There is something genuinely magical about the moment a goat takes a handful of feed from a small child’s palm, or when a lamb trots over on wobbly legs and decides you look trustworthy enough to nuzzle. It does not matter how old you are. That connection with an animal cuts through everything and reminds you what a good day out is supposed to feel like.
The brilliant news is that the North West is absolutely packed with places where you can have exactly that kind of experience. From the wild fells of Cumbria to the flat farmland of Merseyside, the five counties of this region are home to some genuinely brilliant petting zoos, working farms and wildlife parks. We have rounded up the very best, listed county by county in alphabetical order, so you know exactly where to head.
At a Glance
| Attraction | County | Entry Cost | Best For | Dogs Welcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaze Farm | Cheshire | Free (small charge lambing season) | All ages, toddlers to adults | Check with venue |
| Lake District Wildlife Park | Cumbria | Paid admission | All ages, animal encounter fans | No |
| Cockfields Farm Park | Greater Manchester | From £12.95 | Young children, families | No |
| Heaton Park Animal Centre | Greater Manchester | Free | Toddlers, budget-conscious families | No |
| Bowland Wild Boar Park | Lancashire | £5 per vehicle parking | All ages, dog owners | Yes, on leads |
| Farmer Parrs Animal World | Lancashire | From £10 per person | Families, Blackpool visitors | No |
| Wild Discovery, Ribby Hall | Lancashire | Paid admission | All ages, education-focused | Check with venue |
| Acorn Farm | Merseyside | Small admission fee | Young children, school groups | No |
| Lydiate Hall Farm | Merseyside | Free to wander | All ages, a relaxed afternoon | Check with venue |
Cheshire
Blaze Farm, Wildboarclough, Macclesfield
If you have never been to Blaze Farm, put it top of your list right now. Tucked away in the gorgeous Cheshire corner of the Peak District near the village of Wildboarclough, this working dairy farm is one of those places that feels like a secret, even though plenty of people clearly know about it. The setting alone is worth the drive: rolling meadows, sweeping views across the Peak District, and the kind of clean country air that makes you wonder why you do not do this every weekend.
The farm is home to a lovely collection of animals including donkeys, pigs, ponies, cows and goats, and during spring the lambing shed becomes the main event. If you time your visit right, you can watch ewes giving birth to their lambs, and children get the chance to hold them. It is the sort of thing that creates a memory for life. There is also a nature trail winding through the meadows and woodland, where carved animals are hidden among the trees and there is a den to explore.
Ice Cream-Tastic!
Let us be honest though. Half the reason people make the pilgrimage to Blaze Farm is the ice cream. The Hilly Billy ice cream, made entirely on the farm using milk from their own dairy herd, is extraordinary. The flavour range alone would take some working through: from classic vanilla to Mandarin and Turkish Delight. Go in December and you will find Christmas Pudding and Irish Cream scoops available. The tearoom also serves solid, homemade lunches including jacket potatoes, paninis, soup and scones, as well as one of the best hot chocolates in the Peak District.
The best part? Entry is completely free. They make their money through the café and ice cream parlour, which means you are welcome to pop in, wander around and say hello to the animals at no cost at all. A small charge applies during lambing season to enter the lambing shed, but it is absolutely worth it. There is also The Potty Sheep ceramic studio on site, a separate pottery painting business that is brilliant for a rainy day or for anyone who wants to take home something they have made themselves.
Address: Wildboarclough, Macclesfield, SK11 0BL | Website: blazefarm.com | Entry: Free
Cumbria
Lake District Wildlife Park, Bassenthwaite
If the North West has an animal attraction that genuinely deserves the word spectacular, it might be this one. Set in 24 acres of breathtaking Lakeland scenery near Bassenthwaite Lake, with sweeping views of the Skiddaw massif behind it, the Lake District Wildlife Park sits about ten minutes from Keswick. Even the approach through the northern fells puts you in the right frame of mind.
The species list alone takes some getting through. Lemurs, lar gibbons, northern Eurasian lynx, zebra, wildebeest, red pandas, meerkats, anacondas, condors, American bald eagles, Tamworth pigs, Herdwick sheep, donkeys and Bagot goats are all in residence. You can hand-feed the domestic animals directly, and the keepers are passionate and knowledgeable.
Their daily talks on lemurs, otters, red pandas and reptiles are worth planning your day around, and the bird of prey display is a particular highlight. Buzzards occasionally choose to land on the bench right next to you, which tends to cause a stir.
Animal Encounters
For an even more immersive experience, the park offers pre-bookable animal encounters. Meet the Meerkats, Lemur Encounters, Hawk Walks, Alpaca Walks and Tapir experiences each last around an hour and include full day entry. These make for an unforgettable birthday gift or special occasion treat, and the park recommends booking ahead as spaces fill quickly.
There is a café serving excellent homemade food, covered and outdoor picnic areas, indoor and outdoor play zones and an animal-themed gift shop. If you are spending a few days in the Lake District, this is one of those days out that tends to surprise people in the very best way. Wrap up if you are visiting out of summer, because those northern fells bring a chill even on bright days.
