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South of England Rare Breeds Centre

4.7
·2k reviews·Woodchurch, United Kingdom

Discover rare farm animals, enjoy vast play areas, and explore 100 acres of beautiful Kent countryside. A perfect family day out!

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekends & School Holidays

More activities and lively atmosphere

CrowdHigh
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getlstd_property_photo

South of England Rare Breeds Centre

Best Time

Weekends & School Holidays

More activities and lively atmosphere

CrowdHigh
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover rare farm animals, enjoy vast play areas, and explore 100 acres of beautiful Kent countryside. A perfect family day out!

4.7
(2k reviews)

"A hidden gem perfect for children with a range of farm animals and activities. Reddit"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Consider an Annual Pass

Great value if you plan multiple visits, includes Santa grotto!

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking across 100 acres!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 2,004 reviews

Type

Farm

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Up-Close Animal Encounters

Up-Close Animal Encounters

Children's Barn & various enclosures

Get hands-on with rare breeds like Highland Cows and interact in a calm setting. Perfect for little ones!

Instagram
Mystery Marsh Adventure

Mystery Marsh Adventure

Outdoor play area

An extensive obstacle course with tunnels and challenges, offering hours of fun for active kids.

Reddit
Pig Racing Spectacle

Pig Racing Spectacle

Event arena

Enjoy the hilarious and exciting races of rare breed pigs – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Reddit
Scenic Countryside Walks

Scenic Countryside Walks

100 acres of grounds

Explore beautiful, unspoilt Kent countryside with shady walks and meadows.

Instagram
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Planning Your Visit

Plan Your Visit to the Rare Breeds Centre

This 100-acre farm offers a delightful escape with rare farm animals, play areas, and scenic walks. Consider an annual pass for frequent visits, as day tickets can add up for families. Check feeding times and talks to maximize your animal encounters. Instagram

Best Time for Animal Encounters

While the centre is open year-round, visiting during scheduled talks and feeding times offers the most engaging experience. The 'mystery marsh' obstacle course is a hit, but the tractor ride queue can be long, so plan accordingly. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekends & School Holidays
Why
More activities and lively atmosphere
Crowd
High
When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, calmer animal interactions
Crowd
Low
When
During Feeding Talks
Why
Engaging animal demonstrations
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The South of England Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford. A perfect family day out within 100 acres of beautiful, unspoilt Kent countryside.#travel #familytime #animals #kent
drpunnakadan_quest
8 likes • 279 views

🎯 Consider an Annual Pass

Great value if you plan multiple visits, includes Santa grotto! Instagram

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking across 100 acres! Reddit

South of England Rare Breeds Centre Woodchurch Ashford Annual passes £80 for a couple Under 3’s free Day ticket adult £14.95 Over 3’s £12.85 Family ticket £47.40 Included in this annual pass is the Santa grotto visit, we’ve just had to pay £9.50 for a toy on the day! @rarebreedscentre #medwaymums #ashfordmums #kentmums #kentfarm #pettingfarm
medway_mum
37 likes • 1.8K views
PR Invite | Half Term Fun at Rare Breeds Centre 🐑 The girls and their friends had a wonderful day @rarebreedscentre First, they got up close to some of their favourite animals, Bella was over the moon, when she got to stroke a Highland Cow. Little one’s can hold, stroke and interact with animals in the Children’s Barn, in a calm and relaxed setting. The girls and their friends were also really ex...
mamadoitblog
992 likes • 3.8K views

⏰ Check Talk & Feed Times

Maximize your experience with scheduled animal demonstrations. Reddit

🚗 Parking Assistance

Car park attendants help manage busy parking areas. Reddit

reddit.com

Any recommendations for nice zoos around?

We recently moved out of London and looking for nice places to take out 9 month daughter on weekends. Zoos could be nice, I thought, but London Zoo is a bit far now (2.5h drive no thanks), so maybe there are closer options… We tried Chessington last month and it is nice but it…

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Consider an Annual Pass

Great value if you plan multiple visits, includes Santa grotto! Instagram

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking across 100 acres! Reddit

⏰ Check Talk & Feed Times

Maximize your experience with scheduled animal demonstrations. Reddit

🚗 Parking Assistance

Car park attendants help manage busy parking areas. Reddit

🧺 Pack a Picnic

While the restaurant is good, a picnic can save money. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the South of England Rare Breeds Centre as a hidden gem, particularly for families. The extensive grounds, engaging animal encounters, and fun play areas are major highlights. While some find the animal variety less exotic than expected, the charm of rare breeds and the overall well-maintained, friendly atmosphere make it a highly recommended day out.

