west lodge rural centre

love it here,seeing all the baby animals,and once while there we actually saw a pig giving birth .they have a lovely play area for the children with a massive fort that the children can run around and climb on,they do lots of themes for certain time of the year ,and keeps the children busy,would recommend west lodge.

We have been many times in the past and have always enjoyed it. This time was no different. The food has also improved since our last visit.

20 month old son thoroughly enjoyed himself at the farm. Plenty to see and do at this time of year with all the lambs and piglets about. He loved the barrel train, the play area and the cuddle corner. Nice gift shop and areas to sit around. A most enjoyable day.

We visited on a Monday in early March as it was my son's birthday. It was a first time visiting and the lady at the entrance was very helpful and friendly. It was a little cold that day so we only stayed a couple of hours but we will be back another day as I'm sure it's even nicer on a warm day. My children (4 & 1) enjoyed seeing the ducks, rabbits, chickens, donkey, pigs and lambs. We went on the barrel ride which was a bit of bumpy fun. We warmed up in the cafe and had a lovely pot of tea and some lunch. It also has a nice park with lots of fun things for the children to play on. We look forward to coming again.

We were looking for something to do locally this weekend, and saw West Lodge. After checking their website, we needed no more persuasion than the piglet racing! Lambing season has started, so there were newborn lambs as well as piglets nursing with their mothers.We also met the ponies, horses, goats, and also had a go at donkey grooming!The small animal petting session was great fun with the guinea pigs and rabbits.There are also plenty of birds outside, but since it was freezing cold and sleeting, we didn't spend much time with them!The facilities are very good - a shop selling animal feed so you can feed the animals, a cafe selling drinks, meals and cakes (essential after being out in February weather), and plenty of family-friendly facilities (toilets, school room, information boards at all the animal pens, hand washing stations). It all looks and feels sympathetically designed, and doesn't feel like a corporate facility, which made the experience feel more authentic.We were a pair of adults looking for something fun to do, and had a great few hours with the animals and staff, despite the horrible weather! Definitely recommend it as a place to spend a few hours doing something different, or for somewhere to bring children.

The breakfast is great (the sausages will not let you down), the service is good and the setting is lovely. I have visited a few times for breakfast and should really make the effort to visit for lunch. Give it a go!

Visited the Farm for probably the 5th time with my 5&7yr old children. Good value for money, friendly, helpful, polite staff, good food, lots to keep the kids entertained for the 4hrs we were there.

Great place particularly for young children but even my 10 year old still enjoys visiting West Lodge. It's a great visitors farm where you can feed the animals, watch pig racing, hold & pet the rabbits, go on donkey rides, play in the sand pit or playground, complete with hill fort & ride mini tractors. And not forgetting my children's favourite:the barrel ride! There's a small indoor play barn suitable for the smaller ones when the weather is inclement. There's extensive grounds for picnics and long walks, a decent family restaurant/cafe & gift shop. They sell very good ice cream & do a great number of family events like non-scary fireworks, an Easter Egg hunt &, for my money, the best Father Christmas. It is a real working farm & the owners are always improving and adding to the rural centre. There is a family annual pass that makes it considerably cheaper. It's a wholesome, good day out in the fresh air.

We visited the farm with our 21 month old on xmas eve. Started with petting the rabbits and ginea pigs at 1030, then on to make reindeer food and feed the donkey before visiting santa's grotto. It was our daughter's 6th visit to santa this December (we take her out a lot) and it was easily the best. You go in a group so lots of time with him, so by the time it got to photo time our daughter was happy to go near him, normally when you are in and out in seconds its quite daunting. Then onto the nativity which was excellent with children from the audience taking part. A spot of pig racing then a great meal for all. the childrens menu was excellent and our daughter loved her meal. all the staff worked very hard with a smile. A brilliant farm, run brilliantly with animals kept as they should be. Well done West Lodge.

Every year we try and see Santa in a different place with our children. We'd been to West Lodge in the summer and had very good days out, so did research about the Santa event. We decided to go on the 14th December which was a Sunday. They split the Santa times for morning and afternoon sessions, which we knew about before going, so we got there in the morning not long after opening.We payed admission for the farm as normal, then £3.50 for each child to see Santa. The girls received a bag of carrots to feed the ponies which was a nice touch.After getting our entrance tickets you go to the 'Santa booking office' and book a time to go visit the big man. Ours was about an hour later so we wondered around the farm for abit. They also converted some barns and had reindeer good making to take home. The kids loved that. There are set up photo points too. When it was our turn to go in, we headed to the barn where we waited about 15 minutes to go in to see Santa, but there was card making for us all to do, so the wait didn't matter. Very well thought out. Santa himself was brilliant. The first year our 5 year old has not been shy and she actually wanted a photo taken on her own with him! Great time, well done West Lodge!

Sometime ago we visited WLF on an off chance...We had a fantastic day..we camped there overnight the following week and it was just fantastic..well run, pig roast,soup.hotdogs..just excellent.We had today 14-12-14 gone to see Santa with our children..Just brilliant,brilliant,brilliant.I have 3 children and have been to lots of places to take them..this tops the lot.i heard a child today say " i know ive seen lots of Santas and i know they are all Santas helpers, but i know that was the real one"..Thanks to all at WLF..

Went with grandchildren to the Christmas experience. Organisation was exceptional, friendly and well thought out. Father Christmas was super and the grotto etc was enjoyed by all. Nice to visit somewhere where care thought and time have been put into the childrens activities. The castle in the play area is great. Great place to spend time with children. Definitely recommended.

We had a great day out with our Grandchildren aged 7 and 2 1/2. They particularly liked stroking and feeding the animals, also the mini tractor rides in the half barrels. The staff in all parts were very friendly and happy to talk to the children. We liked when they done the nativity play using children from the audience. It can be muddy (it is a farm) wear wellies and wrap up warm.

We have been here a couple of times before and have always had a lovely day. Our children love the animals so we decided to visit to see Santa. We were thoroughly impressed with the organisation and effort that has been put in. By far the best Father Christmas we have ever seen. Would highly recommend for a family day out and visit to Santa.

We came to see the christmas activities as well as the other things. We didnt do it all but it was brilliant. So much to do for children of all ages although mine just enjoyed the puddles! The christmas stuff was the best ive seen. Santas grotto was brill. For the price this was outstanding value. Would recommend any time of year but christmas was extra brill.