Jimmy's Farm
Hidden down a winding track in Wherstead, just outside Ipswich, the park is home to an award winning restaurant, a farm shop, various shops, gardens and the farm trail.
Entry to Jimmy’s Farm itself is free, but to enjoy the Nature Trail you need to pay the admission fee (see below for the most recent charges – under 2s go free). They are currently undergoing a major redevelopment of the nature trail, including plans for a brand new children’s play area, a wider variety of animals in new enclosures, including wallabies and meerkats, and an improved pathway for the woodland walk. There are also plans for a new walk-through aviary. The farm has recently reopened to visitors, but the work is still going on. There is plenty to see and do while it is changing, and our visit this week was just as enjoyable as normal.
The enclosures are spread out around the farm park, which is nestled on a fairly steep hill, so if you want to see everything, be prepared for a bit of a walk. As you first come in, you are greeted by the latest gorgeous litter of piglets, bunnies, guinea pigs and pygmy goats – all very popular with toddlers. They have a little area for holding animals at weekends and during school holidays. In the Spring, there are also opportunities to hold lambs and see baby chicks. Beyond the entrance there are donkeys, alpacas, ponies, sheep, ducks and rheas in the first field. Then you reach the first play area – which currently consists of climbing equipment, an enormous sandpit, and a giant trampoline pillow. If you manage to get beyond here (good luck!) you can then climb up the hill past emus and reindeer to the butterfly house. This is only open in the warmer weather, but is well worth a look when it is. Then you reach a little hobbit house which looks out over the valley, and offers a fabulous viewing point for train fans (the London/Norwich line runs straight across from left to right). There are lots more pigs up the top of the hill, and some cows, and a large zip-line for children over six.
As well as the animals in the farm park, you are often greeting by wondering peacocks, or cats, who roam freely around the farm. One of the cats led us straight to the door of the restaurant this week – so we had lunch there. I love the food at Jimmy’s restaurant. They have a huge gluten free menu, so there is a lot to choose from. I often end up having pork, as it is so good there, but I am yet to try anything I didn’t like! The kids menu (which can also be gf) is lovely and has plenty of healthy options as well as the very delicious sausages and mash, which are Amelia’s favourite.
Opening Times
Farm Shop
7 days a week 9.30am-5pm
Farm Park
10am - 4pm from Saturday 13th February
Jimmy’s Restaurant
Every day 9.30am – 5pm
Admission prices (from 13th February 2016)Admission to Jimmy’s Farm itself is free. This includes the restaurant, Farm Shop, shops and gardens.
Should you wish to visit the Nature Trail, where all the animals and childrens’ activities are, charges are as follows:
Child's Day Pass £4.50 (under 2′s go free)
Adult Day Pass £5.50
Family Day Pass £18.00 (2 adults & 2 children)
Concessions £4.50
Annual Family Passes are available at £90.00
www.jimmysfarm.com
Jimmy’s Farm
Pannington Hall Lane
Ipswich Suffolk
IP9 2AR
Entry to Jimmy’s Farm itself is free, but to enjoy the Nature Trail you need to pay the admission fee (see below for the most recent charges – under 2s go free). They are currently undergoing a major redevelopment of the nature trail, including plans for a brand new children’s play area, a wider variety of animals in new enclosures, including wallabies and meerkats, and an improved pathway for the woodland walk. There are also plans for a new walk-through aviary. The farm has recently reopened to visitors, but the work is still going on. There is plenty to see and do while it is changing, and our visit this week was just as enjoyable as normal.
The enclosures are spread out around the farm park, which is nestled on a fairly steep hill, so if you want to see everything, be prepared for a bit of a walk. As you first come in, you are greeted by the latest gorgeous litter of piglets, bunnies, guinea pigs and pygmy goats – all very popular with toddlers. They have a little area for holding animals at weekends and during school holidays. In the Spring, there are also opportunities to hold lambs and see baby chicks. Beyond the entrance there are donkeys, alpacas, ponies, sheep, ducks and rheas in the first field. Then you reach the first play area – which currently consists of climbing equipment, an enormous sandpit, and a giant trampoline pillow. If you manage to get beyond here (good luck!) you can then climb up the hill past emus and reindeer to the butterfly house. This is only open in the warmer weather, but is well worth a look when it is. Then you reach a little hobbit house which looks out over the valley, and offers a fabulous viewing point for train fans (the London/Norwich line runs straight across from left to right). There are lots more pigs up the top of the hill, and some cows, and a large zip-line for children over six.
As well as the animals in the farm park, you are often greeting by wondering peacocks, or cats, who roam freely around the farm. One of the cats led us straight to the door of the restaurant this week – so we had lunch there. I love the food at Jimmy’s restaurant. They have a huge gluten free menu, so there is a lot to choose from. I often end up having pork, as it is so good there, but I am yet to try anything I didn’t like! The kids menu (which can also be gf) is lovely and has plenty of healthy options as well as the very delicious sausages and mash, which are Amelia’s favourite.
Opening Times
Farm Shop
7 days a week 9.30am-5pm
Farm Park
10am - 4pm from Saturday 13th February
Jimmy’s Restaurant
Every day 9.30am – 5pm
Admission prices (from 13th February 2016)Admission to Jimmy’s Farm itself is free. This includes the restaurant, Farm Shop, shops and gardens.
Should you wish to visit the Nature Trail, where all the animals and childrens’ activities are, charges are as follows:
Child's Day Pass £4.50 (under 2′s go free)
Adult Day Pass £5.50
Family Day Pass £18.00 (2 adults & 2 children)
Concessions £4.50
Annual Family Passes are available at £90.00
www.jimmysfarm.com
Jimmy’s Farm
Pannington Hall Lane
Ipswich Suffolk
IP9 2AR
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