We arrived and after a quick toilet pit-stop we began the check-in process, you check-in safely from the comfort of your car. The staff check you in and provide you with any goodies bags you purchased when booking online. The goody bags were jammed full of animal-related items, we received a pencil, mask, toy, puzzle and a jigsaw. At check-in, you can also purchase animal feed which I would highly recommend you buy! Plus sweets if you fancy some. You then drive through the first barn and listen to the safety song along with dancing Annie who waves you off on your safari!
You then set off on the Farm Safari driving through the Paddocks. The Paddocks are a feeding zone, so animal feed can be thrown from your window to the animals. Other feeding zones are available en route and are clearly marked. This was great for us as the goats were at the far side of the paddock but once they heard the rustle of the feed bag they were straight over to us and feeding from our hands which the kids loved.
There are animals on both sides of the car so if you have 2 or more children with you they will not feel like they are missing out. As the speed limit on the safari is only 5mph both our children were unbuckled so could easily move to the right side of the car to see the animals as we stopped.
The clearly signed route takes you around past the lamas and goats onto the viewpoint which had spectacular views across Ingleborough and Pendle. The view was also clearly signed so you knew what you were looking at plus there was extra information on the sign which my older child really enjoyed.
As well as the many amazing animals there are lots of other fun things for you to do on the Farm Safari. We learnt about the Witches of Pendle, fossils and stone in the Quarry and who lives in the Pond!
Next up we met the Alpacas and then headed into the Deer Park. On arrival at the Deer park, there was another member of staff waiting to give us some additional information on the Deer. Did you know that the stag’s horns fall off every year and grow back with one extra point? I certainly didn’t!
This is where to food came in most handy, the guide told us the small deer were very timid and so stayed in the safety of the centre of the field but yet again once the bag was ruffled we were met by not only the Red Deer but the smaller timid ones also!
After the Deer Park, you enter “The Wood” where you can spot Little Red Riding Hood, The Big Bad Wolf and their friends before heading to the Pond. We spent ages trying to spot a frog but unfortunately, we could only see ducks on our visit!
As you drive through Oxclose Field you will be up close and personal with the cows and sheep who wander freely in this area, you can also admire the amazing views which look towards Malham Cove and the Yorkshire 3 peaks. Again we were greeted by a member of staff who told us all about Longhorn Cattle, Thornton Hall’s Bull and all his calves we were about to see. The Bull was so huge it only took the kids seconds to spot him! The kids had a great time trying to count all the calves and see what a busy boy their Dad had been!
Then we were faced with “The Big Dipper Hill” and of course if the sign says put your hands up then that is what the Mini-Mumblers would do! It really was a tummy turner.
We finished off the safari with a drive fast the Emus and little Miss’ favourite the Shetland Pony- Super cute!
We were booked onto the 10.30 safari and it took approximately an hour to drive around so of course the kids now thought it was lunchtime! Fear not Thornton Hall’s Rooster Takeaway is open. All we had to do was park up, ring through our order (the menu is on the back of the farm map you are handed at check-in) and wait for our food to be delivered to the car. It was super quick service and we were enjoying a pizza, chicken burger and hotdog in no time! The pizza is definitely big enough for 2 children to share. We also ordered a couple of coffees and they were the nicest coffee I have had in a long time (yes I know we haven’t been out for 4 months but they really were lovely!) Our meal cost £21 and included 4 meals and 2 drinks. There are no tables to sit at but we enjoyed our car picnic!
Caffeine hit drunk and tummies full we headed for home, the kids happily chatting about all the animals they had seen that morning and then arriving home and creating their own farm safari with all the animals they could find in our house!
Please be aware that toilets are available prior to you checking in and after your farm safari only.
PRICES
1-3 people per vehicle £20.00
4-6 people per vehicle £25.00
7 people per vehicle £30.00
Price shown is per vehicle based on the number of people in the car/vehicle.
Please note that the people in the car should be from the same household as per the government’s guidelines.
Children 18 months and under are free of charge. Please do not include them in the total amount of people in the vehicle.
Please be aware that your vehicle will be checked for the amount of people against your booking.
What else do you need to know:
*Mumbler was not paid for this review, although we were given free entry. All views and opinions expressed are our own and are open and honest.