What is it?
A farm is an area of land primarily devoted to the growth of food and upkeep of livestock. The specific outputs of a farm can very greatly, ranging from dairy products to fish to tobacco - anything that can be grown and cultivated can within reason be farmed. In recent years farms have also become somewhat of a tourist attraction, with many working farms allowing for paying guests to look around and experience how it all works; farm animals are often a popular reason for visits!
What does it involve?
Farms generally involve the careful upkeep of the land and everything on it with the aim of selling on the produce gained at the end of the process. The various techniques and styles of farming will vary depending on the produce, the climate and the farmer, but all involve a lot of planning and care!
Why do it and what are the benefits?
A visit to a farm can introduce students to a lot of new things, especially teaching them how the things they see in the supermarket start out either from the ground or from an animal! It will encourage students to be curious about things around them, and increase respect for the processes necessary to provide us with a lot of the food and materials we take for granted.
What equipment do we need?
Visiting a farm shouldn't require any equipment on your behalf! However, one thing you may wish to consider is ensuring the students are dressed appropriately for the weather/outdoors - check with the venue to see what sort of conditions they advise you dress for.
Who is it suitable for?
Farms should be suitable for pretty much anyone, but older students may have less interest than those in younger groups for whom interacting with farm animals may still be a novelty!
Costs?
The costs of accessing a farm are usually reasonably low, with many venues having free entry to encourage people to come and understand just exactly what goes on!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
As with any activity that could involve animals or machinery, younger students should be supervised at all times! You must also ensure that your group respects the rules of the farm and don't walk on planted areas/feed animals you shouldn't/pick any products you aren't invited to!
How do we include?
As many farms are primarily businesses, they may not be set up for disabled access, but the larger the establishment the more likely they are to cater for disabilites. A farm visit would be a great thing to take people of all capabilties on, so make sure to check out what the venue's set up is ahead of time.
Doing it abroad?
Foreign farms could be great places to visit! An alternate climate can allow for different plants and animals to thrive, and it would be a good opportunity to see similiarites and differences to farms in the UK.
Main websites:
National Farm Attractions Network
This webpage also has some great recommendations, but check out individual venue websites to see exactly what they have on.
Young visitors have the opportunity to get close to a wide range of farm animals from the tiniest chickens to the statuesque Shire horses, with hands-on activities and play zones.
Plus indoor Egg Splat cannons and ride on tractors as well as two adventure play areas for different age groups and the tractor trailer ride.
A nice little farm where you can meet and feed a variety of animals, including sheep,goats, pigs and chickens. Indoor play barn, pedal tractors, plus tractor and trailer rides around the farm. Dedicated area for children’s parties.
Following a £530,000 redevelopment, the Brooks Farm Outdoor Learning Centre re-opened to the public on the 12 August 2014.
Originally the Police Station and Courthouse, the Museum is opposite St. Mary's Church in the centre of Axminster. Visitors may discover the old police cells which have now been incorporated into the Arts Cafe adjacent to the Museum.
Have a rainforest experience in the Victorian glasshouses, get lost in the maze, follow one of our trails or enjoy the beautiful gardens. Visit the farm or have fun in our fantastic new play barn.
Education and Learning
Liz Monk Studio Pottery & Gallery is situated on a picturesque traditional farm courtyard, set in the north Worcestershire countryside. Manor Farm is a working farm, where the Monk family have lived and made their livelihood for the past 35 years.
An unforgettable day of fun, action, new experiences and a bit of learning for families with children up to the age of 12 in a lovely, safe and happy environment. Lots of indoor activities, a daily programme of shows and different seasonal events whenever the kids are on holiday – from Easter Eggstravaganza through to Winter Wonderland.
Meet plenty of furry friends, enjoy Animal Activities and Demonstrations and discover the Giant Indoor Playbarn! Guaranteed to give you the Ahhhh factor, there's stacks of animal fun and indoor play at Odds Farm Park.
