Six animal farms in Kent to visit with the family
If you’ve got an animal lover in the family who’s always begging to bring home a new pet, a trip to the nearest farm could be one way to avoid your home being filled with stray cats and creepy crawlies.
Take the kids to meet friendly farmyard animals and learn more about what it takes to look after them at some of Kent’s animal sanctuaries and public farms…
BUTTERCUPS SANCTUARY FOR GOATS, Boughton Monchelsea
This quirky goat sanctuary is home to around 140 goats that have been rescued from all over Kent, London and Sussex. The animals here are all waiting to be rehomed but, in the meantime, they are spending their days on the farm where people can visit and sponsor them. You can take a stroll around the farm, or book an experience to brush the goats and walk with them and the volunteers.
Details: Open daily from 11am to 4pm, excluding Wednesdays, at Wierton Road in Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone. No booking required, £5 donation suggested.
EAGLE HEIGHTS, Eynsford
While this charity is primarily home to birds of prey, you can find many different types of animals here. There are daily flying displays where you can see eagles, owls, vultures and falcons and learn more about these majestic creatures from their expert handlers. You can also book experiences, such as hand-feeding the meerkats and taking a two-mile hike with the huskies.
Details: Open daily from 11am to 5pm at Lullingstone Lane in Eynsford, near Dartford. Adult tickets cost £14.95, book online here.
FRIEND FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY, East Peckham
This vegan-friendly sanctuary has been operating for more than 30 years, having taken in around 3,000 animals. The farm offers a free-roaming safe haven for rescue animals, such as pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, cows, goats, sheep and alpacas. The farm, which is currently home to 200 animals, hosts regular tours where you can visit the site, meet the animals and learn more about how to be more sustainable and give back to the planet.
Details: Tours available to book on Saturdays and Sundays at Bush Road in East Peckham, near Tonbridge. Email charity@friendfarmanimalsanctuary.org to book.
HUCKLEBERRY WOODS, Faversham
This rustic farm specialises in ‘miniature’ animals, so you can expect to see adorable micro pigs, teddy bear sheep and pygmy goats. These tiny animals are able to roam freely around the farm, but you can get up close to them with a host of different experiences. You can go on a miniature donkey walk, stroke the micro pigs in their pen and, when you’ve finished, there’s a cream tea available inside the vintage caravan.
Details: Open Thursday to Sunday, plus Tuesdays, from 10.30am to 3.30pm at Lower Road in Buckland, near Faversham. Adult tickets cost £10.50, book online here.
PRINCESS CHRISTIAN’S FARM, Hildenborough
Princess Christian’s Farm is a charity that provides life skills training for people with disabilities. The team at the farm help look after the site, which spreads out across more than 115 acres, and the animals, including rabbits, sheep, ponies and reptiles. The venue puts on various events that allow the public to visit, from open farm days to guided summer tours.
Details: Riding Lane in Hildenborough, near Tonbridge. Opening times and ticket prices vary depending on events, book online here.
RARE BREEDS CENTRE, Woodchurch
This is one place where you won’t be short on animals. There’s everything from sheep and lambs to guinea pigs and rabbits, as well as the butterfly tunnel and aviary. You can also follow the trail through the woodland walk, let the kids loose in the play areas and explore the gardens where seasonal flowers, fruits and vegetables will be growing.
Details: Open daily from 10am to 5pm at Highlands Farm in Woodchurch, near Ashford. Adult tickets cost £17.50, book online.