West Lodge Rural Centre

General information

The Dee Family have been Farming at West Lodge for 3 generations. The working farm opened it's doors to the public 20 years ago and is now a place where families can spend the whole day enjoying farm life and the wonderful countryside around them. Children of all ages can meet and learn about our range of farm animals, including many rare breeds. They can handle the fluffy young chicks, rabbits and guinea pigs in Cuddle Corner and laugh at the antics of our pygmy goats on Goat Mountain. You can feed the ducks, groom a pony, watch and get involved in the ever popular piglet race, plus many more seasonal animal activities, such as lamb bottle feeding in the spring. There is plenty to see and do under cover too, with all activities and a good variety of penned animals on display in our many barns near the centre.

Walk one of the many nature trails, from quarter of a mile to three and a half, taking you through our conservation award-winning farm through woods, meadows, by streams and ponds enjoying the diversity of wildlife on the way. Look up you may see skylarks, lapwings and raptors and if you are very lucky you might even see a red kite. Closer to the ground look out for deer, hares, wild rabbits, foxes, badgers, voles and even grass snakes.

Back at the farm, children can work off their energy in indoor and outdoor play areas, build a shelter in the den-making area, as well as enjoying the free barrel ride which runs every hour. There is also, during the main season, a real tractor trailer tour of the farm available to book. Everyone can enjoy home cooked meals, snacks or tea and cakes in our Rickyard restaurant.