Disclaimer: We received free entry to Barleylands Farm Park in exchange for this review
My daughter and I took a trip to Barleylands Farm Park back in September last year for a birds of prey experience.
Recently, Barleylands Farm Park opened their new Nocturnal and Exotic House to the public.
We decided to go back and take a look.
Situated in Billericay, Essex, Barleylands Farm Park takes an hour to drive to from Tonbridge (depending on the Dartford Bridge, of course).
The farm park is situated inside the Barleylands craft village. Upon entry, you get a wristband which means you can come and go; just outside there is a tea room and a restaurant which has a selection of hot and cold meals, as well as small independent craft shops which are worth a visit.
Inside Barleylands Farm Park there are (unsurprisingly) farm animals, birds of prey, exotic animals, a tractor museum, outdoor play equipment including jumping pillows and climbing frames, and a play barn (soft play) to explore.
It’s not a massive area, but the park is certainly big enough to entertain children for quite a few hours – much longer if the weather is good or they love soft play – and there are ride-on tractors to ride around the park which was the highlight of the kids’ visit for sure.
Each day at Barleylands Farm Park there is a schedule of events including bird of prey displays and opportunities to meet and pet the various animals; the timings are given to you as you go in.
During school holidays, there are additional activities going on.
When we went during half term, it was very cold and quite windy (but, fortunately, not wet). I was also still recovering from tonsillitis, so rather than going for a whole day we arrived at around lunch time and spent the afternoon at the park.
This meant that we unfortunately missed most of the additional activities happening during the half term week, for example the lambing, where children could have a go at feeding the new born lambs at the farm.
We did take part in the sheep hunt, where you had to look for sheep around the park and write their names on a sheet.
We also watched a short version of the birds of prey display; it was just too windy to bring the owls out, but we got to meet a lovely kestrel and watch him fly.
The new Nocturnal and Exotic House at Barleylands Farm Park
The new Nocturnal and Exotic House is situated inside in the large barn connected to the the tractor museum/soft play barn.
Although a few of the exhibits are still awaiting their inhabitants (including the crocodile exhibit; my kids were not amused when I told them he must have escaped…) there are already bats, cute little sugar gliders, a skunk, a hedgehog and rats to see once your eyes have adjusted to the dark!
Above the tractor museum are the exotic animals including snakes, lizards, frogs and spiders.
I would definitely have liked to meet the critters close up, but the kids were not up for it! Bunch of wusses.
When I visited with my daughter, she showed no interest in the tractors at all. Conversely, we had a hard time prising my son away, which we did with promises of soft play.
The soft play barn is big with sack slides; my kids’ favourites. They have hot drinks and places for parents to sit, so I can imagine it being a good place t take little ones during the colder months.
When it’s warmer, there is plenty to do outside including go-karting and play equipment. You can purchase animal feed and hand feed the friendly farm animals in the barn.
If you are local then Barleylands Farm Park is definitely worth considering as a day out for young children. Ideally you would arrive earlier and make the most of your day including the activities; I have no doubt we could have spent longer there just in the soft play!
Entry prices
Currently (February 2020), a family of four can get entry to the park for £42, or £38.70 when booked in advance.
More details about Barleylands Farm Park can be found on their website; you can follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates.