It appears going to one of our brilliant ‘farms’ is a pretty good thing to do right now. Let’s be honest, anything that gets us outside has to be a good thing.
There are links to each venue with as much up to date information as we could get.
A day on a farm is a fantastic thing to do with the kids. To see their eyes light up and their confidence grow as they pluck up the courage to step a little closer to the animals is a sight to behold. Some of my favourite pictures are those of my lad, wellies on, food in hand, edging ever closer to the pigs and sheep.
So here is the start of the SOUTH WALES LIFE guide to family-friendly farms on our doorstep. The list will be expanding over the coming weeks. So maybe bookmark this page and come back regularly.
You don’t have to muck out at these farms, but you will absolutely muck in with feeding and petting. A lot of the places have so much more than just the animals and can pretty much guarantee a full day out for the whole family.
BARRY
AMELIA TRUST FARM
The AMELIA TRUST FARM is on a massive 160 acres site. It was actually donated to the Methodist Church and historically has been a livestock farm. Now, it has a revitalised oak and hazel coppice woodlands, ponds and a natural wetland meadow.
Based in the Vale of Glamorgan, the Amelia Trust Farm is a countryside sanctuary for all to enjoy. As a registered charity, they believe no one should be excluded from society. They have a long and proud history of providing therapeutic support to disadvantaged and vulnerable people in a Care Farm setting.
During term-time they run a programme for young people who are struggling in mainstream education perhaps because they have suffered abuse or neglect or are statemented with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD or autism. They think that society has given up on them and feel worthless and that life has nothing to offer them. Without the right type of care and support this highly vulnerable group enter adulthood without the life skills people need to cope let alone succeed.
The many friendly farm animals are accessible to the public all year round, either in the Animal Centre during the cold winter months, or out in the special paddocks during the rest of the year.
- Restaurant Onsite (currently closed for redevelopment)
- Bro Coffi is onsite during weekends and school Holidays serving drinks and snacks
- Snacks Available
- Picnics Allowed
- Wheelchair Friendly
- Toilets
- Disabled Toilets
- Baby Changing Facilities
- Parking On-site
- Pushchair Friendly
OPENING TIMES
- Summer
Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 4:30pm - Winter
Monday to Sunday 10:00am – 4pm
It’s important to note that visitors must be off site by 4:30pm.
COST
This really depends on when you are going. Best to check out their website to choose.
If you’re a regular visitor to the Farm or live locally, why not consider buying an annual pass?
For just £30 a year for an adult and £20 a year for a child, you can enjoy unlimited visits to the lovely Care Farm. See the animals, explore the woodland, and play in the outdoor park whenever it suits you.
Adult Annual Pass: £30.00
Junior Annual Pass: £20.00
(Under 16 years)
- Pets allowed
- Dogs are welcome
The AMELIA TRUST FARM is at Whitton Rosser on Five Mile Lane, Walterston in Barry. It’s easily accessible on the A4226 Bonvilston to Barry Road. To find out more just go here. AMELIA
BRECON
CANTREF ADVENTURE FARM
CANTREF is so much more than a farm with masses of things to enjoy at this award winning centre. You can go riding, stay there, take part in special events and the list goes on.
As a farm however (which this guide is) you can choose from – bottle feeding pigs, going crazy in the play zone, holding hamsters, pony rides, pet racing, adventures through swamps, a badger quest and have encounters with so many animals. There are indoor and outdoor areas, as well as tractor rides.
Cost once again depends on when you are going, and which experience you want to book.
• Tailored visits to meet your needs
• Large heated indoor play barn
• Large indoor animal barns to give all weather access to animals.
• Numerous hand washing facilities
• Active breeding programme with many young animals to see.
• Supervised animal based activities and demonstrations included**
• Tractor and Trailer rides (April – October)
• Lots of indoor and outdoor seating areas
• Gift shop selling many pocket money items (Gift bags can be arranged prior to your group arrival)
• Cafe serving hot and cold drinks and homemade food and cakes.
