Farms2ewe
WHERE
Newbury
What it’s like
A mobile farm that brings goats, orphan lambs and a Shetland pony to you, for stroking, feeding and grooming rather than a static farm visit.
This isn't a farm you drive to. It's a farm that turns up at yours, arriving in an Isuzu truck with a livestock trailer and setting up pens, gazebos and feed buckets wherever you've cleared space. Kids get close to orphan lambs, Pygmy goats, Shetland ponies and a handful of smaller animals like guinea pigs and rabbits, with hen and chicks or ducklings depending on the time of year. Nobody picks the animals up themselves, the farmers do that bit and bring them over to be touched, stroked and fed, which is a sensible rule given how much handling goes on through the day.
There's a proper hands-on stretch here rather than a quick photo opportunity. Expect grooming a Shetland pony, feeding sessions, and arm painting or glitter tattoos worked in alongside the animals. For birthday parties it's a 1.5 hour slot with two farmers running the show, which feels about right before attention spans wander.
The setup has real requirements worth knowing before you book a space. AstroTurf and spongy playground surfacing are out, so gardens or fields work better than a soft play area. They'll want a water source nearby for buckets and watering cans, and the farmers and animals need a full hour's lunch break with no children about, so factor that into timings if you're planning a longer event. Cancel with under two weeks' notice and you're on the hook for the full payment, which is the kind of clause you want to read twice before signing anything.
Schools get a different structure entirely: groups of 15 to 20 children rotate through 30-minute sessions across a half or full day, with a calf added in for full farm visits (though not usually at birthday parties or in smaller spaces). Staff hold basic DBS checks and the operation carries £10 million public liability cover, with the certificate sent out once you've booked.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parties
- 1.5 hour birthday party slot with two farmers, animals including Shetland pony, Pygmy goats, orphan lambs, small animals
- No AstroTurf or spongy playground surfaces, they need proper ground for the pens
- Farmers and animals take a full hour's lunch break with no children around
- Book early: cancelling inside two weeks means paying in full
- Staff carry basic DBS checks and there's £10 million public liability cover
- A calf usually joins full farm visits but not birthday parties or tighter spaces
Plan your visit
Do we need to book ahead?
Yes, and cancellations need two weeks' notice. Cancel later than that and full payment is still due.
Can the children pick up the animals?
No, the farmers handle all the animals and bring them over for stroking and feeding. It's a hands-on visit, just not a hands-in-charge one.
What space do we need to provide?
A grassed or solid area works, but AstroTurf and spongy playground surfaces aren't suitable for the animal pens. Access to a water source for buckets is needed too, and shade is preferred in hot weather.
What happens at a birthday party?
You get a 1.5 hour slot with two farmers, Shetland pony, Pygmy goats, orphan lambs and small animals, plus arm painting or glitter tattoos.
How many farmers come along?
Usually one at local visits, sometimes two if it's further afield or a bigger booking. School and party bookings are staffed accordingly.
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