn (next to the car park)
When: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November 2025
Admission: Free entry to the barn!
Parking: Free!
Please note that the Benson Barn is separate from the farm experience, so you can shop without paying an entry fee. If you’d like to visit the farm, regular admission applies. In addition to our vendors, the Friends of COT will also be raffling off Christmas gift baskets and other goodies!
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A Truly Magical Christmas
Our family-favourite special event includes festive activities and Santa’s Grotto performances through Christmas Eve.