fun around the farm (Monk Park Farm)

Member Name: jillycat

Product:	Monk Park Farm
Date:	08/06/09 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lots to see and do

Disadvantages: none

I pass the signpost to this most days of the week when I go to work but haven't visited this to this year. We choose to visit this farm on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend as our young son loves animals and thought he would enjoy the trip.

What is there
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There is a huge and varied collection of both Outdoor and Indoor Feeding Areas where you can see such as lambs, sheep, goats, calves, cattle, pigs, ponies, donkeys, horses, llamas, alpacas, wallabies, albino wallabies, deer, ducks, geese, hens, peacocks, rabbits and guinea pigs. The car park on arriving is basically a huge field. When you get there you walk down the field Which is on a hill to the ticket booth. Once you have purchased your ticket you can either head straight to the indoor petting area or follow the walk around the farm.


Where is it
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The Farm Park Visitor Centre is located near Thirsk in North Yorkshire and is in the heart of Herriot Country and on the edge of the North York Moors National Park
Take the A170 out of Thirsk. After 3 miles turn right for Bagby, Balk and Kilburn. We are only half a mile along this road, on the left at the brow of the hill. Or, if you are on the A19 York road, take the turn for Bagby Village, turn left and drive half a mile to find us on the right.

Opening times and prices
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2009 OPENING TIMES:
OPEN EVERY DAY FROM SATURDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2009 UNTIL SUNDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2009 10.30AM - 5.30PM.

PRE-BOOKED SCHOOL VISITS FROM 10AM.

2009 PRICES:
Adults: £5-00
Children (2-16 years): £4-00
Senior Citizens: £4-00
Season Tickets Per Person: £22

Facilities
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At Monk Park Farm Visitor Centre and Farm Park there is a Tea Room, which serves a wide range of Hot and Cold Meals, with a selection of freshly home-made sandwiches, Cakes and Scones.

There is also refreshment hatch/ stall which sells Hot and Cold Drinks and Ice Cream and Lollies.

There is an outdoor picnic area if you want to take your own food.

On our trip we went just for the afternoon and didn't use any of these facilities.

There is toilets and changing facilities for babies.


Our experience
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On arriving we went straight to the indoor petting area my son was totally amazed at the animals. The indoor petting area is a large barns with several different penned off areas. He got the opportunity to stroke rabbits and guinea pigs in one area. We then moved on to the Pygmy goats we were actually allowed into the pen with about 15 goats and kids who were probably more curious about us than we were about them. My son enjoyed stroking these animals and the animals were very relaxed about a toddler patting and trying to stroke them. Also in the barn which you could stroke and touch were a donkey and foal several calves and lambs. Once you have petted the animals you are reminded to use the hand washing facilities and alcohol rub to clean your hands to reduce infection.

We then went for a walk around the farm there are multiple animals to see lots of rare breeds of goat, sheep and cows as well as the wallabies. My son was totally enthralled by it and kept making very excited noises. when we got to one of the ponds there was a black swan which he was totally fascinated by.

There is also the possibility of taking pony rides which we didn't do as he was to young for it.

Back at the main farm area there is ride on toys and a large sandpit for children to play in as well as several swings and other playground toys.

One of the highlights was the lamb feeding which was great fun to watch and take part in.

Overall
******
This is a great family day out and I was totally surprised how much there was actually there for you to see and do and we will be going back.

Summary: a great farm and animal experince