"We took our children on route home from a family trip in camber. This place was a hidden gem, perfect for our children (7 and 4) with a range of farm animals and they offered talks and feeds. There were other activities such as outdoor play areas all over and a nice shady walk under trees to other beautiful areas of the farm. You can take a tractor ride to these places but it was a nice walk. We had lunch at the restaurant just outside the main office area and it was lovely there was a great choice and the food was wholesome and yum. The farm itself was clean, the toilet facilities were clean, you can tell they take pride on the farm and the staff were all so helpful and friendly. We would return if we are in the area again and recommend it to those around."

Izzie Goacher

"We had a wonderful time there and enjoyed the beautiful animals. The activities were fun and the farm itself looks well maintained. I can fully recommend this place."

De Ki

"We recently celebrated my daughter’s and her friend’s birthday at this location, and it was absolutely wonderful. The place itself was beautiful — both the children and the adult guests were truly amazed by the surroundings. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the landscape around the venue made everything feel even more special.

After the activities, we had our own private room for the birthday cake and food, which was also perfect. Everything was well-organized, comfortable, and enjoyable. The staff made sure we had everything we needed, and we felt very well taken care of.

All of our guests were so impressed that many of them mentioned they would definitely return in the future. We couldn’t have wished for a better place to celebrate. Highly recommended!"

Kamila Mattsiak

What People Like

Hands-on animal interactions
Extensive play areas & obstacle course
Beautiful countryside setting

What People Dislike

Not exotic animals
Tractor ride queues

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The centre is located near Ashford in Kent. It's accessible by car, with ample parking available. Instagram For those without a car, check local bus routes or consider taxi services from nearby train stations like Ashford International. Reddit

Public transport options can be limited. While some local bus routes may serve the area, it's advisable to check current schedules. Many visitors opt for car travel due to the rural location. Reddit

The centre offers parking, and attendants are on hand to help manage the car park, especially during busy periods. Reddit

Yes, the grounds are generally accessible for pushchairs, though some walking paths might be uneven. The tractor ride can also be a good option for covering longer distances. Reddit

While possible, it requires careful planning. Researching local bus routes or arranging transport from a nearby town or train station would be necessary. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Day tickets are available for adults and children over 3. Family tickets offer good value. Consider an annual pass if you plan to visit frequently, as it can be more economical. Instagram

Yes, you can pay on arrival, but booking tickets in advance is also an option. Reddit

Check for family ticket options and consider an annual pass for significant savings on repeat visits. Instagram

An annual pass often includes entry for a year and may cover special events like the Santa grotto visit, though toys might incur an extra charge. Instagram

Opening hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official website for the most up-to-date information before your visit. TikTok

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You'll find a variety of rare breeds including pigs, goats, rabbits, and horses. It's not about exotic animals, but the charm of traditional farm breeds. Reddit

Absolutely! Highlights include the 'mystery marsh' obstacle course, pig racing, a play barn, and opportunities for hands-on animal interaction. InstagramReddit

The centre offers scheduled talks and feeding sessions, providing a great opportunity to see the animals up close and learn about them. Reddit

Yes, there are extensive outdoor play areas with tunnels and challenges, as well as an indoor soft play area. Reddit

It's a popular obstacle course with tunnels and various challenges, offering a fun adventure for children. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there's a restaurant offering a good choice of wholesome food, and food huts selling items like paninis and ice cream. Reddit

Picnics are welcome, which can be a great way to save money, especially for families. Reddit

The restaurant offers a decent selection, and food huts provide snacks like paninis and ice cream. Reddit

While specific options aren't detailed, most farm restaurants offer a range of choices. It's best to inquire on arrival or check their menu if available online. Reddit

Some reviewers found ice cream to be a bit expensive, but generally, the food is considered wholesome and reasonably priced for a family attraction. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Capture close-ups of the unique rare breed animals, the scenic countryside, and children enjoying the play areas and activities. Instagram

Yes, photography is encouraged! Get creative with shots of the animals in their enclosures or during feeding times. Instagram

Generally, no specific restrictions are mentioned, but always be mindful of animal welfare and other visitors. Instagram

A versatile camera or even a good smartphone camera will work well. Consider a zoom lens for capturing animal details from a distance. Instagram

The 100 acres of unspoilt countryside offer lovely opportunities for landscape shots, especially during golden hour. Instagram

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