Choderton rare Breeds Farm Park for rare sight's (Finkley Down Farm Park)

Member Name: topp99

Product:	Finkley Down Farm Park
Date:	11/08/02 (302 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great scenery

Disadvantages: Rain

Amesbury Road
Cholderton
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP4 0EW
Tel: +44 (0)1980 629 438
Fax: +44 (0)1980 629 438

Cholderton is a small village on the Amesbury Road between the town of Amesbury and Salisbury. It is hidden off in a side road, but there are brown signs to tell you the way, should you come by car. It has two awards one being the Wiltshire Family Attraction Association.

The place has starred on TV and is a museum like farmer Giles, dedicated towards the farming industry. The actual entrance way is a cottage that takes you into the gift shop through into a paved courtyard. In the courtyard there is a pond and fountain with golden carp cruising about under the lily pads, peacocks sometimes come for a drink, and you often hear them calling out to one another in peacock language. The restaurant is a conservatory, and has a glass roof overlooking the courtyard. There is outdoor seating as well by the fountain, and there is waitress service.

One of the many attractions is Rabbit World, a barn with many rabbit pens. Come at a certain time and their will be babies nestling by their mothers which is really cute. The breeds range from Giant to Dwarf, the last time I visited there was a female black bunny sitting on a log in the center pen with little babies hiding under the straw. You can buy rabbits for a certain price, but you have to negotiate with reception first.

There are 13 splendid ancient breeds of sheep including a very odd looking creature with four horns who lives in a solitary pen, who’s not very keen on having his picture taken? Someone told me he was a Seaweed Eating North Ronaldsay, so its not humans who have funny eating habits.

There is a wide variety of goats and cows, there is a pets corner here where rabbits will sit on your lap; ankle shields needed as they sometimes nibble your shins. The Pygmy goats like to be fussed as well.

There are three turkeys w
ho are really looking forward to Christmas, NOT! The hens I think they are Road Island Reds and Sussex breeds that are white and have an attitude, especially the cock if he’s having a bad day and wants you to know about it.

There are the donkeys and ponies that live up the field in little paddocks, including a miniature pony that I would like to take home.

There is pig racing at weekends and during the school hols if the weather is good, which takes place along a little circuit that has jumps by the restaurant. You can bet a pig if you’re daft enough, and hope it behaves like ShoeMacker when the time comes.

There is also tractor and trailer rides, and a nature trail, if you don’t get lost you can find the badgers set. There is a playground for children with a woodchip floor, and picnic areas which sadly aren’t wasp free.

There are views towards Salisbury. Imagine how quiet it must have been before the car was invented.

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