For the last couple of years I’ve taken my two sons to lambing days. They’re great Spring events on farms where children get to hold newborn lambs. Facilities will vary at each place so I’ve put together a list of the ones I know about with what you can expect. Whichever one you go to make sure you all wear wellies as the farms can be very muddy. I’m always keen to highlight cheaper places to visit so if you know of others do email me the details laura@miltonkeyneskids.com. With any of the events I’ve featured please do check their social media channels for up to date information – I obviously can’t be responsible if they’re cancelled at short notice for any reason. Don’t forget to take cash! At smaller farms you won’t be able to pay by card.
Manor Farm, Wilstead – 18th March
Definitely the cheapest and smallest size wise of the lambing days, there’s an event at Manor Farm in Wilstead in Bedfordshire on 18th March. It’s on between 11am and 3pm. Entry is £2 per adult and £1 per child. This year there are 460 ewes to lamb and 1,000 baby lambs expected. There’ll also be a BBQ (vegetarian options available), hot and cold drinks,homemade cakes and bakes, balloons, tombolas, name the lamb, face painting and tattoos. We’ve been to it a couple of years running. It does get really busy with big queues for food. This is a proper working farm so think portaloos and few facilities – not great for a buggy. There are some seats but it attracts a lot of people so don’t expect to sit down. The address is Elms Lane, Wilstead, MK45 3DS. From memory that postcode may not get you quite there – so if it doesn’t keep driving and you should see the signs / other cars.
Watergate Farm, Hockliffe – selected weekends in March and April
Watergate Farm in Hockliffe opens up its gates for a number of lambing days. We’ve been a couple of times in the last few years. It’s a big farm with 2000 sheep due to give birth. They also have tractor rides, pigs, sheep shearing and a BBQ. One year the weather was beautiful and it was so busy. If it’s the same then be prepared to queue to get in. The queues for food and face-painting were also huge so if you have hungry children then it’s worth taking a back-up picnic and blankets and or chairs – it’s a working farm so it’s not like there are benches to sit on. The dates are 24th & 25th March, 30th & 31st March, 1st & 2nd April, 7th & 8th April and 14th & 15th April. 10.30am – 4pm. Details on their website. Adults £5, children £4.
Thrift Farm, Milton Keynes – 7th April
*** CANCELLED *** THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO HEAVY RAIN. Please check their social media pages for details on visiting at other times.
There’s a one-off event taking place at Thrift Farm in Milton Keynes on Saturday 7th April. We’ve visited Thrift Farm a lot over the last couple of years. It’s much less commercialised than some of the bigger farms aimed at children – and also a lot cheaper. There are quite a few different animals to see including pigs, lots of chickens, goats, guinea pigs, ponies and rhea. My boys also enjoy a climb-on tractor that they pretend to drive as well as a few ride-ons. There is a play barn but when we last visited in February 2018 we noted it could really do with an update. There’s a spacious, modern cafe that includes a play area which has toys and books which younger children will enjoy. It’s worth a visit at any time of the year. On the lambing event there will also be talks from the farmer, hog roast, BBQ, face painting and a bouncy castle. You can see pictures and read our previous review of Thrift Farm here. Normal prices are £5 adult, £2.50 child or £12.50 for a family of 4.
I'm Laura, mum of two boys - aged six and four. I started this website at the end of Sept 2015 whilst on maternity leave. I now work four days a week and do this blog late at night once the little boys are sleeping. It's won several awards over the last four years and I continue to run it for free and mostly focus on free, cheap, and good value days out. Do drop me an email laura@miltonkeyneskids.com if you want to contact me. Don't forget to follow all of our latest adventures on facebook, instagram and twitter and have a look at all of the videos of the places we visit on the Milton Keynes Kids YouTube Channel - subscribe to it for notifications every time I add a new place. And remember... you may been reading this post months after we visited, do check with the destination you're visiting for up to date opening times and prices. If you find this blog useful then please do comment on my posts and leave me a Facebook review - it makes doing this all the more worthwhile.