Windmill Animal Farm
A friendly hands-on farm whose star turn is the miniature railway running out across the fields. Animal handling sessions, indoor play for wet spells, and it never feels too big.
Farms & animals Burscough
Farms & animals in Burscough
Working farms, animal parks and safaris. Usually the bit they actually remember.
3 in Burscough1 indoor3 suit under-5s
If you only do one of these, make it WWT Martin Mere: otters at feeding time, flamingos, pond dipping and, in season, a canoe safari through the reeds. Windmill Animal Farm is smaller and more hands-on, with a miniature railway running out across the fields and indoor play for wet spells, and both run on a day ticket, though WWT members get into Martin Mere free. The Farm on Martin Lane does not publish a price for its farm walk, so ring ahead, then expect a flat loop past the lake, the free range hens, the goats, the alpacas and two donkeys called Walter and Tommy.
Farms & animals in Burscough
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
Otters at feeding time, flamingos, pond dipping and a canoe safari through the reeds in season. One of those places that quietly turns a nature-indifferent child into a nature child.
The Farm Burscough
A working farm on Martin Lane out in the Burscough mossland, with a flat circular walk past the lake, the hens, the goats, the alpacas and two donkeys called Walter and Tommy. The tea room is a restored barn.
Farms & animals elsewhere in the North West
Apple Jacks Adventure Farm
Farm animals, outdoor play and indoor barns, so a wet forecast doesn't cancel the day. Well matched to the 3-8 age range.
Knowsley Safari
Drive through the reserve from the car, then the sea lion and birds of prey shows. Reviews are split on value, and several warn that families expect a full zoo and find fewer headline animals, so set expectations first.
Chester Zoo
Excellent, but it is a lot of walking. Reviews rate 5 to 10 as the ideal age and still recommend a pushchair at four. Climbing frames, water play and sand pits break up the distance.
Smithills Open Farm
A proper hands-on farm day: bottle feeding, donkey rides, a tractor trailer tour and small animal handling, with enough under cover to survive drizzle. Built for the under-9s.
Blackpool Zoo
Elephants, gorillas, giraffes and sea lions in 37 acres that are actually walkable with primary-age legs - big enough to feel like a full day, small enough that nobody ends up carried.
Farmer Ted's Adventure Farm
Built precisely for the under-9s: animal encounters, giant jumping pillows, tractor rides and a big indoor play barn that rescues wet days. Older siblings will tolerate it; little ones adore it.
What’s on near you, every Friday
One email a week: what is on this weekend within a sensible drive, and the places worth booking before they go.