Last Updated on 20 July 2026 by Colette
I have already written a post about cow experiences across the UK but what if you just want to go see some cows – to watch them be milked or to bottle feed the calves? You know me, I’m all about a super niche post but as I’ve said before, if this is something I want the answer to then I guess one of you might want to know as well! To help me plan days out with Amy, I’ve pulled together a list of all the best places to see cows in and around Manchester.
Obviously if you’re looking to see cows near Manchester, you’re probably going to have to travel a short distance outside the city. Keep in mind that while these locations are relatively close to Manchester, they may require a short drive or public transport journey to reach.
With that in mind, here are some places where you can see cows in the vicinity of Manchester:
Smithills Open Farm, Smithills Dean Rd, Bolton BL1 7NS
Smithills Open Farm, located in Bolton, Greater Manchester, has to go at the top of our list as it has been one of our most favourite places to visit cows for as long as I can remember. Smithills Open Farm is both a family-friendly attraction and a working dairy farm. If cows are your thing then you’ll enjoy watching them be milked whilst Farmer Carl talks to you about the herd and the machines he’s using. You can also bottle feed the calves!
You can book your visit to Smithills Open Farm here.
You can read more about visiting Smithills Open Farm here:
What is there to do at Smithills Open Farm
Cockfields Farm, Lees Rd, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 8AR
Cockfields Farm have just three cows and they live in the main animal barn where you can hand feed them from bags of animal feed bought at reception. If you are visiting in the spring time, they currently have five baby cows (two Friesian, two Hereford and an Aberdeen Angus) which are being hand reared on the farm before being returned to their original farm. Whilst you can’t feed the calves, you can watch the staff bottle feeding them twice a day and the calves are more than happy to come to the edge of their pen for a fuss!
Cockfields Farm have recently welcomed a pair of highland cattle (Denny and Ernie) to the farm – you can see these two from the tractor ride.
You can book your visit to Cockfields Farm here.
You can can read more about visiting Cockfields Farm here:
Cockfields Farm – Review & Tips
Reddish Vale Farm, Country Park, Reddish Vale Rd, Stockport SK5 7HE
Reddish Vale Farm, situated in Stockport, Greater Manchester, is a small working farm open to families and for educational visits for school groups. Reddish Vale Farm is currently home to three cows – Mrs Moo (a ginger Hereford), Brownie and Liquorish (both Aberdeen Angus).
Reddish Vale Farm have recently welcomed a pair of Highland Cows; Hettie and Helga. They are hosting a special Highland Cow Weekend this September to celebrate the girls. Book tickets here.
You can book your visit to Reddish Vale Farm here.
You can read more about visiting Reddish Vale Farm here:
Reddish Vale Farm – perfect for under 5s
Tatton Park Farm, Knutsford WA16 6SG
Tatton Park is around 30 minutes drive from Manchester city centre. Tatton Park is a National Trust estate with a vast parkland and Tatton Park Farm which is home to rare bread Red Poll cows as well as two Jerseys and a Guernsey cows. The cows are due to calve in June and July this year and the team at Tatton Park Farm will host milking demonstrations in the summer.
This July, Tatton Park Farm are hosting a Bovine for Beginners course where you can learn all about the cows and the specialist care they receive. The session is for age 12+ so I’ve waited years to book Amy on to that one and I’m super excited to finally take her this summer!
You can book your visit to Tatton Park Farm here.
Brookheys Farm, Brook Heys Rd, Altrincham WA14 5SY
Brookheys Farm is a family-run working farm based in the village of Dunham Massey. They have a small herd of suckler cows and a herd of 13 highland cows.
From time to time Brookheys Farm is opened up for the public to visit the highland cows or baby lambs but there are currently no details available.
Keep an eye on their instagram or facebook pages for updates.
Heaton Park, M25 2SW
This summer you’ll find both Highland cattle and Short-horned cattle living in the field just down from the Animal Centre. These highland cows belong to a local farmer and will be spending their spring and summer at Heaton Park grazing in Brick Field. There’s currently around 17 yearlings and they are quite friendly so if you’re lucky the might come up to the fence to say hello – you are asked not to feed the cows and to remember that they do have horns and might bite!
Heaton Park and the Heaton Park Animal Centre are free to visit with no need to book.
You can read more about visiting Heaton Park here:
10 reasons you’ll love Heaton Park
Wythenshawe Community Farm, Wythenshawe Park and Gardens, Wythenshawe Rd, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 0AB
Wythenshawe Community Farm is a community farm based in Wythenshawe Park and home to a prize-winning herd of Hereford Cattle. The farm is free to visit and open daily from 11.30am.
Amy and I have recently visited the cows at Wythenshawe Community Farm – she was excited to be able to feed the girls (animal food is available at £1 a bag from the farm shop – this helps to support the running of the farm too).
Keep an eye on the Wythenshawe Community Farm Facebook page for updates.
You can read more about visiting Wythenshawe Community Farm here:
Visiting Wythenshawe Community Farm
As well as the farms detailed above, there are several working farms in the Greater Manchester area that may offer opportunities to see cows up close. Some farms may have visitor centres or open days where you can learn about farming practices and see various farm animals, including cows. Check out this post about Open Farm Sunday for details.
The information in this post is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publishing. I do recommend contacting venues directly or checking their website to confirm their current opening hours and any visitor information before planning your visit, especially if you’re traveling specifically to see cows.
Enjoy your cow-spotting adventure near Manchester – and if you know of somewhere I’ve missed, let me know – Amy will be eternally grateful!
Check out these handy links to plan your next adventure …
Have a read of these posts next:
The best farms for children in Manchester
Where to see lambs in Manchester this spring
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