Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park

What it’s like

Cart rides behind heavy horses and miniature ponies, plus feeding, grooming and a stable yard tour on a working farm near Verwood.

The big draw here is the horses, and not the usual farm-park pony. You get carriage rides pulled by proper heavy horses, cart rides from the miniature ponies, and a stable yard tour where you meet the animals up close. There's grooming too, so if your child has ever wanted to brush a Shetland pony rather than just look at one from behind a fence, this is where that happens. Add tractor and trailer rides out through the fields, a Pet's Corner for cuddling rabbits, and feed you can buy in the shop for the horses, ponies, donkeys, pigs, goats, chickens and ducks, and there's a fair bit to get through before lunch.

It suits toddlers up to grandparents, according to the farm itself, though the events structure rewards an early start. The first event kicks off at 10:30am and the last presentation is at 2pm, which is also your last entry time, so turning up at midday means missing chunks of the day. Booking ahead is essential for every visit, no exceptions, which is a bit of a faff if you like spontaneous days out but does mean you are not queuing at the gate.

Entry is not cheap: £17.50 for an adult, £16.95 for a child aged 3 to 15, £11.95 for a two-year-old, with a family ticket at £65.50. Carers only get a discount on group bookings, not individual tickets, which stings a bit if that's your situation. Parking is free, dogs are welcome on a lead everywhere except the indoor café seating, and there's baby changing in the Shepherd's Hut near Smokey Joe's Café.

It's an outdoor day for the most part, with vintage fairground rides and the stable tours as the bits worth pacing yourself for. Wheelchairs are welcome around most of the farm, but the WW1 trenches and the tractor and carriage rides use traditional vehicles that can't take a wheelchair or scooter, so factor that in if it matters to your group. The park closes for winter, running from late March to the end of October, so this is very much a spring-to-autumn plan rather than a year-round one.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Age 2 upwards, especially kids keen on horses and hands-on feeding

Last entry

2pm (last presentation at 2pm)

Parking

Free car parking on site for visitors

How long to allow

Full day. First event at 10:30am, last presentation at 2pm

Wheelchairs

Welcome but not available for hire

Dogs

Friendly dogs welcome on a short lead, can access all areas except indoor café seating

Parties

Birthday parties with minimum 10 guests

• Booking ahead is essential, there's no walk-up entry
• Arrive early, since the last presentation and last entry are both 2pm
• The farm closes for winter, open late March to end of October only
• Cards are accepted if you'd rather not carry cash
• Dogs can join you almost everywhere except the indoor café seating

Plan your visit

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