Farms and patches
Experience the countryside at its best, with animal encounters, hands-on farming activities and seasonal celebrations.
From bottle-feeding lambs and alpaca walks to family-friendly farm adventures, glamping stays and unique animal encounters, these destinations offer fun and educational days out for all ages.
Seasonal pumpkin patches provide the perfect opportunity to pick your own produce, enjoy outdoor activities and create lasting family memories.
Blackwater Alpacas and Pygmy Goats
Bradwell Trout Farm, Cut Hedge Lane, Bradwell, CM77 8FR
A smallholding which offers alpaca walking experiences, pygmy goat yoga and pilates, private farm and educational goat keeping tours.
Boydells Dairy Farm
Braintree Road, Braintree, CM7 4AQ
A small working farm, but unlike other farms offers guided tours and hands-on activities. Learn how to milk cows and bottle feed lambs as well as meet chicks, goats, kittens and more. Its opening times depend on the season.
Coggeshall Pumpkin Patch
Abbey Farm, Abbey Lane, Coggeshall, CO6 1RD
A farm and ‘pick your own’ pumpkin patch with spidery tunnels, wheelbarrows and wicked witches. The farm opens to visitors when the pumpkins are ready to harvest.
Gemma's Farm
Litluns Barn, The Green, White Notley, CM8 1RG
This family-friendly farm offers VIP experiences, glamping, fire pits, parties, and meet and greet experiences.
The farm is home to a range of traditional farm animals, as well as more unusual residents such as porcupines, meerkats, a genet and giant tortoises.
Otto's Pumpkin Patch
Cressing Lodge, Long Green, Cressing, Braintree, CM77 8DL
A family farm with a ‘pick your own’ pumpkin and squash patch. There are activities for children (free after admittance) and plenty of photo opportunities.
The patch opens to visitors when the fruits are ready (October) and booking ahead is essential.
Stantons Farm
Witham Road, Black Notley, CM77 8NH
A farm offering petting, farmer and alpaca walking experiences as well as micro-pig, goat, sheep, donkey, cow and alpaca ‘meet and greet’ sessions.
The farm is open for events, educational farm visits, birthdays and alpaca walking parties.
