Finkley Down Farm (Finkley Down Farm Park)

Member Name: deb10

Product:	Finkley Down Farm Park
Date:	23/08/06 (768 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A real hands on experience, children are most welcomed

Disadvantages: Be careful what you are treading in!

On a recent trip with my daughters pre-school, we all spent a very enjoyable day at Finkley Down Farm in Andover, Hampshire. With the school holidays coming up, if you have little one's, this would be an ideal place to take them.
Also because the farm unit is completely flat, it means that wheel chair and buggy access is easy. There are no ramps inside any of the barns or out buildings so you will have full manoeuvrability. Please read on to find out more.


** GETTING THERE **

Finkley Down Farm is situated on the A303, close to Picket Piece. At M3, J7 take the 3rd Exit off the roundabout into M3 direction Winchester, Andover Via [a303].

Leave the M3 at junction M3 J7 and straight ahead into A303 direction Andover.

Continue straight until you reach the Walworth roundabout.

From here Finkley is signposted (brown and white sign). It's about five minutes from this point.

Finkley Down Farm Park
Andover,
Hampshire,
SP11 6NF

01264 324141

www.finkleydownfarm.co.uk


*** OPENING TIMES ****

From March 12th to October 29th, the farm is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.


***PARKING *****

Loads of it and ample space to turn, unlike some other attractions where you are sandwiched in. The coach park is separated from the main car park. However in hot sunny days, the gravel road becomes dry and dusty which is a bit of a nightmare for your windows and paint work
.
The car park is free to all attending the farm and there is no time limit set. However it is not patrolled so make sure your vehicle is locked and valuables hidden or kept with you.
The path ways inside the grounds are clean and tidy, no need to bring your boots!


** ENTRANCE FEE **

Individual Rates

Adults £5.75

Senior Citizens, Students & Disabled Adults £5.25

Children (aged 2 - 14 years) £4.75

Disabled Children £4.25

SAVER Ticket - 2 Adults & 2 Children £20.00

Season Tickets

First Named Adult £35.00
Second Adult £30.00
Children / Senior Citizens £30.00
Family (4 Persons) £110.00


A season ticket gives unlimited entry to the farm during normal opening times from the date of purchase to the end of the season 2006.
Group Admission Rates are available for pre-booked parties or 15 or more paying persons.


Adults £5.25
Senior Citizens, NUS Students £4.75
Children (aged 2 - 14 years) £4.25


This is the way I used to gain entry. My daughter's pre-school teacher arranged for two coaches to take everyone and the price included entry into the farm. If you are involved in an education setting then this is an ideal place for school parties but would not recommend it for senior school age children. For each group of 5 children, one adult goes free but the booking must be made in one block and not over the course of a few weeks.

A school group cannot enter the farm until all adults and children have been given their entry stickers which you must display on your top and the children's clothing too. Different stickers are given for each day of the week so can only be used on that day, you will not be allowed to return the following week.

** ANIMALS ***

This is a real touch and feel farm. All animals apart from the pigs and birds can be petted, hugged and fed. There is a varied selection of live stock which include:
Lambs, Rabbits, Ponies, Goats, Mice, Rats, Geese, Peacocks, Ducks, Cattle, Llamas, Shire Horses, Shetlands, Donkeys and the odd spider in the toilet.

As you enter the grounds, the first animals to greet you are the pygmy goats. With their heads hanging over the fences they eagerly await to be fed by the food you can purchase as you pay your entrance fee. At 40 p a bag or £1 for a small bucket, it does not last long as these goats are ravenous. It appeared that most of the goats were either pregnant or they were extremely over weight.

Follow the paddock round to the left where you will meet the horses, one with a foal and more goats of different sizes. The llama's are not so accommodating and refused to walk over to greet us. It was quite a hot day and they were just stretched out in the field without a care in the world.

On the right hand side of the farm are the cattle, geese, ducks, more goats and various
Barns. You can wander around at will and walk inside the barns freely.

Two of my favourites were the calves and a black pygmy goat. The two calves are kept inside the main petting barn and I found it hard to tear myself away. As you stroke them, their huge tongues come out to lick you across your arm and they are so loving. The calf's are incredibly friendly and just adore the company of adults and children.

There are signs by each animal giving you information on the breed etc. It upset me to read that these two youngsters were taken from their mother at birth and hand reared on artificial milk. Then when they grow to full size they will be taken to a nearby farm and the whole process repeats itself again. I just hope they don't end up inside an abattoir and destined for a McDonalds cheeseburger. Suddenly I have an over whelming urge to become vegan.

The black pygmy goat is called Bilbo Baggins and he knows his name. As soon as you approach and call him, he jumps up in eagerness for some attention. Unlike the other goats, he enjoys being fed but loves his head scratched just as much. Not much bigger than a poodle but equally as adorable. Bilbo likes to nuzzle into your hand as you rub his chin.

