Last Updated on 17 May 2024 by Colette
This post features gifted experiences
It has been a really long time since we’ve visited Cockfields Farm, and in fact we have only been at Christmas so it felt like a February half term visit to see the lambs (and of course the calves) was in order!
Throughout February half term Cockfields Farm Park are hosting their “Barnyard Baby Bash” in celebration of all the new life on the farm. The focus of the event of course being on the lambs and other newborn animals on the farm but there’s plenty of other things to do while you’re there too!
In the Maternity Barn at Cockfields Farm, you’ll find twenty-nine lambs (all less than two weeks old and looking super cute) as well as five calves – as you can imagine these guys took much of Amy’s attention and reignited her desire to be a farmer.
The mother sheep are all keen to come for hand feeding and strokes – they will confidently stick their faces out between the bars of their pens if they think you might have something for them to eat! This is something to be aware of if you’ve got little ones with you as they are obviously at face height and it might be a bit of a surprise!
If you are a regular reader then you’ll know that Amy has a lifelong obsession with cows so it will come as no surprise to you that the highlight of her day was seeing the calves. We stood for ages watching the calves, using Amy’s “Cow Nerd” book to identify the different breeds.
We loved watching the cows be fed (this happens twice a day at 10.30am and then I think at about 2pm – you can check this on the noticeboards at the farm). Whilst the calves are fed, there’s plenty of opportunity to chat to the farmers and ask questions about the calves – we found out that the calves weren’t born on site but belong to a local farm and have come to Cockfields for hand-rearing. They will go back to their original farm when they are a bit older.
Elsewhere on the farm you can visit the ducks on the pond, take a tractor ride, handle the chicks and Guinea pigs, burn off some energy on the huge bouncy pillow and of course visit the Animal Barn where you’ll find sheep, pigs, cows, alpacas and llamas all waiting for you to feed them (animal feed costs £1.80 from reception). There’s also an indoor role play area but, at 10, Amy is definitely too big for that!
There is a small carousel which is free to use when it is open – which it wasn’t when we visited this weekend. You have to be under 1.5m tall to ride the carousel – I think Amy would have been on the cusp!
There’s plenty of opportunities to wash your hands with hot water and soap around the farm – this is of course important for both hygiene reasons and because, as Amy will tell you, cow kisses can be quite sloppy!
At ten, Amy is probably stretching the upper limits of the target age range for Cockfields Farm – she was definitely one of the oldest children there but – as long as she can spend time with her beloved cows – she’s not bothered!
Where is Cockfields Farm?
You’ll find Cockfields Farm on Lees Rd on the border of Oldham and Ashton Under Lyne. Use postcode OL6 8AR for your satnav.
Cockfields Farm is actually accessible by public transport taking the 425 from Oldham and stopping at the Abbeyhills Road stop (this is about a 6 minute walk to the farm) or from Manchester you’ll want the 231 from Piccadilly Gardens stopping at Lichfield Avenue (this is about a 15 minute walk to the farm).
When is the best time to visit Cockfields Farm?
Although we visited Cockfields Farm during their lambing event at February half term, they host special events all year round including Easter, Halloween, Pumpkin Picking, Bonfire Night and Christmas as well as special events during the summer holidays and selected weekends through the year. Ticket pricing changes according to events so the cheapest time to visit Cockfields Farm is when there isn’t anything fancy going on!
Tips for visiting Cockfields Farm:
- Cockfields Farm is a cashless venue so be sure to book your tickets online and have a card handy for any additional payments.
- If you’re looking to save money, pack a picnic – Cockfields Farm has a picnic area where you’re welcome to eat and drink whatever you have brought with you. (You know how much we love a hot picnic!)
- Your ticket is valid from 10am until the farm closes so, to make the most of your day, get there first thing!
- Make sure to check the daily timetable for any animal talks or small animal handling sessions so you don’t miss those,
- There is a large free car park so you don’t need to worry about having extra cash to pay for parking.
- Dogs are not allowed at Cockfields Farm for obvious reasons.
- Cockfields Farm allow hand feeding of most of their barn animals with food which can be purchased from reception at £1.80 a bag.
- Do dress for being outdoors – the paths can be muddy and the farm is quite exposed so it can be quite windy. There are things to do indoors but on a cold day, the barns will still be cold.
- Take spare socks for after the bouncy pillow as your little one is bound to get damp feet and sand everywhere!
Have a read of these posts next:
Where to see lambs in Manchester this spring
Our favourite farms near Manchester
Where to go alpaca walking near Manchester
Cow experiences for adults and children in the UK
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