We used sat nav, but as we got close, sat nav wanted to send us in a different direction to the brown signs pointing to Smithills Country Park. We decided to follow the signs, and this turned out to be the correct decision. The farm signs weren't great however. We missed the turning for the entrance, as from the side we approached (turning right into the gate) there was only a sign for Smithills Hall. After we'd driven past, looking back I saw a sign for the farm. Luckily there was a little turning place; presumably we're not the first to have made this mistake. Once we'd driven into the park, we found another sign. However, the arrow wasn't particularly clear, and at first we took the left, rather than the right fork. Finding our way blocked, we backtracked and drove up a road that looked as if it would just lead to a housing estate. Continuing, we arrived at the farm, and found our way to the car park. Clearer and more frequent signage would definitely not go amiss.
The car park was busier than I'd expect for a cold Monday in term time. At the ticket desk, we paid £7 for each adult, Baby was free. The girl on the desk offered donkey rides, tractor rides and animal feed for an additional charge, but we declined. Walking round, it was very clear that the animals are used to being fed by visitors, they would stick their heads above and through fences as soon as we even thought about walking past them.
By the entrance there was a large board with the times of various activities happening that day. We saw one other visitor taking a photo on her phone, which proved a good idea as an aide memoire.
We were given a map when we bought our tickets, but it wasn't particularly useful. I found it a tad confusing as entrances/exits/through routes for each of the barns weren't noted. After walking round, I could just about understand it, but if I was using it to navigate to a specific barn I think I would have struggled.
We first walked through an animal barn containing pigs, alpacas, horses and sheep. Baby looked, but didn't seem particularly interested. It was freezing cold so I'd decided to put her in the pram rather than the carrier, perhaps this meant she was less engaged.
Through the other side of the barn we could see the toilets, so I took Baby to be changed. Clean nappy on, we found the cafe, for some much needed warmth. Burgers, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, toasties, plus breakfasts, all at very reasonable prices. The food took longer to arrive than expected, but at least that suggests it was freshly cooked. The egg from Grandpa's egg and bacon barm was also missing, but we didn't want to wait another twenty minutes for them to redo it, so he just ate his eggless barm. The cafe was not that big, around twelve to fifteen tables from memory. When we arrived, at 12pm, we took the last table. By the time we left there were a handful of free tables, but I can imagine that at peak times at weekends and during holidays it's very difficult to get a table. There did seem to be plenty of highchairs available and there were some picnic tables outside.
Baby was too little to ride the donkeys, but as no-one was riding them, we took Baby over for a look. All three looked very sad, but then as every Winnie the Pooh fan knows, that does tend to be their natural expression. We could hear a talk being given whilst the cows were being milked so we walked into that barn, but there were steps up to the viewing platform (though only a handful) so I didn't take Baby's pram up there. This barn also housed lots of calves and a couple of very inquisitive llama, who were interested in chewing Baby's pram, when no animal feed was forthcoming. There were also goats, donkeys and lambs.
As we made our way through the barn, the staff told us that Pets Corner was about to start, if we wanted to join in. I was a bit dubious about this, as previous experience Pets Corners has involved one animal being held by staff while it is mobbed by lots of boisterous children. This one was different, and much more organised and calm (for the most part). Bales of hay around the edge provided seating, with just one step up so we kept Baby in her pram and took a seat.
First up were some lambs. Bottles were handed out to visitors, (including Grandma), and then the lambs were let loose. They clearly know the drill as they were racing around to find the bottles. Staff kept an eye on them and once a lamb had finished a bottle, it was scooped up and put back in its pen, to ensure that all the lambs were able to feed. The staff then collected the empty bottles in. I'm glad I kept Baby in her pram for this bit as the lambs were very energetic.
Next was a baby goat. The staff brought him round to each family one at a time, allowing them a minute or so to stroke the goat. I took Baby out of her pram and used her hand to stroke it, and she loved it. Further animals introduced in this manner included a baby donkey, piglet, and even an owl. There was also a snake, which was draped over four unsuspecting volunteers in the middle of the barn, and children were invited up to touch it. Mummy does not like snakes so Grandma took a very brave Baby to stroke it. Baby was more interested in stroking the fur collar on the lady holding the snake!
At the end, the staff brought out chicks and handed them out to each family. We declined, as Baby wasn't quite ready to be holding animals by herself. Rabbits were also offered, we just let Baby stroke one being held by a member of staff briefly, rather than actually taking one to hold.
Staff had made sure to reiterate the importance of hand washing, so we took Baby to wash her hands before finding the weird and wonderful section, and Meerkat Mountain. Back in her pram, Baby was unable to see most of the weird and wonderful animals (owls, skunks, coati among others) because of the mesh enclosures, and because they weren't particularly easy to distinguish from their surroundings, colourwise. On our first walk past there were no meerkats to be seen, and although one had appeared when we walked back down, the walls were too high for Baby to see over in her pram.
We visited the cow barn, which also contained goats and horses, before starting to walk around the field enclosures. Unfortunately the terrain proved too much for our pram, and so we turned back, although I don't think we really missed much, as the animals in these enclosures weren't particularly close to the fences and so would have been difficult for Baby to see.
All in all, a nice little farm for a day out, with the added bonus of the well organised Pets Corner giving Baby a new experience.
Key facts:
Month of visit:
February
Weather for visit:
Very very cold, but dry.
Is it pushchair friendly?
Yes. The main barns have wide paths that pose no problems for a pushchair. The enclosures further out (behind the cow barn) had more gravelly paths, and I turned back, as pushing along there was proving too difficult.
How are the baby changing facilities?
I was very disappointed with the facilities. There were two sets of baby changing, one next to the women's toilets and one next to the men's, though when I used them, I didn't realise there was a second room. I had to leave the pram outside the one in the ladies as I couldn't get it in, and close the door, which was a very wide door. Equally, I had to walk in, then close the door, before I could put the baby changing unit down. Thankfully Grandpa was on hand to hold onto the pram while Grandma and I changed Baby.
Next challenge was the baby changing unit itself. Covered in dried mud, and requiring a good clean before I could put Baby down. To clean it, Grandma had to use the tap, the water from which was icy cold. As someone who prefers to use cotton wool and water rather than wipes (and indeed had forgotten wipes this day!), this was not good. Additionally, it was so cold in there (no heating) that Baby was shivering even before I'd started to undress her. Next time I'd change Baby in the car. It might not be any warmer but it would definitely be cleaner. When we discovered the second set of baby changing by the gents we had a quick look, but unfortunately that room wasn't any cleaner.
What about somewhere to feed?
Freezing cold with nowhere to sit in the baby changing, so I fed in the cafe. It's only a small cafe however, so if there was a queue for tables I would have felt a bit time pressured.
Is it worth a visit?
Yes, especially if you have mobile children, who can get involved in feeding, milking, tractor rides etc. Even for Baby the Pets Corner proved a big success. I'd imagine it gets very busy at weekends though.
Baby's highlight?
Pets Corner.
Smithills Open Farm
Smithills Dean Road,
Bolton,
Greater Manchester,
BL1 7NR
http://www.smithillsopenfarm.co.uk/index.php
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