Smithills Open Farm
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Smithills Open Farm

4.7
·5k reviews·, United Kingdom

An interactive farm experience with diverse animals, milking demos, and delicious homemade ice cream. Fun for all ages!

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more animal interaction

CrowdLow
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Smithills Open Farm

Smithills Open Farm

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more animal interaction

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An interactive farm experience with diverse animals, milking demos, and delicious homemade ice cream. Fun for all ages!

4.7
(5k reviews)

"The best, most interactive farm we have ever been to! We loved it here."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Interactive Animal Fun

Feed and pet a wide range of animals; it's a highlight for kids!

🍦 Taste the Farm Freshness

Don't miss the amazing homemade milk and ice cream!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 4,779 reviews

Type

Ranch

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Animal Encounters

Animal Encounters

Petting Corner & Animal Pens

Get up close and personal! Feed, pet, and hold a variety of gentle farm animals, from lambs to goats.

TikTok+1
Milking Demonstrations

Milking Demonstrations

Milking Parlour

Witness the fascinating process of cow milking and learn about dairy production. Educational and engaging for all ages.

Reddit
Fresh Milk & Ice Cream

Fresh Milk & Ice Cream

Farm Shop

Savor delicious, locally produced ice cream and milkshakes made right on the farm. A sweet treat you won't want to miss!

TikTokReddit
Donkey & Tractor Rides

Donkey & Tractor Rides

Designated Ride Areas

Enjoy fun rides that kids (and adults!) will love, adding an extra layer of excitement to your farm visit.

InstagramReddit
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Planning Your Visit

Book Ahead for Peak Times

While Smithills Open Farm is generally affordable, booking tickets online in advance can save time, especially during school holidays or weekends. This ensures entry and avoids potential queues at the ticket office. TikTok

Dress for Farm Fun

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on uneven farm terrain. Layers are recommended as farm weather can change. Bring wipes or hand sanitizer for easy clean-up after interacting with animals. TikTok

Best Times

When
Weekdays, mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more animal interaction
Crowd
Low
When
Weekends, afternoons
Why
Lively atmosphere, all activities running
Crowd
Medium
When
School holidays
Why
Special events, but busier
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

My heart is so full 🥹😭🫶🏻 📍 @Smithills Open Farm #pettingzoo #farm #smithillsfarm #manchester
@itsheatherbell
55.6K likes • 527K views

🎯 Interactive Animal Fun

Feed and pet a wide range of animals; it's a highlight for kids! TikTokInstagram+1

🍦 Taste the Farm Freshness

Don't miss the amazing homemade milk and ice cream! TikTokReddit

Seorang peternak di Smithills Open Farm, Bolton, Inggris, punya cara unik untuk meningkatkan produksi susu sapi. Ia mengundang band jazz The Dixiebeats untuk tampil langsung di depan kawanan sapi jenis Jersey dan Holstein. Selama 30 menit, band itu memainkan lagu cepat dan lambat, dan para sapi tampak menikmati musiknya. Peternak muda Caitlyn Horrocks (25) mengatakan ide ini muncul setelah membaca...
@soloposofficial
28K likes • 243K views
📍 Smithills Open Farm, Bolton, BL1 7NS 🫏 Donkey rides 🐐 Animal feeding 🐥 Animal petting 🍦 Homemade milk, milkshakes and ice cream 🥅 Lots of parks The best, most interactive farm we have ever been to! We loved it here. 😍 Follow @thepiecesofparenthood for more❣️ @smithills_open_farm #farm #openfarm #daysout #daysoutwithkids #toddler #baby #mum #motherhood #parenthood #thingstodo #animalfee...
thepiecesofparenthood
113 likes • 8.1K views

🚜 Rides for Everyone

Enjoy donkey and tractor rides for an extra dose of farm fun. InstagramReddit

📚 Educational Talks

Attend informative talks about the animals and farm life. Reddit

Smithills Open Farm in Bolton celebrated a very special delivery. Now, they are ready to celebrate their joy with you. Read the full story on our website (link in bio) 🐴
the_bolton_news
101 likes • 4.4K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Interactive Animal Fun

Feed and pet a wide range of animals; it's a highlight for kids! TikTokInstagram+1

🍦 Taste the Farm Freshness

Don't miss the amazing homemade milk and ice cream! TikTokReddit

🚜 Rides for Everyone

Enjoy donkey and tractor rides for an extra dose of farm fun. InstagramReddit

📚 Educational Talks

Attend informative talks about the animals and farm life. Reddit

👟 Wear Comfy Shoes

You'll be walking a lot, so comfortable footwear is a must. TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.7
(5k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Smithills Open Farm for its incredibly interactive animal experiences and educational value, making it a top choice for family days out. The farm's fresh milk and ice cream are frequently highlighted as delicious treats. While most experiences are positive, a few reviews mention customer service issues, suggesting occasional inconsistencies.