Address: Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick, CA12 4RD | Website: lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk | Entry: Paid; check website for current prices
Greater Manchester
Cockfields Farm Park, Ashton-under-Lyne
One of the most popular farm parks in and around Manchester, Cockfields has earned its reputation as a proper day out. Expect a strong range of animals: piglets, goats, meerkats, llamas, and a reptile handling area that tends to be the unexpected highlight for older children. There are tractor rides, an indoor play barn for when the weather decides to be typically Mancunian, themed seasonal events and regular small animal handling sessions.
Book ahead during school holidays, wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy, and buy a bag of animal feed on arrival because you will absolutely use it. There is a good on-site café and the whole set-up is well organised with plenty for children of all ages to do throughout the day. It is one of those places where a few hours pass very quickly.
Address: Lees New Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8AR | Website: cockfields.co.uk | Entry: From £12.95; check website for current pricing
Heaton Park Animal Centre, Manchester
Here is one for the budget-conscious. The Heaton Park Animal Centre is completely free to enter and sits within Manchester’s biggest park, a magnificent 600-acre Green Flag site that is wonderful for a full family day out in its own right.
The animal centre is housed in the old stables and is small but genuinely charming. You will find goats, donkeys, pigs, geese, turkeys, chickens, peacocks, alpacas and even a Sulcata tortoise. You can pet the donkeys and goats, and hay is available to feed them.
It works perfectly as part of a wider Heaton Park day that might also take in the boating lake, playgrounds and a visit to the historic Heaton Hall. The animal centre is open Thursday to Tuesday, 10am to 4pm, all year round except Christmas Day. Park entry and the animal centre are both free, and parking is very affordable.
For younger children in particular, this is one of the best free days out in Greater Manchester. It is not the biggest animal collection you will ever see, but the setting is lovely and the animals are friendly and accessible. Well worth adding to your list.
Address: Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Manchester, M25 2SW | Website: manchester.gov.uk | Entry: Free
Lancashire
Bowland Wild Boar Park, Near Chipping, Preston
This one is a genuine gem, set in one of the most beautiful corners of the entire North West. Bowland Wild Boar Park sits in the heart of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a couple of miles from the pretty village of Chipping, right on the banks of the River Hodder. Even the drive in is a treat.
The park covers 62 acres of woodland and meadowland, and the animal collection is wonderfully varied. Alongside the wild boar themselves, including in season the impossibly cute stripy boarlets that visitors adore, you will find rare breed sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, red deer and rabbits. Then things get more exotic: meerkats, emus, ostriches, alpacas and llamas all have their home here.
Dogs Welcome
Hand feeding is one of the highlights of any visit, and you can buy animal feed from the farm shop on arrival. Tractor rides, woodland walks and a proper adventure play area keep children busy, and the Trough and Brew Café serves breakfasts, lunches and sweet treats with a stunning view across the Bowland fells.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads throughout the park, which is a real bonus if you want to make a full family day of it with four-legged members included. The park charges a single £5 per vehicle parking fee rather than per-person admission, which makes it excellent value for larger groups or families.
If you want to extend the trip, the wider Bowland Country Park also includes camping pods and luxury lodges. As a base for exploring the Trough of Bowland, it is hard to beat.
Address: Near Chipping, Preston, PR3 2HB (follow brown tourist signs; some sat navs work better with PR3 2QT) | Website: wildboarpark.co.uk | Entry: £5 per vehicle parking; no per-person admission charge
Farmer Parrs Animal World, Fleetwood
Farmer Parrs has been a staple of the Fylde Coast for years and continues to be a brilliant day out for families visiting the Blackpool area. Located at Wyrefield Farm in Fleetwood, it is very much a hands-on, in-amongst-it kind of farm experience. Entry includes a bag of animal feed per person, and there are daily animal shows, farm tours, pony rides, pony grooming sessions and tractor rides on the timetable throughout the day.
The animal collection is extensive. Alongside cows (including the beloved Jersey bullock Eric), alpacas, llamas, red deer, miniature donkeys Annie and Bobby, African pygmy goats, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, geese and ferrets, there is also a reptile collection including a bearded dragon and snake that staff are happy to let visitors handle during activity sessions.
One of the more unusual features is the Fylde Country Life Museum on site, a wonderfully characterful collection of rural life artefacts that adults tend to find more interesting than they expected. There is an indoor play area with bouncy castle and ball pit, a bistro serving hot food, a pottery studio and a gift shop. In December the whole place transforms for a festive experience complete with Santa in his grotto. It has become something of a tradition for many local families and is well worth booking in advance during the Christmas period.
Address: Rossall Lane, Fleetwood, FY7 8SL | Website: farmerparrs.com | Entry: Around £10 per person; check website for current pricing
Wild Discovery, Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green
If you are heading to the Fylde Coast and want something a little different, Wild Discovery at Ribby Hall Village near Wrea Green is well worth knowing about. The attraction runs daily interactive and educational animal encounters in a zoo-style setting, with a focus on inspiring people of all ages to care about conservation and the natural world. Keeper talks and animal encounters are scheduled throughout the day, and your admission functions as a full day pass so you can explore everything at your own pace. It is open to both Ribby Hall guests and the wider public, making it a great option if you are already in the area for other reasons.
