Aston Springs Farm
BEST FOR
Ages 1+
ENTRY
from £1
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Rotherham
What it’s like
A farm trail where kids feed goats and alpacas, cuddle ferrets and go pond dipping, with no need to book for a standard visit.
The trail itself is free to wander at your own pace, and that's the bit worth knowing before you go: £7.50 gets you and the kids in, then a bag of animal feed is another £1 if you want them properly hands-on with the goats and alpacas rather than just looking. Under-1s get in free. Expect meerkats, rabbits, guinea pigs and reptiles in the barns, plus rare breed pigs, peacocks, red deer, donkeys and ponies out on the trail. Pond dipping is in there too, for the kids who'd rather hunt for creepy crawlies than pet anything.
Where it gets interesting is the paid extras. A Baby Goats cuddle is only £2 and probably the easiest yes of the day, while things like the Alpaca Walk or Ferret Experience need booking ahead with a deposit and start at £25 to £30 for a group. Ferrets do playbite according to the site, so that one's better suited to kids who won't yelp and drop them. Mini Farmer Mornings are pitched at ages 1 to 4 for £12, and Young Farmer Days for 5 to 11 year olds run £60 to £65 a child and include lunch from Aston's Restaurant, which makes them feel less steep once you factor in you're not also sorting a packed lunch.
The trail has steep inclines and uneven ground, so it's not one for wheelchairs, and it shuts weekdays over the November to February half term and on Tuesdays in termtime generally. Last entry is 3:15pm, and picnic areas are dotted along the trail if you'd rather bring your own food than rely on snacks from the ticket office. There's also an overnight Farmstay option in a shepherd's hut or your own tent, though it's worth knowing there's no electricity or shower and it's one night stays only.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 1 to 11, with toddler mornings and older kids' farmer days both catered
- Last entry
- 3:15pm
- Booking
- Animal experiences and special events require advance booking with deposits
- Picnics
- Picnic areas available on farm trail
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Worth knowing
- Under 1s free entry
- The farm trail is walk-in, no booking, but experiences like the Alpaca Walk or Ferret Experience need a deposit in advance
- The trail has steep inclines and uneven terrain, so it's tricky going with a wheelchair
- Closed Tuesdays in termtime and weekdays over the November to February half term
- Farmstay is one night only, no refunds, though you can change the date with 48 hours notice
- Young Farmer Days include lunch from Aston's Restaurant in the price
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£7.50 for the standard farm trail, adult or child. Under 1s go free, and animal feed bags are £1 each.
Do we need to book?
Not for the standard farm trail, you can just turn up. The animal experiences and Farmstay do need booking ahead with a deposit.
What age is it good for?
The trail suits toddlers up up to older kids happily, but the paid experiences are more specific: Mini Farmer Mornings are for 1 to 4 year olds, Young Farmer Days for 5 to 11.
What do the kids actually do?
Feed and handle baby goats, meet meerkats and reptiles in the barns, groom donkeys and ponies, go pond dipping, and walk alpacas or goats in their enclosure.
Is it OK for a toddler?
Under 1s are free and Mini Farmer Mornings are aimed at 1 to 4 year olds, so yes, though the trail has steep bits and uneven ground to watch for with a buggy.
Can we take our own food?
Yes, there are picnic areas on the farm trail. Snacks are also sold at the ticket office on entry.
What about the ferrets, are they safe for little ones?
The site says ferrets may playbite, so that experience is better for older kids who can handle it calmly.
How long does a visit take?
You can tailor the walk to be as long or short as you like, and last entry is 3:15pm.
Is the farm open every day?
It's open 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Monday, but closed Tuesdays in termtime and on weekdays during the November to February half term.
Can you stay overnight?
There's a Farmstay option in a shepherd's hut or your own tent. The hut has a king size bed and two child's futons but no electricity or shower.
Do you do birthday parties?
Birthday parties are listed as one of the things on offer at the farm.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs aren't allowed on site.
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