OUR VISIT
Hope Nature Centre is a lovely day trip to the farm with the kids and is only 30 mins from Bath. Set in 15 acres of the Southwick Country park near Trowbridge, it’s a great open space. There’s a really good variety of farm animals, plenty of play structures dotted about and good facilities.
The children really enjoyed feeding the animals. I’m not really a fan but found them really gentle in particular the alpacas. There’s also a train that takes you round the site.
There’s a large, reasonably priced cafe at the entrance with hot and cold options, homemade cakes and kids lunch boxes, and a handy refreshments trailer half way round. There are toilets in the cafe and a toilet block half way round.
Entry is reasonably priced, £4.95 for children over 2 and £5.95 for adults. I’ve always bought tickets in advance but you can also buy them on the day. The centre is a charity and, although I’m not a frequent visitor, I can see that there’s continued improvements to the site. A huge new adventure play structure was under construction when we visited.
TOP TIPS –
Mud glorious mud – if it’s been raining recently go prepared for mud, wellies, puddle suits, the works!
Save your animal feed. There’s so many animals around the site, don’t use it up on the first few.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
There’s plenty of parking on site, two sets of toilets, a big cafe (accessible without going into the animal centre) and a refreshments stand half way round.
Dogs are not allowed in the animals park but they are allowed on the terrace in front of the cafe.
WALKS NEARBY
If you fancy combining your trip with a walk Southwick Country Park, there’s a network of paths to follow and The Woodland Trust has created some lovely activity sheets.