Address: Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green, Preston, PR4 2PR | Website: wilddiscovery.co.uk | Entry: Paid; check website for current pricing
Merseyside
Acorn Farm, Kirkby
For a structured, hands-on animal experience on Merseyside, Acorn Farm in Kirkby is hard to beat. Open seven days a week, this award-winning working farm is home to sheep, cows, goats, pigs, horses, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and, rather wonderfully, meerkats. During weekends and school holidays the team runs small animal petting sessions and horse rides, and with baby animals regularly arriving throughout the year including lambs, piglets, goat kids and chicks, there is almost always something new to discover.
The farm has a genuinely community-focused ethos. Alongside the visitor attraction, they run an education programme for schools and a Day Service for people with learning disabilities. On-site facilities include a café, a woodland walk, two outdoor play areas, a plant sales centre and a farm shop selling home-produced free-range meat, eggs, ice cream and dairy milk. Both petting sessions and horse rides are held undercover, which means wet weather is not the disaster it might be at other farms.
Address: Acornfield Road, Kirkby, L33 4BY | Website: acornfarm.co.uk | Entry: Small admission fee; petting sessions and horse rides charged separately
Lydiate Hall Farm, Lydiate
Lydiate Hall Farm is one of those wonderful places that feels like it belongs to a slower, gentler version of the world. Located in Lydiate just outside Liverpool, the farm shop and its surrounding grounds have been drawing visitors for generations. There are people who brought their children here decades ago and are now returning with grandchildren, and that kind of longevity tells you something.
The farm sits alongside the atmospheric ruins of Lydiate Hall, and peacocks are everywhere: strutting around the grounds, calling out across the yard, occasionally deigning to fan their extraordinary tails for passing visitors. There are also chickens roaming freely, a pond full of ducks and that lovely, unhurried farmyard atmosphere that is increasingly rare. It is not a ticketed attraction with rides and schedules.
It is more of a living, breathing farm where animals go about their business and you are welcome to watch and wander. Pick up something from the excellent farm shop, have a look at the nearby medieval ruins, and enjoy an afternoon that feels genuinely removed from the everyday.
Address: Southport Road, Lydiate, Merseyside, L31 4HD | Entry: Free to wander
Tips for Your Visit
Spring is nearly always the best time to visit if you want to see baby animals. Lambs, piglets, goat kids and chicks tend to arrive between March and May, and most farms will shout about it on their social media when they do, so it is worth following your chosen venue online.
School holidays get busy across the board. If you can visit midweek during term time you will generally get a more relaxed experience, shorter queues for animal encounters and a much easier time parking.
Always bring wet wipes and hand sanitiser alongside whatever the venue provides. Animal encounters are wonderful but they are not always the tidiest of activities. It is also good to remember that animals can carry diseases that humans find hard to detect. Best to be sure!
If a place offers a bag of animal feed on arrival, say yes. There are very few things that will make a child’s day quite as effectively as a goat deciding they are their new best friend.
The North West really does punch above its weight when it comes to farm and animal experiences. Whether it is a free wander around Lydiate Hall Farm on a sunny afternoon or a full day at the Lake District Wildlife Park with red pandas and birds of prey wheeling overhead, there is something here for every age, budget and corner of the region.
Practical Information
| Attraction | Address | Postcode | Open | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorn Farm | Acornfield Road, Kirkby | L33 4BY | Daily 10:00–16:00 | acornfarm.co.uk |
| Blaze Farm | Wildboarclough, Macclesfield | SK11 0BL | Check website for seasonal hours | blazefarm.com |
| Bowland Wild Boar Park | Near Chipping, Preston | PR3 2HB | Weekends during term time; Thu–Sun during school/seasonal holidays | wildboarpark.co.uk |
| Cockfields Farm Park | Lees New Road, Ashton-under-Lyne | OL6 8AR | Check website; advance booking recommended in school holidays | cockfields.co.uk |
| Farmer Parrs Animal World | Rossall Lane, Fleetwood | FY7 8SL | Daily 10:00–17:00 all year (reduced winter hours Nov–Feb) | farmerparrs.com |
| Heaton Park Animal Centre | Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Manchester | M25 2SW | Thu–Tue 10:00–16:00, all year except Christmas Day | Heaton Park Animal Centre |
| Lake District Wildlife Park | Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick | CA12 4RD | Daily 10:00–17:30 (winter closes 16:30); closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day | lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk |
| Lydiate Hall Farm | Southport Road, Lydiate | L31 4HD | No dedicated website; farm shop hours vary | Check Google listing |
| Wild Discovery | Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green, Preston | PR4 2PR | Check website for current sessions | wilddiscovery.co.uk |
Always check individual venues directly for the most up-to-date opening times, prices and booking requirements before travelling, as these can change seasonally.
