Essex has a good spread of farm parks and petting farms, making it easy to find a relaxed day out with children. Whether you’re near the coast or closer to the countryside inland, you’ll find options for a straightforward family visit without a long journey.
Before you set off, it’s worth checking the farm’s own website for opening times and any booking requirements, especially during school holidays. Wear sturdy shoes or wellies, as much of the ground can be muddy or uneven, and dress for the weather since many areas are outdoors.
Farm parks in Essex
Aldburys Farm
Bishop's Stortford
Aldburys Farm is a working farm park where visitors can interact with farm animals and participate in hands-on activities related to agriculture and animal husbandry.
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All Things Alpaca Ltd
Chelmsford
All Things Alpaca Ltd is a working alpaca farm in Great Baddow, Chelmsford, where visitors can meet and interact with alpacas in a rural setting.
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Ashlyn's Softplay and Farm Park
Epping
Ashlyn's Softplay and Farm Park in Epping provides visitors with indoor soft play facilities and opportunities to interact with farm animals in a working farm setting.
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Barleylands Farm Park
Billericay
The attraction offers visitors opportunities to interact with farm animals, participate in craft workshops, enjoy rides, and use play areas.
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Barnards Farm
Brentwood
Barnards Farm is a working farm park in the Brentwood area offering visitors close encounters with farm animals and hands-on activities.
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Bells House Farm
Colchester
Bells House Farm is a working farm park near Colchester offering visitors opportunities to interact with farm animals and explore the countryside.
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Blackwater Alpacas & Pygmy Goats Ltd
Braintree
Pygmy goats are available to interact with during yoga and pilates classes.
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Bollington Hall Farm
Bishop's Stortford
Bollington Hall Farm is a working farm park near Bishop's Stortford where visitors can encounter farm animals and learn about traditional farming practices.
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Bombose Farm
Bures
Bombose Farm is a working farm park in Bures where visitors can interact with farm animals and learn about traditional farming practices.
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BOYDELLS DAIRY FARM
Braintree
Boydells Dairy Farm is an open farm that produces sheep milk and sheep milk products.
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Butlers Farm Alpacas & The Alpaca Shop
Ongar
The Alpaca Shop UK sells alpaca fiber and fleece products, clothing, accessories, toys, crafts, home goods, furnishings, gifts, and bedding.
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Chigwell Meadow
Chigwell
Chigwell Meadow is a working farm park where visitors can interact with farm animals and experience rural life.
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Claypits Farm
Colchester
Claypits Farm is a working farm park near Earls Colne where visitors can interact with farm animals and learn about agricultural practices.
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Daisy May's Farm
Bishop's Stortford
Daisy May's Farm is a working farm park where visitors can interact with farm animals and participate in hands-on activities.
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Deersbrook Farm
Braintree
Deersbrook Farm is a working farm shop in Braintree where visitors can browse fresh, locally-grown produce and observe agricultural operations.
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Eden Oasis
Chelmsford
Eden Oasis is a working farm park near Chelmsford where visitors can interact with animals and participate in hands-on farming activities.
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Elm Farm Country Park
Clacton-on-Sea
Elm Farm Country Park near Clacton-on-Sea provides farmstay accommodation, rural activities, and farm animals in a working farm setting.
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Exotic Explorers
Brentwood
Exotic Explorers is a mobile zoo featuring over 70 exotic animal species available for personal experiences, parties, schools, groups, and corporate events.
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Fallow Deer Farm
Epping
Fallow Deer Farm is a working farm park in Epping where visitors can observe fallow deer and experience rural life through traditional farming practices.
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Fen Farm Caravan Park
Colchester
The facility offers caravan camping for up to 90 vehicles and features a children's play area and bird nesting sites on the grounds.
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Gaynes Park Farms Ltd
Epping
Gaynes Park Farms is a working farm park in Epping where visitors can interact with farm animals and learn about traditional farming practices.
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Gemma's Farm
Witham
Gemma's Farm is a working farm park in Witham where visitors can interact with animals and learn about agricultural practices.
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Grange Farm Centre
Chigwell
Grange Farm Centre is a working farm in Chigwell offering visitors opportunities to interact with animals and participate in hands-on activities.
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Great Garnetts Farm
Dunmow
Great Garnetts Farm is a working farm shop and market in Dunmow where visitors can purchase fresh, local produce in a traditional farming environment.
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Hainault Forest
Chigwell
The park offers walking trails through forest, an adventure play area, a fishing lake, and a zoo with a cafe.
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Hatter's Farm
Bishop's Stortford
Hatters Farm offers visitors pumpkins, flower fields, and a corn maze attraction.
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Herts & Essex Community Farm
Harlow
Herts & Essex Community Farm is a working farm in Harlow where visitors can interact with animals and participate in hands-on activities about farming and sustainable agriculture.
