Cotswold Farm Park reviewed

WHILE on a weekend trip to the Cotswolds, we went to Cotswold Farm Park at Guiting Power. Besides having an active two year old to entertain, I'd also wanted to see the farm for myself as I've become a regular viewer of Sunday evenings BBC TV show Countryfile, where Adam Henson is seen going about his work as a farmer at Cotswold Farm Park (they call it Adam’s Farm).

I, like millions of other viewers, have become familiar with Adam and his infectious enthusiasm for his family farm, inherited from his father who retired in 1997. Joe, his father, founded the park more than 40 years ago in order to protect some of the rare and valuable historic breeds. Adam, now runs the farm alongside his business partner, the not so famous Duncan Andrews.

Adam, the farmer, businessman, public speaker, TV presenter and all round nice guy, has created an excellent attraction. With the industry reported to be suffering and the recent demise of the agricultural Royal Show in Warwickshire, it could be said that Cotswolds Farm Park seems to be succeeding against the odds.

Indeed, Adam's recent comments may have ruffled a few feathers with his contemporaries when he was reported to have said of farmers; “We do need to improve our image. Farming is always going to be hard. We have to face those challenges in a positive way. It’s time to stop whingeing and start winning over the public with a more human face.”

Adam has an obvious passion for farming, conservation and education and Cotswold Farm certainly reflects this.

On our visit we paid £37 for two adults, three pensioners. James was free as he’s under three. A bag of feed for the animals at 50p.

The park is pristine and impressive. There’s farm safaris, a touch barn (where you can hold smaller animals), a maze, swings, bouncy pillows, a playground, woodland obstacle course, the list goes on. There’s also a noticeboard listing events due on that day. Fortunately for us it was lambing season so bottle feeding the lambs was planned and I wanted front row seats.

There’s a wide-range of animals at the park which homes early breeds like the Soar sheep and Shetland cattle to modern agricultural breeds such as the Boer goats.

For James, the push tractors immediately caught his attention. All neatly lined up in their mini shed, he proceeded in test driving every single one. It took some time. Eventually the sight of the huge bouncy pillows (no really) tempted him away.

As for events we went on a farm safari on a trailer pulled by a bright yellow tractor, we did the animal cuddling thing in the barn, and bottle-fed the lambs.

Facilities at the park are excellent. A handsome cafe, shop, pram and wheel chair access, baby changing, hand washing areas and hand sterilisers at all corners. Not missing out on any opportunities, the park has a caravan and campsite attached serving ramblers, families and anyone who wants to capture some Cotswold countryside, educational days for schools are available as are birthday party events.

Cotswolds Farm is a fantastic day out. It encourages townies to enjoy the wonderful British countryside and educates by entertaining us.

Despite the fact I don’t know one end of a cow from the other and scream at the mere sight of a worm, I want to become a farmer or at least try being Felicity Kendall from the Goodlife for a day.

If this place can have this effect on a city girl, then it can work its magic on anyone. And, for kids its good old fashioned fun.

For more information, opening times and tickets visit the website on www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk.

Cotswold Farm Park
Near Guiting Power
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL54 5U
Tel: 01451 850 307