• Large, safe, free car parking area for cars and coaches
• Plenty of fresh air and space
Here’s all the farm opening times through to 2025…….
| 10th February – 18th February 2024 | Lambing Festival Open Daily 10.30am – 5.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online. |
| 19th February – 22nd March 2024 | Farm Park Closed * Private VIP Packages (Covers up to 6 people) or Group Bookings of 20+ – Please ring 01874665223 or email info@cantref.com for availability and to book. |
| 23rd March – 7th April 2024 | Easter Eggstravaganza Open Daily 10.30am – 5.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online |
| 8th April – 24th May 2024 | Open Weekends 10.30am – 5.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online * Open Bank Holiday Monday 6th May ** Private VIP Packages (Covers up to 6 people) or Group Bookings of 20+ – Please ring 01874665223 or email info@cantref.com for availability and to book. |
| 25th May – 2nd June 2024 | Half Term Open Daily 10.30am – 5.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online |
| 3rd June – 19th July 2024 | Open Weekends 10.30am – 5.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online *Private VIP Packages (Covers up to 6 people) or Group Bookings of 20+ – Please ring 01874665223 or email info@cantref.com for availability and to book. |
| 20th July – 1st September 2024 | Summer Children’s Festival Open daily 10.30am – 5.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online |
| 2nd September – 22nd September 2024 | Open Weekends 10.30am – 5.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online *Private VIP Packages (Covers up to 6 people) or Group Bookings of 20+ – Please ring 01874665223 or email info@cantref.com for availability and to book. |
| 23rd September – 4th October 2024 | Farm Park Closed *Private VIP Packages (Covers up to 6 people) or Group Bookings of 20+ – Please ring 01874665223 or email info@cantref.com for availability and to book. |
| 5th October – 27th October 2024 | Pumpkin Picking – Weekends Only (Closed Week Days) Open 10.30am – 5.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online |
| 26th October & 3rd November 2024 | Pumpkin Festival Open 10.30am – 5.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online |
| 4th November – 22nd November 2022 | Farm Park Closed *Private VIP Packages (Covers up to 6 people) or Group Bookings of 20+ – Please ring 01874665223 or email info@cantref.com for availability and to book. |
| 23rd November – 20th December 2024 | Santa’s Grotto Open Weekends 10.00am – 5.30pm prebooked tickets only Tickets must be pre-booked online *Open Weekdays for Pre-booked Groups |
| 21st – 23rd December 2024 | Santa’s Grotto Open Daily 10.00am – 5.30pm prebooked tickets only |
| 24th December 2024 | Santa’s Grotto Open 9.00am – 4.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online |
| 25th – 30th December 2024 | Farm Park Closed *Private VIP Packages (Covers up to 6 people) or Group Bookings of 20+ – Please ring 01874665223 or email info@cantref.com for availability and to book. |
| 31st December 2024 | Kids New Year’s Eve Party with Special Count Down at 12 Noon Open 10.00am – 4.00pm Tickets must be pre-booked online |
| 1st January – 21st February 2025 | Farm Park Closed *Private VIP Packages (Covers up to 6 people) or Group Bookings of 20+ – Please ring 01874665223 or email info@cantref.com for availability and to book. |
CANTREF ADVENTURE FARM is in Cantref in Brecon. For more details, just go here. CANTREF
BRIDGEND
WIGGLEYS FUN FARM
Wiggleys is fantastic for the little ones and a perfect place for them to play. The nice thing is, no matter what the weather holds, they can still have a great time with a large indoor and outdoor adventure play area. The kids can slide, jump, climb and crawl as long as they like. There’s also a babies’ barnyard with cute little animals around to make anyone sigh with delight. Don’t forget to take lots of picture too.
The farm really is a place for kids of all ages – Babies and Toddlers (0-3), Young Children (4-8) and Older Children (9-12)
- Restaurant Onsite
- Snacks Available
- Picnics Allowed
- Wheelchair Friendly
- Toilets
- Baby Changing Facilities
- Parking On-site
- Pushchair Friendly
OPENING TIMES
- Term Time
- Monday to Friday 10:00 – 6pm
- Saturday to Sunday 10:00 – 5pm
- School Holidays
- Monday to Sunday 10:00 – 5pm
- Closed 25th – 26th December
COST
- General Admission
- Children over 90cm £5.50 (Off Peak £4.50)
- Children under 90cm £4.50 (Off Peak £3.50)
- Adults £2.50 (Off Peak £2.00)
Term Time Deals (Mon – Fri AFTER 3:30pm)
Meal deal – meal, drink and play all for £6.00
Or just play :
- Children over 90cm £4.00
- Children under 90cm £3.00
- Adults. £1.50
WIGGLEYS FUN FARM is on the Aberbaiden Road at Ffordd y Gyffraith Cefn Cribwr in Bridgend. For more information, go here. WIGGLEYS
CARDIFF
CEFN MABLY FARM PARK
CEFN MABLY FARM PARK is totally designed with the kids in mind. There is so much heated and undercover play areas for children at this menagerie between Newport and Cardiff. Pony rides, picnic areas and plenty of opportunities to get close to some amazing animals feature, as well as a special play area for under-fours.
