Abbotsbury Children’s Farm, Dorset

Up the road from Abbotsbury Swannery and part of the trio of attractions in Abbotsbury is Abbotsbury Children’s Farm. It’s a nice little farm for younger children with a mix of animal attractions and play areas.

Abbotsbury Children's Farm review

Getting to Abbotsbury Children’s Farm

The children’s farm is a short walk from the centre of Abbotsbury. There is only disabled parking available at the farm itself. You can use the paid-for car park in the village, or the free car park down at Abbotsbury Swannery, which is about a ten-minute walk down a relatively car-free country lane.

The boating lake at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

The farm has a daily schedule of activities including pony rides (£3 extra), guinea pig handling, and the universally requisite lamb feeding. Ask for a schedule when you arrive.

We chose first to do pony rides. It’s not the biggest ride in the world for £3, but the girls love ponies and we don’t often get the chance to do any riding, so we did it!

Pony rides at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

Next, it was guinea pig handling. This was very cute. The guinea pigs are loose in a barn and you’re invited to go in and (carefully) find a chair. The handlers bring a guinea pig in a towel for you to sit on your knee and stroke and to feed a carrot. We love guinea pigs, and this was a highlight of our trip to Andrewshayes Holiday Park for the girls.

Guinea pig handling at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

What to see at Abbotsbury Children’s Farm

It was mid to late afternoon when we arrived, so most of the activities had been and gone. We took the opportunity to explore the rest of the farm and meet the numerous animals, which include budgies, goats, donkeys, and a tortoise.

Animals at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

The outdoor play area was much used by the girls.

The play park at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

….as were the pedal tractors!

Pedal tractors at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

The outdoor sand play area in the courtyard was very good and they all enjoyed playing on this one. It was a lovely day when we visited and it was good to get some much-needed outdoor playtime at Abbotsbury Children’s Farm

The sand play area at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

We didn’t play much in the covered play area, or in the huge play barn with soft play and a bouncy castle, or the indoor water play area as it was such a nice day and a shame to be indoors. I can see how these would be brilliant if we hadn’t been so lucky with the weather that day.

Covered play area at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm Indoor water play area at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

There was also a pretend cow so you could do some pretend milking!

Molly the magic cow at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

Some of the attractions were too little for my nine-year old, and some were probably at the limits for the six-year olds. We didn’t go on everything. There was plenty for much younger children to do, and I would recommend Abbotsbury Children’s Farm for children between 2 and 8 years old. In fact, under 5s go free, so even better if you have very young ones!

On the trampoline at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm

We loved getting up close to the guinea pigs and ponies, and burning off some energy on the play park on a very hot and sticky day. The ice-cream and lollies in the cafe was a great way of topping off a day of Abbotsbury sightseeing.

The outdoor seating area at the Abbotsbury Childrens Farm cafe

 

About Abbotsbury Children’s Farm

Visit time – Allow at least two hours, up to around five hours.

Under 5s go FREE!

Book your tickets on line and save 20%

Abbotsbury Children’s Farm is part of the Tesco Clubcard scheme where you can exchange Clubcard points for reduced entry

From March until September, the farm is open from 10am to 5pm seven days a week. Weekends and half-term opening in September and October –  Please check the website for exact dates.

You can buy a ‘passport’ which will give you reduced price entry to the Children’s Farm, and also to Abbotsbury Swannery, and the Subtropical Gardens. Check out the website of Abbotsbury Tourism to learn more

Abbotsbury Children's Farm

For more information please visit Abbotsbury Children’s Farm

Disclosure – we were guests of Abbotsbury Children’s Farm. All opinion is our own

 

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