Children’s Barn
Welcome to the Children’s Barn
Looking for a fun and hands-on activity the whole family will enjoy? Step into the Children’s Barn – our much-loved animal contact area where you and your little ones can meet some of our friendliest farmyard animals up close.
Meet our friendly farmyard animals
Say hello to Huckleberry, our handsome Highland bull, and meet our cheeky goats including George, Charlie, and Marley. There are also bouncy rabbits, adorable piglets and our gentle giant, Rhona the Shire horse, ready to greet you.
Get closer to our smaller residents
In the centre of the barn, you can get closer to some of our smaller animals. Depending on the time of year, you might even get to:
- Hold tiny newborn chicks
- Pet Rodney the giant rabbit
- Stroke our fluffy guinea pigs
- Meet playful pygmy goats
During the winter, we run special enrichment activities to help keep our animals happy and active. One favourite is “Guinea Pig Fishing” – children dangle broccoli on sticks for the guinea pigs to nibble. It’s fun for kids and helps keep the guinea pigs busy when they can’t be outside.
Animal welfare comes first
We always put animal welfare first. Animals get regular breaks and can step away to quiet spaces if they need them. Come back to the Children’s Barn later in your visit if your favourite animal isn’t there to meet. They might be rotating in a little later.
Our lovely staff and Life Skills students are always nearby to answer questions and help children handle the animals gently and safely.
Keeping everyone safe
To keep things safe and healthy for both visitors and animals, please wash your hands thoroughly after touching any animals or being in the barns. This is especially important before eating, going into the restaurant or soft play, and when you’re leaving the farm.
Hand sanitisers are not an adequate substitute. Please use our handwashing stations placed all around the site and help anyone you are responsible for to do the same. They’re they’re never far away! We also recommend downloading our handwashing leaflet before your visit.
Meet the animals
Sessions run daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (on all open days).
Please remember to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards at the nearest handwashing station.
Come along and make some furry friends – it’s a great way for children to learn, play and connect with nature!