A variety of interesting farm zoo animals which originate from across the world including camels, adventure playground, plus let the kids pick their own fruits and vegetables.
Milk a cow by hand; take part in their Animal Feeding Tour; watch the machine milking; Visit Mini Farm World, Pets' Corner and the Play Area; follow the Farm Trail; take a trailer ride around the farm; and admire the panoramic views across four counties!
Once the grandest and most striking house on the Isle of Wight, Appuldurcombe's 18th century baroque elegance is still notable today in the partly restored shell of the building. Admire the delightful east front and stroll peacefully through 'Capability' Brown's idyllic ornamental 11 acres of grounds. Treat yourself in our well stocked and attractive souvenir shop.
Visit our working arable farm to learn about food production and sustainable farming methods to help our farmland wildlife. Find different habitats and understand the effects of breaching the sea wall and the salt marsh created.
Adapted for KS1-4:
FARMING AND WILDLIFE...
The Park is home to more than 80 species of animals from around Africa - including the fastest mammal, the tallest mammal and the biggest bird in the world!
We are the perfect destination for an exciting and educational visit for all ages!
Tŷ Mawr Country Park lies on the banks of the River Dee in the beautiful Vale of Llangollen, part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is located adjacent to Cefn Viaduct, built by Thomas Brassey in 1848 to carry the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway across the valley of the River Dee.
In this most southerly part of rural Derbyshire, Beehive Farm Woodland Lakes offers visitors lots of fun ways to enjoy a very special corner of the New National Forest. They have over 66 acres of emerging young woodland to explore with thriving wildlife, fishing lakes and a family-friendly animal farm.
Chester Farm is an archaeologically and historically important site covering 34 hectares, which includes a large area designated as a Scheduled Monument and a complex of Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings.
The site is not currently open to the public so please do not visit unless by appointment.
Situated in the spectacular setting of the Staffordshire and Derbyshire Peak District, Ilam Park makes an ideal base to explore the other parts of the White Peak area.
White Peak incorporates several key areas that are well worth a visit. These include: Dovedale; the Manifold Valley; Ilam Park; Ecton Mine, Stanton Moor Edge; Miller's Dale and Ravenstor; and High Wheeldon.
Follow a clifftop walk with breathtaking views of the Jurassic coast with a night under the stars at Prattshayes caravan and campsite.
Fordhall Farm is an inspiring example of how farming can become a force for sustainable education and change as well as a producer of fine, local organic food. Located on the outskirts of Market Drayton in North Shropshire, Fordhall Farm is now owned by an Industrial and Provident Society made up of 7500 shareholders from across the UK and further afield.
There is so much to see and do at Mary Arden's Farm! Step back in time for all the sights, smells and sounds of a real Tudor farm and explore the house where Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, grew up.
Experience for yourself the daily routine, skills and crafts that the young William would have known from visits to his grandparents in the 1570s.
As well as two working farm visitor centres (Sandwell Park Farm and Forge Mill Farm) there are nature areas, an aerial assault course (managed separately), an adventure playground, an RSPB Visitor Centre, woodland, meadows, farmland.
Hello and welcome to White Post Farm, one of the East Midlands’ most popular visitor attractions.
For 20 years we’ve been entertaining millions of kids and adults, giving them the chance to get up close to thousands of friendly animals, like chicks, llamas, rabbits, cows and pigs.
Tucked away in London’s East End is a working farm, Rural Arts Centre and community meeting place. We give children and adults a chance to meet farm animals, learn how to grow food and try out arts and crafts.
The Farm is free to all visitors and everyone is welcome!
Becketts have been farming in Wythall - just south of Birmingham - for 77 years and our mission is to bring both fresh food and farming closer to the people.
Our business has evolved over time and now comprises an award-winning Farm Shop, a large family restaurant, conference and meeting facilities, and a cookery school.
Enjoy a great day out in a relaxed countryside setting where you’ll discover an extensive garden centre, farm shop, courtyard shops, restaurants and miniature railway - all within a five minute drive from Evesham town centre.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.