Yolk Farm Restaurant/Cafe
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Boroughbridge
What it’s like
Free entry to see hens, alpacas, pigs, donkeys and lambs, with a play barn and giant sand pit for the muddy days you didn't plan for.
Entry to the farm itself is free, which is the sort of detail that makes you forgive almost anything else. You wander round and meet hens, alpacas, pigs, donkeys and lambs, then head into the play barn where there's a giant sand pit, a farm shop role play corner, a vegetable garden bit, construction play, egg collecting and mini trikes for anyone too small for the real animals to hold their attention for long. There's also an alpaca experience listed, which sounds like the thing to save for the end of the visit rather than the start, once everyone's calmer.
Food's on site with a proper cafe rather than a snack van, but they don't take bookings for dining, so you turn up and wait for a table like everyone else. That's fine on a quiet Tuesday and a bit of a faff on a Saturday when the play barn's emptied everyone out hungry at once. Hot food stops at 3pm, so don't roll up at half three expecting a cooked lunch, though the farm shop keeps going later if you just need snacks for the road.
It's open every day bar Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and the hours are generous enough that a morning or afternoon visit both work, with the cafe running an evening service on Fridays too if you fancy tea there instead of lunch. Dogs are allowed and there's a dog field on site, so if the family unit includes one, nobody has to sit in the car.
Parties are the other option here rather than an add-on. A shared Farm Fun Party starts at £13.95 a child and gets you play space plus food and drink, or you can pay more for exclusive use of the space if you'd rather not share your child's birthday with strangers' children. Both need a £50 deposit to hold the date and it's non-refundable.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Good for younger kids, with role play and animals to hold their attention
- Last entry
- Last orders for hot food 3:00pm
- Booking
- Walk-ups only. No advance bookings for cafe dining
- Dogs
- Dog field available on site
- Parties
- Farm Fun Party (shared) from £13.95/child, Exclusive Use Farm Party from £17/child
- Hot food stops at 3pm, so aim for lunch rather than a late afternoon meal
- Cafe queues can build up at weekends since there's no way to book a table
- Friday evenings get a separate cafe service if you fancy tea there
- Party deposits of £50 are non-refundable, so be sure of your date before booking
Plan your visit
How much does it cost to get in?
Getting onto the farm is free. You'd only pay for food, the play barn extras or a party booking.
Do we need to book the cafe?
No advance bookings, you just turn up and they'll seat you when a table's free. It can mean a queue at busy times.
What time does the kitchen stop serving hot food?
Last orders for hot food are 3pm, though the farm shop and some drinks and snacks run later.
What is there for younger kids to do?
The play barn has a giant sand pit, role play areas like a mini farm shop and vegetable garden, construction play and mini trikes, alongside the animals outside.
Can we bring the dog?
There's a dog field on site so your dog doesn't have to stay in the car.
Are picnics allowed if we don't want the cafe?
Picnics are allowed on site if you'd rather bring your own food.
How do birthday parties work?
There's a shared Farm Fun Party from £13.95 a child or an Exclusive Use party from £17 a child, both including play space, food and drinks. A £50 deposit holds your date and it's non-refundable.
What days is it open?
Open every day of the year except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with slightly different hours over the Christmas period.
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