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Hill Farm
Colchester
Hill Farm is a working farm park in Langham, Colchester, offering hands-on activities and animal encounters for visitors interested in rural life and agriculture.
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Hill Farm campsite
Braintree
Hill Farm offers visitors the opportunity to interact with animals and participate in various activities.
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Hornsea Animal Feeds Ltd
Dunmow
Visitors can explore a working farm and browse pet supplies at this combined farm and retail location in Dunmow.
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Lathcoats Farm
Chelmsford
The Bee Shed coffee shop serves beverages and food made with local ingredients, including apples from the farm.
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Marsh Farm
Chelmsford
A working farm offering visitors opportunities to see sheep, bunnies and ferrets, ride tractors, and enjoy bouncy castle activities and magic shows.
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Martins Farm Country Park
Clacton-on-Sea
Martins Farm Country Park is a working farm in Saint Osyth offering visitors farm animals and outdoor activities in the Essex countryside.
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Monk Downs Farm
Colchester
Monk Downs Farm is a working farm park in Colchester where visitors can encounter farm animals and experience rural life in a countryside setting.
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Old MacDonald's Farm & Fun Park
Brentwood
A farm attraction featuring common farm animals, alpacas, wallabies, and owls, with children's rides available.
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Otto's Pumpkin Patch – Pumpkin Picking – Braintree
Braintree
Otto's Pumpkin Patch offers visitors a variety of pumpkins and squashes in different shapes and sizes to pick.
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Park Farm
Saffron Walden
Park Farm is a working farm park in the Saffron Walden area where visitors encounter farm animals and learn about traditional farming practices.
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Park Farm
Colchester
Park Farm is a working farm in the Colchester and Dedham area where visitors can interact with farm animals and experience rural agricultural operations.
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Park farm
Brentwood
Park Farm is a working farm park in Brentwood where visitors can interact with farm animals and experience rural life activities.
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Park Farm Chrishall Limited
Royston
Park Farm Chrishall is a working farm park near Royston where visitors can interact with farm animals and experience hands-on farming activities.
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Pelican Playground
Chigwell
Pelican Playground at Grange Farm Centre is an outdoor play facility in Chigwell where children can engage in various activities in a farm setting.
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Redwings Horse Sanctuary – Ada Cole
Nazeing
Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Nazeing allows visitors to meet rescued horses and observe their care and rehabilitation in a working sanctuary setting.
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Rockells Farm
Saffron Walden
Rockells Farm is a working farm park in Saffron Walden where visitors can encounter farm animals and experience rural life and agricultural practices.
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Rose Farm Chigwell
Romford
Rose Farm Chigwell is a working farm park near Romford where visitors can interact with farm animals and experience traditional farming activities in a countryside setting.
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Salvation Army Hadleigh Farm Rare Breeds Centre
Benfleet
The farm offers educational experiences, an Olympic mountain biking track, a petting zoo, and a cafe.
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Stonehall Farm
Upminster
Stonehall Farm is a working farm park where visitors can interact with farm animals and learn about traditional farming practices.
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The Hatch Shed
Colchester
The Hatch Shed is a working poultry farm in Earls Colne offering visitors close encounters with chickens and other birds while learning about sustainable farming practices.
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Thurgood Farm
Colchester
Thurgood Farm is an equestrian facility in Colchester where visitors of all riding levels can participate in horse riding experiences.
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Writtle Maize Maze
Chelmsford
Writtle Maize Maze is a working farm in Chelmsford where visitors can navigate a corn maze and interact with farm animals in a countryside setting.
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Writtle Sunflowers
Chelmsford
Writtle Sunflowers is a working farm near Chelmsford where visitors can interact with animals and explore the countryside.
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Abbotts Hall Farm
Colchester
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Animall Littlebury
Saffron Walden
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Call Of The Wild Zoo
Chelmsford
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Cammas Hall Farm
Bishop's Stortford
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Duck End Farm Kennels and Cattery
Dunmow
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Elms Farm Park
Maldon
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Farmer Scott's Countryside Events
Brentwood
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Get to know animals CIC
Epping
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Hastys Adventure Farm
Clacton-on-Sea
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Hopefield Animal Sanctuary & Visitor Centre
Brentwood
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Imperial Birds of Prey Academy
Billericay
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Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park
Waltham Abbey
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Marsh Farm Country Park
Chelmsford
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Parkdean Resorts Valley Farm Holiday Park, Essex
Clacton-on-Sea
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Parklands Farm
Chelmsford
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Pets Corner
Harlow
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River Lee Country Park
Waltham Cross
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Slamseys
Braintree
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Stantons Farm – Petting Farm
Braintree
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White Elm Petting Farm
Chelmsford
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Woodstock farm
Chelmsford
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