5 of the best farms to visit in Suffolk
Sometimes, nothing beats a day out in nature, and what better place to do so than at a farm? Surrounded by animals, birdsong, and home-grown local products on offer, farmyard fun can be a fantastic choice when you’re looking for something memorable to do.
As Suffolk is a county famous for its farming (with around 75% of land used in agriculture, according to the Suffolk County Council), it’s the perfect place to look for fun farms open to the public. In this post, we’ll share with you five of our favourite Suffolk farms to visit, whether you’re a local or visiting on a British countryside holiday.
Which farms can you visit in Suffolk?
Let’s take a look at five brilliant Suffolk farms just waiting to open their gates to you and your family or friends (because farm days out aren’t just for kids!).
Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park
One of the most well-known farms in England sits right here in Suffolk. Jimmy’s Farm was founded by Jimmy Doherty, a farmer, conservationist, entomologist, and famous TV presenter, and has extended into a full wildlife park over the years. With a huge range of over 100 species and breeds of working farm animals and exciting critters to see (including brown bears, polar bears, wolves and camels), you won’t be disappointed with the amazing wildlife ready to be discovered.
The farm boasts amazing animal experiences and talks, a 100-acre woodland to walk through, a fantastic adventure playground, a giant bouncy pillow and sandpit, a farm shop bursting with local and farm-grown produce, and a restaurant serving food from the farm’s butcher and vegetable patches. Bring the family or your friends and spend a day exploring this incredible farm, and keep an eye on their website for their fun and unique events throughout the year.
Location
Jimmy’s Farm is in Wherstead, a 10 to 15 minute drive south of Ipswich town centre.
Opening times
Open 7 days a week
Summer season (24th March – 24th October): 9:30am – 5pm, last entry 4pm
Winter season (25th October – 23rd March): 9:30am – 4pm, last entry 3pm
Entry cost
Prebooked tickets: Adult – £23 | Child – £18.50 | Senior (60+) – £21 | Student and disabled – £18.50 | Under 2 – Free | Carers – Free
On the day tickets: Adult – £25 | Child – £120 | Senior (60+) – £23 | Student and disabled – £20 | Under 2 – Free | Carers – Free
Hollow Trees Farm
This beautiful farm just outside of Ipswich has everything you need for a wonderful day out, with its farm trail at the front and centre. Walk the trail and discover friendly farm animals, including pigs, chickens, cows, goats, donkeys, and even their herd of fuzzy alpacas! The trail also features parks to play on, mini tractors, a fairy garden, a giant’s chair with a fab view of the farm, and so much more to see and do. If you choose to visit during the summer holidays, you’ll even find barrel train rides, football golf, cresta run sledges, and their new Wild Walk.
Once you’ve had your fill of farmyard fun, head to the farm cafe and enjoy breakfasts, sandwiches, toasties, jacket potatoes, filling main meals, cakes, treats, and other delicious food, all made using ingredients from the farm or local growers. Finish your trip at the farm shop to stock up on fresh local produce to take home.
Location
Hollow Trees Farm is in Semer, a 20 to 25 minute drive west of Ipswich town centre.
Opening times
Farm trail (subject to weather): Open 7 days a week, 10am – 5pm, last entry 3pm
Farm cafe: Monday – Saturday, 8:30am – 5pm | Sunday, 9am – 4:30pm (last orders 3pm)
Farm shop: Monday – Saturday, 8:30 – 5:45pm | Sunday and bank holidays, 9am – 5pm
Entry cost
Prebooked tickets: Anyone aged 2+ – £6.50 (£8.50 during summer holidays) | Under 2 – Free
Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm
This working livestock farm has all the charm and calm of a classic Suffolk farm. Use the fenced pathways that follow the riverbank, along the lake edge, and through the animal paddocks to see the animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, and alpacas, many of them rare breeds not often seen. With the free bag of animal food given to each child upon arrival at the farm, your family can feed the friendly livestock all day long. Even more exciting is that some of the rare kunekune pigs will actually sit when told and open up their mouths for a snack!
When you’re ready to relax, head to the visitors’ centre and enjoy some delicious local food, from homemade soups to a Suffolk clotted cream tea. This farm has a playground with tyres to climb, a slide, swings, and more to enjoy for a bit of play time.