- Restaurant
- Onsite Shop
- Snacks Available
- Picnics Allowed
- Wheelchair Friendly
- Toilets
- Baby Changing Facilities
- Disabled Toilets
- Parking On-site
- Pushchair Friendly
OPENING TIMES
- Monday to Sunday 10am – 5pm
- Last entry is one hour before closing
- Term Time 10am – 5:30pm. Last admission at 4pm weekdays and 3:30pm weekends and school holidays
COST
There are also add-ons, such as crazy golf you can book with your main ticket. There’s no need to book, just turn up and have fun.
CEFN MABLY FARM PARK is on Began Road, Cardiff. To find out more, go here. CEFN
CWMBRAN
GREENMEADOW COMMUNITY FARM –RE-OPENING 2025 NEW ALL WEATHER ACTIVITIES, PLAY, CAFÉ AND SHOP
We’ve left information here so you can see what the farm offers, but currently, and we quote – The Farm is closed for exciting major refurbishments. We’ll let you know when things change. So please take all this as for information only.
This is a beautiful 250-year-old farmhouse which is now the home of GREENMEADOW COMMUNITY FARM. This ancient site is packed with cattle, pigs, sheep, feral cats, bees and goats. There are 120 acres to discover and fall in love with, including a great café which serves food grown on the farm.
OPENING TIMES – TBC
GREENMEADOW COMMUNITY FARM is on Greenforge Way in Cwmbran. For more details, go here. GREENMEADOW.
PEMBROKESHIRE
FOLLY FARM
FOLLY FARM is much more than just a farm, although the family who run it are very much farmers. You can visit over 750 animals at the zoo, and get up close to furry and feathery farmyard friends in the barn. Choose from 17 different rides in our vintage fairground, or enjoy eight adventure play areas.
We visited recently and the whole visit was very smooth, from the moment we went through the entrance, to seeing the animals, rides and ordering food.
They’ve got 120 acres of fun so there really is something for everyone! Opened to the public as a hands-on dairy farm in 1988, and 25 years later it attracts stacks of awards and 400,000 annual visitors. A Piggery and a Ferret Farm are a couple of highlights to look out for.
- ATM
- Restaurant
- Snacks Available
- Picnics Allowed
- Wheelchair Friendly
- Toilets
- Baby Changing
- Disabled Toilets Available
- Parking On-site
- Pushchair Friendly
COST
You can buy day entry tickets online or you can pay on the day at admissions. And you only need to visit more than twice in a 12 month period for our annual passes to be the cheapest option based on the standard day admission prices.
2024 day entry tickets
| On the day | Advance online | |||||
| Adult | £25.95 | £24.65 | ||||
| Child (3-15 years) | £23.95 | £22.75 | ||||
| Toddler (aged 2) | £15.95 | £15.15 | ||||
| Under 2 | Free | Free | ||||
| Senior (60+) | £23.95 | £22.75 | ||||
| Family* | £96.00 | £91.20 | ||||
| Carer** | Free | Free | ||||
2024 annual passes
| On the day | Advance online | |||||
| Adult | £65.00 | £61.75 | ||||
| Child (3-15 years) | £60.00 | £57.00 | ||||
| Toddler (aged 2) | £40.00 | £38.00 | ||||
| Under 2 | Free | Free | ||||
| Senior (60+) | £60.00 | £57.00 | ||||
| Family* | £240.00 | £228.00 | ||||
| Carer** | Free | Free |
A FAMILY PASS is *Valid for two adults and two children or one adult and three children. Please note that if you have a toddler in your family group it may still be cheaper to buy your passes individually due to these passes already being reduced.
**Disabled visitors pay standard admission prices but this includes free entry for one carer (proof of disability required such as a DLA Award, PIP letter, Blue Badge with accompanying photo ID or letter on headed paper from your GP with accompanying photo ID). Visit the accessibility page.
