We were kindly gifted entry to Bocketts Farm in exchange for a honest review – All opinions are our own. This is also a very photo heavy post – Sorry not sorry.
On Sunday, we were kindly invited to explore Bocketts farm and all they have to offer this half term. It’s Farming week and there are lots of things for the whole family to do. The weather wasn’t the greatest thanks to Storm Dennis, but that didn’t stop us from having a wonderful time. When you arrive you are given a leaflet full of the days activities, as well as a little passport where the kids can collect stamps as they go around the farm. You can also buy a bag of animal feed for £1. There is also a cute little set up where you can take photos – its normally themed according to the time of year which is always fun!
As you first walk in, you enter a large open barn area full of fun things to do! Whenever we go to Bocketts farm, Molly has to go on the tractors in the young drivers zone. It’s an area designated to under 5’s where they can choose a tractor or bike and ride around. Molly found it more fun this time to run around as apposed to riding on a vehicle, not entirely sure why?!
There is a real tractor that children can sit in and it makes noises as if it was running. You can beep the horn and turn the wheel. It doesn’t actually move, but its still super cute to watch the children get all excited about it! They also have a trampoline area with 6 little trampolines, all with netting around to avoid any falls. It was the first time Molly has had a go on these – she loved it!
One thing I love about Bocketts is that a lot of the activities offered are completely free of charge. Like Craft Corner. Craft corner provides free activities that are themed seasonally. This week you can make your own badges, plant and decorate your own cress pot, and make crafts out of coloured paper plates. They have tables set up with different craft supplies, pipe cleaners, pom poms, pens, pencils and more.
Molly went for a badge. They have several different animals that you can choose from. We got a duck last summer, she chose a pig this time. Molly coloured it in all by herself. She did try to add a pom pom but it wouldn’t fit on the badge – for obvious reasons! Once you have decorated your badge, you hand it to the person at the desk and they make it into a badge for you. It’s a little bit like magic in a toddlers eyes.
Bocketts farm also have the pig race. This is something that the farm has always offered for as long as I can remember. I used to come here as a child and have fond memories of choosing a coloured flag and supporting my chosen piggy. Molly chose the purple flag because its her favorite colour at the moment. It was rather damp whilst watching the pig race, so the turn out wasn’t as good as it would be on a summers day, however it was still fun…and no, our purple pig didn’t win.
In the discovery barn you can find a wide range of animals. Sheep, Cows, Pigs Goats, donkey’s and Alpacas. They also have meet the shepherd sessions, an opportunity to learn all about our sheep and lambs from the Shepherd themselves! As well as a Jr farmers adventure where you can talk to the staff and answer questions about the animals in the barn, you get a sheet to fill in as you go around.
Molly loved the goats. She found them hilarious and really loved feeding them. There was a brown one that she was particularly fond of and didn’t want to say goodbye to.
Over 60 lambs are due this spring, with some having already made an appearance. There are also some other animals due to have their babies so you may be lucky enough to see it happen!
Running throughout the day is The Giggle Company! We didn’t have any idea what to expect. We were also nervous as we thought Molly wouldn’t be interested and would try to do a runner! Oh how we were wrong! It’s a fully interactive show full of songs, dancing, bubbles and snow! The hosts were amazing! At 2 years old, Molly was by far the youngest there, but she was in her element copying the older children. She only attempted to run out the room once, which we took as a massive win! She was laughing and dancing and legit loving every second of it. Hopping like a bunny, imaginatively riding on a horse. Pretending to make a cake and singing Jelly on a plate whilst playing with a giant parachute filled with small balls!
If you head to Bocketts I honestly can’t recommend The Giggle Company enough!
Throughout the day, we collected all the stamps for our passport. Something we have never done when visiting, but now Molly is older we thought we would give it a go. She go all excited every time she saw a stamp station and helped to stamp the book every time. Such a cute little keep sake.
Due to the bad weather there were a few things that we were unable to do that Bocketts offer. Tractor rides and playing in the amazing outdoor area, as well as the pony rides. Head over to our post from the Summer to see some photos of the outdoor area, there is something for everyone of every age to do. Swings, slides, climbing frames, bouncy pillows, karts, a giant sand pit – there is so much!
During this week, there are Birds of Prey flying demonstrations. Monday to Friday only from 11am – 4pm. Flying demonstrations at 12pm and 2pm. As well as Small Animal Encounters, Goat Milking,.
We ended the day having something to eat and a hot drink in the Tea Room Cafe before heading home. We had he most amazing, fun filled day and can’t thank or recommend Bocketts enough. A place I loved as a child and am so lucky and grateful I can now take my little one there.
