Brockswood Animal Sanctuary
BEST FOR
Ages 4+
ENTRY
from £4.75
WHERE
Dudley
What it’s like
A rescue farm in Dudley where kids meet sheep, goats, pigs and donkeys who all have a backstory.
This isn't a petting farm stocked to a formula, it's a proper rescue set-up, so the animals your kids meet have actually landed here through the Police or RSPCA rather than being bred for visitors. Sheep, goats, pigs, ponies, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, ducks and peafowl are all on site, and some carry visible scars or disabilities. That's a decent hook for a five-year-old who wants a story, not just a nose to stroke.
It's aimed at kids from about 4 up, and there's a play area with picnic tables if you want to bring your own lunch rather than rely on the café, which only does cold snacks, coffee and cake. Entry is £4.75 for a child and under-4s go in free, which feels fair when you learn the sanctuary pays to lease the site from the council and covers all the animal care costs itself. No booking needed, you just turn up between 10am and 4pm, last entry 3pm.
One thing to plan around: it's closed on Mondays outside bank and school holidays, and shuts in bad weather too, since the paths and paddocks take a battering. Paths are sloped and a bit uneven in places, so if you've got a wheelchair or a buggy that doesn't love bumps, it's manageable but not effortless. Dogs on leads are welcome, and there's even a secure off-lead run for them, which is a nice touch if the whole crew is coming along.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 4 and up, who'll enjoy the animals' rescue stories
- Last entry
- 3pm
- Booking
- No prior booking necessary for general admission
- Food
- Limited cold snacks and hot/cold beverages including coffee and cake
- Picnics
- Bring your own food. Picnic tables available in play area
- Wheelchairs
- Possible but not ideal. Ramps at steps, accessible toilet, disabled parking near entrance
- Dogs
- Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
- Worth knowing
- Children under 4 free
- Closed Mondays outside bank and school holidays, so check the calendar before a Monday trip
- Weather closures happen too, as wet ground damages the paddocks and paths
- The café only does cold snacks and drinks, so bring a proper packed lunch if you want more
- Disabled parking is close to the entrance, which helps given the sloped paths elsewhere
- Under-18s can't do work experience there at the moment due to insurance rules
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£4.75 for a child aged 4 to 17, and kids under 4 go in free.
Do we need to book?
No, general admission doesn't need booking. Just turn up between 10am and 4pm.
What age is it suitable for?
It's geared towards kids aged 4 and up rather than babies or toddlers.
Is it wheelchair or buggy friendly?
There are ramps at steps and an accessible toilet, but the hardcore paths are sloped and uneven in places, so it's not entirely straightforward.
Is there food on site?
The café does limited cold snacks plus hot and cold drinks like coffee and cake. Picnics are welcome too, with tables in the play area.
Is it open every day?
It's closed on Mondays except during bank holidays and school holidays, when it opens daily. It can also close at short notice in bad weather.
What time is last entry?
Last entry is 3pm, with closing at 4pm.
Can we bring the dog?
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, and there's a secure off-lead dog run on site as well.
Why is there an admission charge if it used to be free?
The site used to be council-run and free, but the sanctuary now leases it independently and covers all the animal care costs, so the small fee goes straight towards that.
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