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
An adventure farm off Stretton Road built for 4 to 12s: tractor trailer rides, zip wires, drop slides, jumping pillows, roller skating and a tent full of inflatables. Despite the name there are no animals to see, and in October it turns into Spooky World's daytime Fun-By-Day.
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 hands-on farm above Bolton: pets corner, meet-and-greet sessions, tractor and trailer rides, donkey rides and a zoo zone, with activities timetabled through the day. Open every day of the year bar three, and £45 for a family of four.
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.