"We visited Smithills Open Farm during the school holidays with the kids, and it was such a fantastic day out! The highlight was seeing the full process of how cows are milked and how the milk is stored — really fascinating and educational. The children loved getting hands-on, feeding the cows and other farm animals, and learning more about farm life.

There are so many activities for kids, and it’s a great balance of fun and education. The staff were friendly and made the experience engaging for both children and adults. Overall, a brilliant day out for families — highly recommend!"

Mohamed Imran Khilji

"Love this place, but if something for all of us. Getting so close to the cows isn't something kids from the city get to do that often and it's great. Staff seem to love their jobs and It does make it extra enjoyable.

Some of the other local farms are good for an hour or two but we regularly spend 4-5 hours here"

Gareth

"We visited Smithy Open Farm last month as a family, and it was a truly wonderful experience. The farm is well-kept and full of charm, and the animals are all very gentle and friendly — perfect for children to interact with. From calves and lambs to many other farm animals, you can really enjoy close-up encounters and even watch the process of milk production, which was fascinating to see.

There are plenty of activities for children and families, and feeding the animals is made easy with affordable feed available on-site. It’s both fun and educational, giving kids the chance to experience farm life in an authentic and enjoyable way.

One of the highlights for us was trying the farm’s own freshly made yogurt — it was absolutely delicious and highly recommended!

Overall, it’s a fantastic place for a family day out, especially with young children. Warm atmosphere, well-cared-for animals, and plenty to see and do — we’ll definitely be coming back again."

Kris

What People Like

Interactive animal encounters
Educational farm process
Delicious fresh ice cream

What People Dislike

Occasional customer service issues

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Smithills Open Farm is located in Bolton. You can drive and park for free on-site. Public transport options include taking a bus from Bolton town centre, which takes about 20 minutes. TikTokInstagram

Yes, Smithills Open Farm offers free parking for visitors. Instagram

Yes, you can take a bus from Bolton town centre to reach the farm, with the journey taking approximately 20 minutes. Instagram

The address is Smithills Dean Rd, Bolton BL1 7NS. Instagram

While specific accessibility details aren't widely published, farms generally have uneven terrain. It's advisable to contact the farm directly for the most up-to-date accessibility information. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices typically range from £11 for children (2-16 years) to £13 for adults. Children under 2 often get in free. Family tickets are also available. Instagram

Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak times like school holidays, to secure your entry and potentially save time. TikTok

Smithills Open Farm is usually open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It's always best to check their official website for the most current hours. Instagram

While specific discount codes aren't always advertised, keep an eye on their social media or local deal sites. Some TikTok videos mention 'PR invites', suggesting potential collaborations. TikTok

Refund policies can vary. It's advisable to check the terms and conditions at the time of booking or contact the farm directly for their policy on cancellations or rescheduling. TikTok

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can see a wide variety of animals including cows, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, rabbits, chicks, and more. There are opportunities to feed and pet many of them. TikTokInstagram+1

Absolutely! There are petting areas, donkey rides, tractor rides, and opportunities to feed animals, making it very engaging for young children. InstagramReddit

Yes, you can feed many of the animals. Animal feed is available for purchase on-site, making it easy to interact closely. TikTokReddit

The milking demonstration shows the full process of how cows are milked and how the milk is stored, offering an educational insight into farm life. Reddit

Yes, the farm features several parks and play areas for children to enjoy. InstagramReddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there are on-site shops where you can purchase refreshments, including delicious locally produced ice cream and milkshakes. TikTokReddit

While specific policies aren't always stated, many farms allow visitors to bring their own picnics. It's best to confirm this with the farm directly. Reddit

The farm's own fresh milk and ice cream are highly praised by visitors for being delicious and a must-try. TikTokReddit

Food options can vary. It's recommended to check with the on-site cafe or shop for specific dietary offerings. Reddit

Yes, there are shops on-site where you can purchase souvenirs and local produce. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Absolutely! The farm offers many picturesque scenes with animals, farm buildings, and natural landscapes, perfect for capturing memorable moments. TikTok+1

Yes, visitors are encouraged to take photos of the animals. Just be mindful of the animals' comfort and avoid using flash photography directly at them. TikTok

Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, professional photography or filming for commercial purposes might require prior permission. TikTok

The petting corner, the milking parlour during demonstrations, and any area with young animals or scenic farm views are great for photos. TikTokInstagram

Drone usage is typically restricted at attractions like farms to ensure the safety and well-being of animals and visitors. It's best to assume this is not permitted unless explicitly stated otherwise. TikTok

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