Location
Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm is in Baylham, a 12 to 15 minute drive south of Stowmarket town centre.
Opening times
Open seven days a week, 10am – 5pm
Entry cost
On the day tickets (off-peak): Adult – £11 | Senior (65+) – £10 | Child – £7 | Child concession – £6.50 | Under 4 – Free | Carer – Free | Family (2 adults, 1 child) – £28 (+£6 per additional child)
On the day tickets (peak, e.g. school holidays): Adult – £13 | Senior (65+) – £12 | Child – £9 | Child concession – £8.50 | Under 4 – Free | Carer – Free | Family (2 adults, 1 child) – £34 (+£8 per additional child)
Summer holiday tickets are priced at the off-peak rate but with 10% off throughout the holiday.
Easton Farm Park
Easton Farm Park is a lovely day out with children, with plenty of friendly farm animals to pet, a playground with big swings and a zipline for imaginative adventures, a giant bounce pillow for burning energy, and plenty more to see and explore. Highland cows, fluffy rabbits, huge Suffolk Punch horses and a whole host of other farm animals are waiting to greet you, with activities running almost every day for those who would like to hold or care for some of the critters.
Jump on board the sheep shuttle ride, or give the tractor rides a go during the summer! If the weather isn’t so great during your visit, then head inside the barn where you’ll find soft play areas for kids to enjoy. Check the website throughout the year to see which seasonal activities they have on offer, such as foam parties and a splash pool during the summer holidays. Buy a summer pass and have access to the farm and its seasonal events all season long.
The farm has a lovely cafe that not only offers meals and snacks, but also picnic lunches that you can take with you to enjoy on one of the farm’s picnic benches or on a nice grassy spot. You can also bring your own food if you’d like to save some pennies.
Location
Easton Farm Park is in Easton, a 15 minute drive north of Woodbridge town centre.
Opening times
Open seven days a week, 10am – 5pm
Entry cost
Pre-booked tickets: Anyone aged 2+ – £12.95 | Under 2 – Free | Carer (with paying disabled child or adult) – Free | Family of 4 – £48 | Family of 5 – £60
The Suffolk Punch Trust
A little different to the other farms on our list, but still just as fun, is The Suffolk Punch Trust. The trust is home to mostly Suffolk Punch horses, an impressive and incredibly large breed of horse from Suffolk, which is unfortunately critically endangered. The trust is dedicated to preservation, conservation, education, and providing a beautiful open space for the horses, other animals, and the public who visit. Stop by and meet the funny donkeys, rare kunekune pigs, gorgeous red poll cows, sweet Shetland ponies, and all of the beautiful Suffolk horses.
When you visit, you’ll discover horse demonstrations, tractor rides, guided tours, a heritage garden, exciting play areas, fun walking trails, a pet paddock with friendly animals to stroke, and even a museum to explore the trust’s history. Relax at the cafe and enjoy delicious home-cooked food with a view of the stables, which is even better when seated in the outdoor covered terrace area. A truly wonderful day out, this place is a very special, very Suffolk experience.
Location
The Suffolk Punch Trust is in Hollesley, a 15 minute drive southwest of Woodbridge town centre.
Opening times
Visit their website to find which days they are open, as it varies from week to week.
Entry cost
Access to the visitor centre, heritage garden, museum, cafe, play areas, and gift shop is free, whereas entry to the farm requires a ticket.
On the day tickets: Adult – £13 | Child – £7.50 | Senior (65+) – £10.50 | Under 2 – Free | Family (2 adults, 2 children) – £34 | Single Family (1 adult, 2 children) – £26
Special price: Entry is half price on Saturdays
Suffolk farms for a fun day out
Are you ready to spend the day with friendly farm animals, exciting adventure play areas, and a good helping of education? Any of these excellent farms makes the perfect day out for those visiting Suffolk. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Suffolk to make your journey to the farm quick and easy, we’ve got you covered. Our selection of stunning Suffolk holiday homes features properties scattered across the county, each suited to all sorts of different requirements. From families of five to couples to large groups of friends, our properties can house them all.
Want to start your day with some brunch before heading to your farm of choice? Check out our best Suffolk brunch spots post for the most delicious places to tuck into brunch.