In the "Feel Barn" at set times; there is an itinary on the black board. When you hear the bell ring then make your way over to the barn that is sign posted. Depending on what is arranged, you can hold rats, help feed the lambs, cuddle a rabbit or even groom a pony. Each time a child completes an activity, such as holding a rat, they receive a sticker. By the end of the day their t - shirt is full.

As you enter the barn, apart from having some relief from the hot sun, its quite relaxing inside. The lambs are bleating in the pen, the calves are waiting to be petted and the baby chicks are scurrying about under the hot lamp. There is a huge wasp nest in the corner (not a live one), which is fascinating to look at. I never realised how much work was put into this large dome of what looked like honeycomb. It was intricate and superbly made.

Other smaller barns have exhibits inside of by gone farming days. The stables are close by and you are free to walk in and pet the ponies. When I was there, all of them were asleep and could not be bothered to get up from their clean straw bed.

What caught my attention upon walking round was just how clean and spotless the animals are kept. Only the pigs had a few piles of last night's dinner on the floor, all the other animals were almost immaculate. All pens are filled with food and water that is in addition to the grains you can purchase at the shop. The animals at Finkley are very well kept and very well fed. Full marks to the staff.

** TOILETS**

There is a main block by the entrance and baby changing too. I also noticed one disabled toilet. The loo's are not brilliant and are littered with bugs and spiders. However they are clean. Just don't look up at the ceiling whilst you are doing whatever in the cubicles if you are frightened of anything with more than four legs.

There are also no sanitary machines inside the ladies. I made the mistake of going empty handed in this department but the staff in the gift shop were fantastic and gave me something free of charge.

Apart from the toilets, there are washbasins all over the farm. Signs by each animal remind you that you must wash your hands, especially if you have fed any of them. All the soap dispensers were full, which is rare thing when going out.

*** PICNIC AREAS ***

This is by the front entrance and there are a multitude of wooden picnic benches. Be warned the greedy peacocks will come close as soon as you start eating. Do not feed them unless you want the whole family round your ankles.

Best not to sit on the grass here, as there are many piles of peacock and duck pooh. Always grab a bench and please remember you are on farm, do not drop your litter, think of the animals that are roaming about. Place your rubbish inside the many litterbins around the farm.

** FOR THE CHILDREN ***

As if the animals were not enough, there is a huge sand pit, climbing frames, swings, little tikes cars, mini bikes, trampolines and go carts for the children. I wouldn't recommend them for older kiddies, but for the under 10's its ideal. The three full size trampolines all have safety nets around but you have to supervise your own child.

** ROOSTERS REST TEA ROOM **

Very quaint and just how you imagine a tearoom to be complete with wooden tables and chintzy patterned cloths. Tea is served in real cups not plastic beakers and the hot chocolate is huge, almost a pint pot!
A good selection of homemade cakes, ranging from Dorset Apple Cake to a creamed tea. For the healthy customer you can also purchase jacket potatoes, salads, sandwiches and a not so healthy basket of freshly deep fried chips. Prices range from £1 upwards depending on what you have. A cream tea costs £3.25 and was rather delicious.
To order just go to the till point and as soon as you have paid, the waitress will bring the food over to your table.

** GIFT SHOP**

Next door to the toilet block by the main entrance. A small shop but packed with toys and mementos for the young ones to take home. Prices range from 50 pence up to £20 for a combine harvester set. You can buy disposable cameras and tissues from here but remember girl's to bring your own sanitary protection incase the inevitable happens.
The toys are of good quality and not over priced. My little girl chose a replica rubber egg for £1, a wind up pig in an oval case for £1.50 and an ice cream, which the large Billy goat eventually ate when she wasn't looking.

** BIRTHDAYS **

For £8.75 each child, you can arrange to have your son or daughters birthday party here. For every 5 children, one adult gets in free. All you have to provide is your child's cake on the day. Ask at the entrance for more details and a booking form or Please telephone 01264 324141 during our usual opening hours.
Although they do not ask for any deposit, please give at least 24 hours notice of any alterations or cancellations.


** TO CONCLUDE **

With Finkley Down, it gives the younger children a valuable insight into the farming culture, they are also learning through play. The farm has a very relaxed atmosphere but in a safe and secure unit. The staff, though quite sparse when I was there, are friendly and helpful. However I wouldn't recommend taking a group of teenagers there, as they would soon tire of the place, but for under 10's its perfect.


Finkley needs all the support from visitors as one the staff members told us that it could be closing next year. Unfortunately the lease is up for renewal and it seems the council would rather demolish the farm and build houses on the land. This would be a huge shame and a loss to the community.

This place is well worth a visit because such an attraction is a rarity in this modern day. One word of advice though is just making sure you have good weather, this would be no fun in the rain. With hardly any shade here either, take sun hats on the rare occasion we have a hot day and slap on the sun block.



Hope you enjoy it.

Summary: A wonderful day out for the younger children