Optional Extras
They know you might not want to do everything in one day. So keep the main ticket price as low as they can, and let you decide whether or not to buy tokens for the vintage fairground, The Pembrokeshire Wheel, The Paratrooper, Follystone racetrack and The Big Dig. You can buy your ride all day fairground wristbands online before your visit or purchase tokens from the token machines onsite if you’d prefer to pay as you go. Tokens are £1 each.
- Vintage fairground: some rides are one token per person, some are two
- The Pembrokeshire Wheel and The Paratrooper ride: two tokens per person
- Follystone racetrack: four tokens per car (two people maximum per car)
- The Big Dig: three tokens per digger (two people maximum per digger)
- Tractor Country: one token per person (four people maximum per tractor)
FOLLY FARM is in Kilgetty in Pembrokeshire. For more information, go here. FOLLY And you can watch their video HERE.
PORT TALBOT
MARGAM COUNTRY PARK
MARGAM COUNTRY PARK is an incredible place if you’ve never bee before. If you have, you’ll know just how much there is to explore across its 1000 acres of countryside. With a castle, orangery, deer park, visitors’ centre, lake, narrow gauge train, farm trail, Fairytale Village and adventure playground one visit is never enough.
Park opening times are 10am – 6pm – with last entry at 5pm. Your visit can be anytime within this period. Please note the busiest arrival times are 10.30 – 12.30.
Just be aware – The Castle is closed at present due to repair works.
PARK MEMBERSHIPS
Visitors with a valid membership will need to use the booking system to book a free parking space. Please ensure the booking is made in the same name and address as the membership details and bring your membership card with you on the day you are visiting.
The new Park Membership is full of benefits and is a great way to make the most of the Park! Enjoy all of these benefits and discounts when you become a member:-
- Free parking for 1 car at Margam Country Park – valid for 1 year from date of purchase
- 10% discount in the Park Gift Shop
- 10% discount in Charlotte’s Pantry
- 10% discount in MCP outdoors
- 10% discount in Go Ape Tree Top Adventure
- Early Park entry, from 9am-10am
- Late Park entry, 30 minutes prior to closing time
Park Membership covers parking charges for a single car in the main car park at Margam Country Park (excluding certain ‘Special Event days’). Membership will be valid for one year from date of purchase online or on site (please allow up to five days for your Membership to be set up).
Park Membership Standard £53.00
Park Membership (NPT Residents discount) £48.00
Kids between 6 and 12 years old will love the Adventure Playground with its castle theme, sky run and elevated walkway! The farm trail is really great fun too. Glamorgan cattle, Llanwenog and Badger Face sheep, Welsh pigs and Buff Orpington hens are just some of the rare breed animals you can see along the way. All the animals have been chosen traditionally by local farmers and smallholders for both their hardiness and the produce such as milk, fleece, meat or eggs that they provide.
They look after their livestock carefully, each type of animal has its own enclosure shelter and food. The Glamorgan Cattle are their speciality. You may have seen the herd in the fields next to the main car park. They can be recognised by their chestnut coloured coat and broad white stripe along the backbone, down the tail and under the belly. It was thought that the Glamorgan breed had died out in Britain in the 1920’s. Fortunately a herd was discovered in 1979 in Sussex, and the entire stock was purchased and brought back to the park, ensuring the survival of the breed.
- Restaurant
- Snacks Available
- Picnics Allowed
- Wheelchair Friendly
- Toilets
- Baby Changing Facilities
- Parking On-site
- Pushchair Friendly
OPENING TIMES
- 1st April – 2nd September
Monday to Sunday 10:00 -17:00 - 3rd September – 31st March
Saturday to Sunday 10:00 – 16:30
Dogs are welcome
Although admission is FREE please check that the date of your visit does not coincide with a ‘special event’ being held at the Park, for which per person entry charges apply. This per person charge is the ONLY entry charge for these days – the Free Entry with Parking charges does not apply on Special Event days.
On Bank Holidays there is a charge ranging from £4.00-£9.00 per adult and £3.00-£7.00 per child depending on the event, on these days this per person entry fee is the only entry fee that applies.
Here’s a few things for you to download ahead of your visit……..
MARGAM COUNTRY PARK is in Port Talbot and has so much to see and admission is FREE to get in, the car park is £6.60. For full details, go here. MARGAM
