Seven farms in and around Cardiff that you must visit!
Last year I made a list of all of the places I wanted to take our children during the warmer months. I managed to go to most of them, but there were a few that we didn’t make it to. This year I’m determined to visit the ones we missed, but also to return to the ones we loved last year. Without further ado, here is my 2016 summer days out bucket list, farm edition!
CefnMably
Cefn Mably holds some very fond memories for me. It was one of the very first farms that my husband and I took our girls too. I’ve written previously about this farm here and here. It was where the girls first held a rabbit and guinea pig, but it’s also where the girls fed their first ever animal too!
Cefn Mably is pretty easy to find and there’s an overflow car park during the busier months. Entry is pretty reasonable at £4 during weekdays and term time and £6 during weekends and half term.
Alternatively a family ticket which admits four people is available for £22. You can also buy animal feed at the welcome desk for an additional cost.
One of the things I love about this farm are the green open spaces. Our girls love having the freedom to run about without having to hold mummy or daddy’s hand.
Cefn Mably also has:
Coffee Shop and bistro
6000 square foot of heated play barn
Indoor and outdoor play areas
12,800 square foot undercover area
Picnic areas around farm
Under fours play area
Pony rides
Touch and hold area with the animals
Conservation and pond areas
Log play areas and under fives play areas
When we go to Cefn Mably we usually start off with the touch and hold areas as these are just past the entrance to the left. There’s usually a selection of rabbits and guinea pigs for children to hold, brush and feed.
After this, we wander around the paddocks looking at the goats, horses, cows, pigs and other animals.
We usually stop a few times on our way around to feed the animals and to have a play in the play areas.
This is then usually followed by lunch, which for us is a picnic, but the coffee shop and bistro also do food. Before we leave, the girls have a play in the indoor soft play area and then they usually chose a souvenir from the shop on the way out!
Cefn Mably isn’t huge, but I find that we usually spend around three hours there so it’s great for a morning of afternoon out.
Green Meadow Community Farm
I’m pretty sure I’ve been here when I was a child, but I know for sure that I haven’t taken our girls here yet. It was on my list of places that I wanted to take the girls to last year, but I just didn’t get around to it.
Green Meadow Community Farm is in Cwmbran so it’s about a 30 minute drive away. Green Meadow Farm has been a working farm for over 250 years. It’s set in over 120 acres, with a wide range of pedigree and rare breed animals which families can meet close up.
One of the things that most appeals to me about this farm is that they have daily activities such as milking demonstrations and tractor and trailer rides. They also have lots of additional activities during school holidays and seasonal events throughout the year too.
Under 2’s are free, over 2’s are £4.65 and adults are £5.75. You can also get a family ticket for £20.00 which would be for two adults and three children.
Warren Mill
I first visited Warren Mill Farm last year with our twins. Set in a quiet rural 40 acres of unspoilt countryside, this farm has a lovely old farmhouse dating back to the 17th century. Although this farm doesn’t have a soft play area, I found that it doesn’t really need one as there is plenty to do!
Suitable for all ages, Warren Mill Farm, really does offer children the chance to get up close to a variety of animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, sheep, goats, pigs, ponies, alpacas, llamas and our twins favourite the prairie dogs!
You can buy bags of animal feed to feed the animals which is another of the girls favourite things to do.
There’s lots of green open spaces for children to explore and there’s small park, as well as some picnic benches dotted around.
Thornhill Farm Shop
Thorn hill Farm Shop is very local to us. If I’m ever at a loose end and don’t really want to go far, Thornhill Farm Shop is our go to place.
This small farm shop is located just North of Cardiff and has a lovely coffee shop which serves lunch such as sandwiches and panini, as well as, cakes and hot drinks.
The shop itself sells home and locally produced meat, home grown fruit and vegetables, as well as cakes, preserves, pickles and meals, and quality produce.
Behind the shop and coffee shop is a small play area and animal paddock.
Thorn hill Farm Shop is a great meeting place with friends for lunch and a coffee, but also a great place to take the kids for a an hour or two.
Hendrewennol
Hendrewennol isn’t actually the kind of farm that you’ll find animals on. It’s a fruit picking farm and it’s one of my all time favourite places.
Hendrewennol is a family fun business. Children, and adults can pick a variety of fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and later in the year pumpkins and gooseberries!
Our twins love picking the fruit fresh from the bushes and collecting them in their baskets. After we’ve picked our fruit we tend to head over to the play area which has lots of picnic benches. There is a shop which sells hot and cold drinks, food and snacks as well as ice cream.
The play area has a sandpit and hay bales which the children really enjoy climbing on!
Amelia Trust
I didn’t get around to taking the girls here last year, so this is year it’s a must! Amelia Trust Farm is set in 160 acres of countryside, which includes 28 acres of woodlands and a variety of habitats.
There’s also a children’s play area, special trails and a cafe where you can enjoy light refreshments. I’m sure I came here with my parents when I was younger!
Whilst there is no entrance fee a suggested car parking fee donation is recommended.
Amelia Trust offers panoramic views and you can even treat yourself to a coffee and cake in the cafe! There’s also a picnic area if you’d prefer to bring your own food.
Animals such as pigs, sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens and more can be found on the farm too.
Walnut Tree Farm
Walnut Tree Farm appeals for many different reasons. As well as the animals, children can also go kart, go on tractor rides, play in the play areas and pet the animals. The farm also offers horse and pony rides.
The kind of animals you can expect to see here are rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, pigs, cattle, sheep, alpacas and even reindeers!
A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £15.
Have you been to any of the above farms? Which was your favourite?
7 Comments
Annie Omar
April 6, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Oh, I love strawberries. I never been on farm in UK it look like so much fun. Would love to go there x!
Theholygrail
April 6, 2016 at 6:06 pm
I'm based in Cardiff and there's a couple of these farms I haven't made it to yet. Love hendrewennol and cefn mably though. Great post #bloggerclubuk
Sarah Howe
April 6, 2016 at 6:43 pm
You have so many! Loads to choose from with so many different activities. For us the animal, space to walk and a good cafe is always a hit! Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
kerry norris
April 7, 2016 at 9:42 am
This is a great post. We love cefn mably. It's fab whatever the weather. Also really like hendrewennol although I can never find my way back from there x
busyworkingmummy.com
April 7, 2016 at 10:33 am
My little boy loves farms and his nursery is attached to one so they go there all the time. #bestandworst
myrealfairy.com
April 9, 2016 at 6:47 pm
wow, you've covered so may here, all so beautiful and with these large open spaces. What a great day out for families.
mainy – myrealfairy
#bestandworst
Jazmin Williams
April 9, 2016 at 11:09 pm
This is beautiful! I haven't been to a farm in SO long! x