As family days out and animal activities go hand-in-hand, it is only fitting Croxteth Park Farm always has a full day of in-person events planned out. From small animal handling to pony grooming and from hanging out with the chickens and turkeys to feeding cows, goats and sheep, the farm is the place to be when looking for things to do with kids all year round.
Furthermore, a cafe offering local produce is available for guests to enjoy, situated in the original dairy room where cheese was once made. Expect the usual seasonal cafe goods, from soups and paninis to hot drinks and sweet treats.
Croxteth Park Farm is a rare breed farm in Liverpool where visitors can get some much-needed petting therapy from cuddly animals (seriously, how soft can rabbits be, though), as well as feed most of the animals there and learn more about the rare breeds at risk. As a traditional working Victorian farm, the spot is one of the “biggest rare breed farms in the country”, housing over 20 breeds which have been classed as Priority or At Risk on the RBST watchlist.
Why are rare breed farms important?
Credit: Croxteth Park Farm
Helping save rare livestock from extinction is the mission behind these kinds of farms, so visiting them not only provides families with a fun day out, but helps fund the conservation efforts for these unique breeds. That way, new breeding programmes can be delivered with more genetic diversity.
The animals at the farm
The farm’s current breeding group is Irish Moiled cattle developed in 1984 and was the first herd on mainland Britain, with over 200 calves born in Liverpool to this day.
Credit: Croxteth Park Farm
Rare pig breeds include Middle White, Saddleback, Oxford Sandy and Black and Gloucester Old Spot pigs have multiple litters yearly, while rare breed sheep and goat breeds also produce offspring each year.
Visitors can also enjoy seeing ponies, alpacas, horses, donkeys, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs and more animals to interact with.
Croxteth Park Farm Autumn timetable and activities
Open between 10am and 5pm, the farm has a special daily schedule to meet the animals. You don’t need to book, just show up and pay at the gate. Entry is £6 (under 1s go free), and there is no extra charge to meet the animals, and those keen to feed the animals will just need to pay an extra £2 per bucket.
This autumn, the spot is hosting a little pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkins between October 24 and November 2.
For any special events, check Croxteth Park’s Instagram account for up-to-date information.
Weekend schedule
Credit: Croxteth Park Farm
Small animal handling – All Day
Meet the goat kids – 11am
Meet the bunnies – 11:40am
Meet and feed the cows – 1pm
Meet the lambs – 1:30pm
Meet the ducks – 2pm
Meet the guinea pigs – 2:30pm
Groom the groom/ the goats – 3pm
Pony Grooming – 3:30pm