Therapeutic, educational, and cute as anything – a trip to a petting farm has something to offer all ages from tiny babies to stressed-out teens to distracted adults.
Manchester has loads of places to get up close with animals and reconnect with nature, ranging from the free-entry petting farms at Heaton Park and Wythenshawe Park, to full days out at places like Tatton Park and Smithills Open Farm.
Toddlers love seeing all those farm animals they’ve been singing about in real life. Imagine laying your eyes a horse or a chicken for the first time – a farm really is a place of wonder when you’re with little ones. While older kids can learn about food production and animal biology and even have a go at being a farmer themselves.
And who doesn’t love stroking something small and winsome and furry? Before cat cafes and puppy yoga there were petting farms. (And most of them have coffee on hand too).
-
OldhamCockfields Farm Park
More detailsCockfields Farm Park, in the countryside between Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne, is a young child’s idea of the perfect day out.
-
PrestwichHeaton Park
More detailsIf you’re craving greenery but don’t want to stray too far out of the city, Heaton Park, on the Manchester-Bury border, is one of your best options.
-
ReddishReddish Vale Farm
More detailsIan Brown, take note. Reddish Vale Farm, on the Stockport side of Manchester, has everything you could want to keep little ones entertained, including a beach.
-
BoltonSmithills Open Farm
More detailsIf you’ve ever wondered what you call a baby alpaca, or which is the biggest and most ferocious owl in the world, Smithills Open Farm near Bolton is your place to find out.
-
KnutsfordTatton Park
More detailsTatton Park is a historic estate on the edge of Knutsford, home to an opulent neo-classical mansion, landscaped gardens, woodland, a farm, a huge deer park and a medieval Old Hall.
-
WythenshaweWythenshawe Park
More detailsWythenshawe Park is so much more than just a playground and a bit of green space. For a start, there’s a lot of green space – 109 hectares to be precise, and it’s a mix of woodland, open grassland and wildflower meadows. (Also the playground is one of the better ones.)
